Wrestling inducts area luminaries into Hall of Fame

The Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will hold its 2007 induction banquet on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Park Place of Countryside.

Reception is set for 4 p.m. at 6240 Joliet Road in Countryside with dinner and ceremony starting at 5 p.m.

Honored for their lifetime service to wrestling, the Hall of Famers will have their names displayed in the John Vaughn Hall of Honors at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla.

The 2007 Hall of Fame class includes Ron Bessemer of Mt. Olive (Palatine graduate and former Harper College coach), Jim Cartwright of Conant High School (East Leyden graduate), Joe Cliffe of DeKalb and Fairbury, Larry Gassen of Downers Grove South, Rick Mann of Hersey High School (Morton East graduate), and Dale Pierre of Wheaton North High School (Champaign Central grad).

"These men have left the sport of wrestling and their associated schools a heritage of excellence that will motivate and inspire future generations," said Randall Konstans, who serves on the committee for the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hal of Fame.

Questions on the banquet should be directed to Ken Kraft at (847) 491-8885.