COUNTRYSIDE – Several area individuals were honored over the weekend at the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame and All-State Awards banquets.

On Saturday, Lincoln-Way West and Central coach and Providence wrestler Mark Ruettiger received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while former Morris coach and wrestler George Dergo and Lincoln-Way wrestler Shane Zajac also were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The next day, Lincoln-Way West coach Brian Glynn was recognized as Class 3A Coach of the Year, and Warriors athletic director Ted Robbins was honored as the Class 3A Administrator of the Year. In addition, Lockport’s Matt Bartley was selected as Class 3A Assistant Coach of the Year, and St. Rita’s Austin O’Connor, who lives in Lockport, was named as the organization’s Class 3A Outstanding Wrestler of the Year.

Ruettiger, Illinois’ first four-time state champion who also enjoyed a successful career as Knights coach before becoming a Warriors assistant, was humbled to be honored.

“The sport of wrestling has given me so much and has been part of my life for the past 44 years,” Ruettiger said. “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award is one of my proudest moments in the sport of wrestling.”

Glynn was recognized for leading the Warriors to a 24-4 record and earning the program’s second state appearance and first trophy in the sport after claiming third place.

“This is such a great honor to be recognized by my peers and coaches around the state for all the hard work the coaching staff and wrestlers put in this year,” Glynn said.

Robbins, a longtime administrator at both Lincoln-Way’s Central and West campuses, has hosted numerous postseason tournaments over the years.

“I am humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award from the IWCOA,” Robbins said. “The Lincoln-Way community has always been one of the premier wrestling areas in the state, and being a part of that great tradition has been an honor and privilege. We have great support from the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 administration, Dr. (Monica) Schmitt, and the parents who make all these awards possible.”

Bartley is a longtime assistant under both Joe Williams and current coach Josh Oster and was on a staff that led the Porters to a 29-0 mark and their first state title. And O’Connor capped his historic career by becoming one the state’s few four-time champions.