Dedicated to serving the sport ... Four locals honored by Idaho Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame

The Idaho Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame held its 2026 induction ceremony last Saturday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, with former Lakeland High wrestler and coach Rob Edelblute, former Coeur d'Alene High wrestler and current Viking wrestling coach Jeff Moffat and former coach Lloyd Moe receiving the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award and Coeur d'Alene native Frank Jasper receiving the "Outstanding American Award."

A 1989 graduate of Lakeland, Edelblute went 73-11 in his high school career, winning back-to-back state championships in 1988 and 1989. He continued his career at North Idaho College before becoming an assistant coach at Lakeland in 1999 and taking over as head coach in 2000. 

In 22 seasons as Lakeland coach, Edelblute led his team to state runner-up finishes in 2000, 2016 and 2018, third place in 2007 and 2017 and fourth place in 2015, 2020 and 2021. Under his leadership, Lakeland had 31 individual state champions and 77 state placers. 

"Rob was more than a coach to many of us," said Rob's nephew and current Lakeland coach Will Edelblute. "He was a steady positive role model who instilled values that extended far beyond the wrestling room. His mentorship shaped my own passion for wrestling and was a primary reason I chose to pursue coaching as a career." 

Moffat, a 1988 graduate of Coeur d'Alene High, won the state championship at 160 pounds in 1988. He later attended Lewis-Clark State College. Moffat took over the Viking program in 2001, where he sports an overall record of 320-89 overall record. Under Moffat, the Vikings won state 5A championships in 2010 and 2011. During his tenure, Coeur d'Alene has produced 28 state champions and 138 state medalists, along with seven Fargo All-Americans and one female Fargo All-American. 

"The Lifetime Service Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting and substantial contributions to wrestling and to the development of leadership and citizenship throughout the sport," longtime Columbia wrestling coach and current athletic director Todd Cady said. "Jeff Moffat exemplifies those ideals. His impact can be measured not only in wins, titles and trophies, but in the generations of wrestlers who left his program better prepared for life because of his guidance." 

Moe devoted his professional life to teaching in the Lakeland School District, retiring in 2025. He began helping coach in 1990, working with athletes from St. Maries, Lakeland and Timberlake high schools. In 1998, Moe launched the Battle of the North youth wrestling initiative, a no-cost program that opened doors for more than 1,000 boys and girls and helped establish a lasting wrestling culture in northern Kootenai County. 

Jasper, who wrestled at Coeur d'Alene High from 1974 to 1976, and later at Pasco (Wash.) College, became a journeyman ironworker before studying sports medicine at Eastern Washington University. He is widely recognized for portraying Brian Shute in the 1985 film "Vision Quest," a role that made him a memorable figure in American wrestling culture. 

Jasper remains an advocate for wrestling through support for clinics, speaking engagements, podcasts, national events and the 2016 Wrestling World Cup. 

Kyler Scott from Century High in Pocatello was awarded the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award. The award is based on three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; GPA and class rank and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community. Scott was third in the girls tournament in 2023, 2024 and 2026, and was runner-up in 2025 and held a 4.163 grade point average in school. 

Nathan Gugelman II of American Falls won the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. A four-time state champion, Gugelman finished with an 183-4 record.