The Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at the Reed Conference Center hosted this year’s Honors Banquet for the Oklahoma Chapter.

Six recipients of the Class of 2009 were inducted with Lifetime Service to Wrestling Awards, an honor given annually to those coaches, officials and contributors who have given a minimum of 20 years of service to the sport of wrestling, to their communities, and most importantly, to the young people they have coached, taught and inspired. Jay Keel was inducted as an Outstanding American, someone with a wrestling background that has excelled in other walks of life, for his leadership in the Chickasaw Nation. Don Blasingame opened the evening and introduced Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, who welcomed everyone to this year’s Honors Banquet. Each honoree was introduced and presented their plaque and green jacket. Here is the Class of 2009.

Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Edward Evey A.L. Haizlip
Ellis Holt
Jay Keel
Gene Knight
Kenny Ritchie
Larry Winnard

Outstanding American from Oklahoma
Jay Keel