When it comes to outstanding accomplishments, look no further than Dr. Walter Grote.

He was a captain of the Scotch Plains High School wrestling team, a captain of the Cornell University wrestling team, a 4-time AAU and 4-time USWF All-American, an Army assistant coach at West Point, an alternate on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team, and a 4-time New Jersey Senior AAU champion.

Away from the sport, the 71-year-old is affiliated with Newton Medical Center and St. Clare’s Hospital. Dr. Grote practices internal medicine with Premier Health Associates and regenerative/sports medicine with Prolotherapy and Integrated Medicine.

Now that is what you call an Outstanding American, one who has been voted into the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

His wrestling career began at the Union County high school where he was a team co-captain, a District 12 champion and then a USWF freestyle state champ. A two-time NCAA qualifier, he was a 3-time team captain at Cornell, made All-Ivy, and held the school record for season and career falls for 37 years.

In 1974 he won the Wilkes Open, in 1975 was a Michigan Open champ, a Trenton State champ, and that year was Metro New York Wrestler of the Year. In 1978, representing the New York Athletic Club, he won the national title in the 1978 USWF tournament.

He remains a volunteer coach for Kittatinny Regional in Newton, as well as Blair Academy.

Grote went on to graduate from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1979.

He is current board member and past president of the American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine, past president of Newton Medical Center Department of Medicine and board member and chairman of the American Board of Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine.

He and his wife Debbie reside in Branchville. They have seven children and nine grandchildren.