A native of Goodland, Kansas, Jim Beltch was a two-time NAIA All-America performer at Fort Hays State in wrestling.

He wrestled for four years at FHSU from 1958-62. He was the second All-America performer in program history at FHSU, placing third nationally at 115 pounds in 1961 and was national runner-up at 115 pounds in 1962. He gave FHSU a four-year run of having an All-America performer at 115 pounds, following Dale Votapka who was the program's first All-America performer with the same progression of national placements in 1959 and 1960 (3rd and 2nd).

Beltch was a four-time Missouri Valley AAU champion.

He went on to coach in Kansas for 33 years, which included stops at Atwood Junior High School, Wellington High School, and Lawrence High School.

He also served as a referee for 35 years at the youth, high school, and junior college levels.

He was inducted into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.