Western Stars Hall of Fame and Legend Award
This page is devoted to those Western Stars Wrestlers who have competed with our club and achieved notable accomplishments that have lead to their nomination and acceptance to our Hall of Fame classes and our ultimate "Western Stars Legend Award"
Western Stars Legend Award

The Western Stars Legend Award was started in 1999 after one of our wrestlers achieved an unimaginable 4 consecutive Missouri State Championships and a string of All-American and National Championship titles.  The purpose of the award was to acknowledge this individual as a wrestler who it was felt would become such a legend within our club that they would become a catalyst for inspiring and motivating future wrestlers for many years to come.

Western Stars Legend Award recipients will meet the following criteria:
  • Competed with the Western Stars or affiliated high school wrestling programs for at least 4 years
  • Achieved at least one state championship and one All-American title
  • Academic Excellence demonstrated by carrying at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Acted in the capacity of a leader and mentor for their fellow team mates
  • Set an exemplary example of great work ethic and sportsmanship
  • Nominated and confirmed by a majority number of the coaching staff
  • Deliver speech at the award banquet describing what wrestling has meant to you and your life and what your future aspirations will be both academically and athletically

Award will be a Prism/Pyramid shaped plaque inscribed with the following:

Congratulations The Western Stars Youth Wrestling Club has awarded you our Legends Award for your many years of leadership contribution, exemplary excellence, and victorious memories

 

(followed by their name and accomplishments)

 

 List of Past Recipients:

  1. 1998 - Louis Caputo

    • 4x Missouri State Champion as a Western Star 1998-2001

    • 3x Missouri State Champions as a Blue Springs Wildcat 2003-2005

    • NCAA D1 All-American 2007 for Harvard

  2. 2006 - Joshua Howk

    • 10 Years as a Western Stars Youth Wrestler

    • Tri-State 6&Under Most Outstanding Wresting in 1998 (MO,KS, OK)

    • 6x Missouri All-State Placer

    • 4x All-American Placer

    • 2005-2006 Missouri State 14u/120 Champion

    • Member of 2005-2006 14&Under Missouri State Championship Team

    • 2x State Qualifier and 3rd Place All-State as a Blue Springs Wildcat

    • BRUTE National Champion 2008

  3. 2006 - Jeff Bowman

    • 8 Years as a Western Stars Youth Wrestler

    • Missouri All State at 14u 205lbs in 2002

    • 3x Missouri All-State Placer as a Blue Springs Wildcat

    • 2005-2006 Missouri State High School Champion at 171lbs

    • Initiated high school wrestlers volunteer coaching program

    • Wrestling in College at Missouri Baptist University

  4. 2007 - Derick Sanders

    • 9 Years as a Western Stars Youth Wrestler

    • 2x Missouri State Champion at 14u and 3x Missouri All-State Placer career

    • 3x National Champion and 7x All-American Placer

    • Varsity Letterman for Blue Springs Wrestling as a Freshman 2008

 

Western Stars Hall of Fame
Missouri State Champions
6&Under:

8&Under:

  • Alisha Howk 2007
  • Jett Merlo 2007
  • Jordan Bellomy 1996

10&Under:

12&Under: 

  • Daniel Lewis 2006
  • Louis Caputo 1998
  • Louis Caputo 1999
  • Daniel Lewis 2007
  • Daniel Lewis 2008

14&Under:

High School Alumni:

  • Louis Caputo 2000
  • Louis Caputo 2001
  • Josh Howk 2006
  • Drew Kerber 2006
  • Derick Sanders 2006
  • Derick Sanders 2007
  • Jeff Bowman 2006