In 1978 MATPAC Wrestling was established in Bismarck, North Dakota by Hall of Fame wrestling coach, Milo Trusty. MATPAC began with Milo’s vision of raising his son in the sport he loved. The vision soon took shape as a club with just a handful of kids. This handful soon grew to hundreds, and within a couple of years, MATPAC turned into one of the Nation’s elite wrestling clubs.

By the early 80’s, MATPAC Wrestling was quickly making a name for itself by competing toe-to-toe at the Regional level with some of the best “handpicked” State teams the Midwest had to offer. During this decade, MATPAC trained wrestlers, competing for either Bismarck High or Bismarck Century, dominated the State High School scene, winning nine State team championships! 1987 was the first year a MATPAC wrestler earned the “Mr. Wrestler” award for the States’ Most Outstanding Wrestler. Steve McCormick, Troy Steiner, and Monte Trusty all brought home this award in consecutive years, finishing up the 80’s.

On the National stage, Troy Steiner became the first of six MATPAC wrestlers to win a USA Wrestling Cadet/Junior National title, walking away with the 123 lb. Junior Freestyle Championship in 1988. The following year teammate Monte Trusty was the first MATPAC wrestler to be selected to compete for the USA team at the prestigious Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, dominating his Pennsylvania opponent, leading the USA team to victory.

The 90’s were an exciting decade for the club, as major college wrestling coaches flocked to this “hotbed”, gulping up MATPAC members left and right for their programs. At the State level, MATPAC wrestlers again continued its dominance by winning seven State HS team titles and five “Mr. Wrestler” awards for BHS or CHS. Also during this time, incredible BHS and CHS were each ranked #1 in the Nation, and at one time they were ranked #1 and #2!

Also, a first for the club was the crowning of its first four-time State champion, Troy Sabot.

The National buzz continued with four USA Wrestling Cadet/Junior National titles—with Chad Renner, Ryan Kringlie, Jeramie Welder, and Mike Seeger bringing home titles. 1993 Junior National champion, Jeramie Welder won his National title over MATPAC teammate Troy Sabot. Welder later went on to add a FILA Espoir National title to his resume.

The Dapper Dan selection committee seemed to take note again of the talent MATPAC was producing, selecting Chad Renner and Kasey Gilliss to represent the USA squad in 1991 and 1995. Both MATPAC wrestlers notched victories with convincing wins over their Pennsylvania opponents. Renner was voted the event’s Outstanding Wrestler, dominating four time Pennsylvania State Champion and future NCAA DI Champion, John Hughes. Both Gilliss and Renner later earned NCAA DI All-American honors for University of Iowa and Oregon State University.

1992 marked the first time a MATPAC wrestler stood on top of the podium at the collegiate level, where Iowa Hawkeye Troy Steiner dominated the 142 pound NCAA DI field and Monte Trusty burned through the 142-pound weight class at the NAIA National Tournament. Not to be outdone by his twin brother, Terry Steiner added an NCAA DI title in 1993 also being voted the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. Mike Seeger “raised the bar” by becoming the first MATPAC wrestler to win multiple collegiate national titles, winning the 158-pound NAIA National title in 1995 and 1996 for University of Mary and MATPAC coach Milo Trusty.

This decade also saw MATPAC wrestlers making their debut on foreign territories with its incredible eight members earning spots on USA World teams at the Cadet, Junior, Espoir, and Senior levels. Legendary MATPAC member Troy Steiner earned the club’s first World medal by winning the silver medal @ 62 kg. at the 1992 World Cup Championships in Moscow, Russia.

The 21st century has been no different as the club continues its consistent “factory-like” production of elite wrestlers at all levels. Bismarck High School continues its winning ways by adding another seven State team titles to its list and eight consecutive State dual titles (inception of dual format-2000). Current Augsburg College (Minneapolis, Minnesota) NCAA DIII 2 X All-American Travis Lang became the club’s second four time State High School champion, only to be outdone by fellow teammate and current University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Scott Glasser, with an unprecedented FIVE State titles! MATPAC wrestlers were also accountable for seven more “Mr. Wrestler” awards!

MATPAC continues its presence on the National scene with National titles from Jeremy Engelhardt, Travis Lang (FILA Cadet), Scott Glasser (NHSCA) and Eric Sabot (NJCAA). While wrestling for Coach Trusty at the University of Mary, Engelhardt earned the distinct honor of becoming the only MATPAC wrestler to win three collegiate National titles! On top of the National titles, MATPAC also churned out dozens of USA Wrestling Cadet/Junior and collegiate All Americans at various levels.

In 2004, Founder and Coach Milo Trusty retired from the MATPAC and turned the club over to two of MATPAC’s long-time wrestlers/coaches Jeff Schumacher and Shannon Johnson. Milo moved to Red Feather Lakes, Colorado to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Not only did Milo build a premier program that focused on technique and conditioning, which produced World-class wrestlers, MATPAC has also developed some of the most respected coaches, educators, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, business people, and government leaders the Nation has to offer.

Today, MATPAC has come full circle as the Trusty’s look to establish their proven program to the great wrestling families of Colorado.

JUST THE FACTS

700+ USA WRESTLING FR/GR State Champions

150+ USA WRESTLING FR/GR Regional Champions

7 USA WRESTLING FR/GR CADET-JR-ESPOIR National Champions

8 USA WRESTLING FR/GR Cadet-JR World Team Members

30+ High School All Americans

3 Asics High School "Dream Team" Members

1 FILA World Cup Silver Medalist

200+ High School State Finalists

3 Dapper Dan Classic USA Team Members

100+ Collegiate All Americans (NCAA DI, II, III, NAIA & NJCAA)