Carole Wiedeman’s wrestling career has not required her to actually spend much time on the mat. But one of Colorado’s newest Hall of Famers is an outstanding representative of the backbone of the sport — people behind the scenes who are integral to wrestling’s success. Without them, the sport would not be what it is today.

Wiedeman has devoted decades to wrestling, taking care of the details that made every meet and tournament she worked a first-class event. It has been a love affair that has cultivated years of dedication and helping countless wrestlers achieve their goals.

Along with her husband, Rocky (also a Hall of Fame member), Carole helped organize a youth wrestling club in Monte Vista in 1971. That was the springboard to years of involvement with wrestling that resulted in her criss-crossing the nation. Her duties included working as a pairer and clinician at local, state, regional and national tournaments at all levels; and a long association with USA Wrestling that saw her retire with the rank of 1E (exceptional).

“Wrestling has always been just such an important part of our lives,” Wiedeman said. “Once you get involved, it seems like your family just grows because you meet so many wonderful people along the way. You have family everywhere.”

Wiedeman got her start running local tournaments, then worked her way up the ladder. She became a clinician at several national tournaments, and helped establish Colorado as a state known for its leadership and organization when it came to managing big tournaments. When her crew arrived, people knew the tournament was in great hands. Our Colorado wrestling family is very well respected,” Wiedeman said. “We would walk into a tournament with all the pairers and our people and everybody would say, ‘OK, it will be a good tournament. The Colorado people are here.’ That happened more than once and it was always a good feeling to know that people trusted us and believed in us.”

Wiedeman’s long list of accomplishments include helping direct and oversee six junior national tournaments and four cadet nationals, as well as serving as a pairer at the world team trials. She has also been in charge of awards presentations at the 3A Colorado State High School meet for 18 years, and has directed numerous college tournaments, as well as countless junior high and high school tournaments over the years.

At the same time, she has also taken on a long list of other behind-the-scenes tasks that are essential to the sport. “You cook for the wrestlers, you drive at night so they can sleep, you help them in every way you can,” she said with a laugh. “Those are the things you do so your wrestlers are ready.”

Wiedeman’s love for wrestling is no doubt deep — it is grounded in the same fundamentals that attract so many people to the sport for a lifetime.  “Wrestling is such a great sport because it teaches lessons about life challenges,” Wiedeman said. “You have to depend on your inner self — that’s what makes you a stronger person. When you wrestle, you learn all those things about yourself and what it takes to succeed. Those are things that go with you for the rest of your life. Frankly, this world doesn't teach people enough life lessons like that. That’s why wrestling is just so special.”

Wiedeman’s husband was inducted two years ago. She was ecstatic over Rocky’s honor, but admits she never thought about earning similar recognition. “I am so excited, it’s hard to express,” she said. “I just stayed involved with wrestling because it such a great sport and it attracts so many wonderful people. I definitely never thought about something like this.”