Class of 2022
Chad Laxton
Inductee
Chad graduated form Deshler High School in 1994. As a member of the Tigers wrestling team, he was a four-time state champion with an individual record of 109-1. Chad helped lead this team to runner-up state finishes in 1993 and 1994. He recorded the most pins in the fastest time at the state tournaments by any wrestler in 1902-1903. He was chosen by the coaches as the most outstanding wrestler in the state in 1994.
Chad began his coaching career at Huntsville High School in 1997 as Assistant Coach to Ben Balentine, a former Deshler graduate and state champion wrestler. In 2001-2002, Chad was the Head Wrestling Coach at Buckhorn High School before leaving to take the job as assistant wrestling coach at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee. He was Assistant Coach for 5 years in which time they won 5 state championships. As Head Wrestling Coach at Bradley Central for 2 years, the team won state championships both years. Chad left the high school ranks after the 2009 season but is still teaching at Bradley Central at the present time.