Sweet Home High School wrestling coach Steve Thorpe, chairman of the Oregon Wrestling Association, has been named the 2018 USA Wrestling President’s Award winner.
Thorpe was selected as the winner by USA Wrestling’s President Bruce Baumgartner, the most decorated American wrestler in history.
The President’s Award was created in 2006 by then USA Wrestling President Jim Ravannack to recognize exemplary state chairpersons.
Thorpe, of Sweet Home, was selected as the award winner for his work with the OWA, the state affiliate of USA Wrestling. Since becoming the chairman of the OWA in 2010, USA Wrestling membership in Oregon has grown every year. During the most recent membership season, membership total eclipsed 8,000 for the first time, with 8,138 members.
With his selection as the President’s Award winner for 2018, Thorpe will attend the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, later this month and cheer on the men’s freestyle team as they seek to repeat as world champions.
In addition to his selection as the President’s Award Winner, Thorpe has been selected by his fellow state chairpersons as the chairperson of the National Council of State Chairpersons. With this position, he now serves as a member of USA Wrestling’s Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee of the Organization.
“It is clear that Steve is a great leader and very deserving of this award,” said Tony Black, USA Wrestling’s Director of State Services. “His involvement as a board member is great for Oregon and the west region; and the board is better with him as well.”
A math teacher at Sweet Home High School, Thorpe will soon begin his 23rd season as the head wrestling coach.