Former Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville once had one of the premiere wrestling programs in the state of Minnesota. The man responsible for developing this quality program was Ken Bergstedt. Coach Bergstedt compiled a 210-70-5 coaching record at Ramsey in his 22 years at the helm. The Rams captured five conference titles, seven district championships, three Region titles and won the Minnesota State title in 1960. That title came in the middle of a phenomenal 51 dual meet win streak. Ramsey produced 37 individual district champions and 24 individual region champions during this time. After finishing with a 5-6 record during the school's first season Bergstedt's Rams never finished lower than third from 1964 through 1966. They were undefeated for three years. The Rams program turned out such greats as Jim Axtel, who became a Big 10 champion and was an All-American, placing 3rd in the NCAA for the Gophers, and Jim Tanniehill who won 12 national titles in freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling and was an All-American at Winona State. Ken attended high school in Wisconsin,and wrestling was not offered in the schools he attended, but Ken participated in their intramural boxing. Even so, he was able to wrestle for the University of Minnesota on the same team with legendary Vern Gagne and Hall of Fame legends Garth Lappin and Alan Rice. Hall of Famer Eiler Hendrickson was also the assistant coach at that time. Ken coached at University High in 1947-48. He then introduced wrestling at Minneapolis North High School in 1948-49. Graduating from Minnesota in 49 he secured a teaching and head coaching position at Blue Earth High School. At Blue Earth he coached a young wrestler in future Hall of Famer Ron Malcolm. During Bergsted's second year at Blue Earth he was recalled by the Army and served 18 months as a platoon leader and infantry company commander during the Korean war. After returning to civilian life, Ken spent one year at St. Cloud Tech (1952-53) before coming to Alexander Ramsey in 1953. At Ramsey Ken was able to coach his two sons. Jim, who graduated in 1966, and, Bob, who graduated in 1969. Daughters Jacie and Sue graduated in 1964 and 1974. Ken's wife is Margaret. Former assistant coach to Bergstedt, Pasul Busch, says, "Ken was a promoter of wrestling. In those early years (1950's) he took groups of wrestlers out into the community and put on exhibitions to show what the differences were between amateur and "pro" wrestling. Ken was very adept at getting boys started and continuing in wrestling. Busch said, "He stressed a lifetime of skills, good sportsmanship, respect, discipline, hard work and the love competition. His wrestlers and his teams were known for these things and were "one tough baby on the mat!" John Labalestra, a two-time state champion for Bergstedt, says, "as a sophomore I was quickly impressed with his no nonsense, focused approach at developing his wrestlers. His program consisted of a strictly disciplined approach, respect for everyone participating while demanding the very best on could deliver." Former wrestling great, Jim Axtell, sums up what kind of coach Ken Bergsted was when he says," Not only was he a great wrestling coach producing such standouts as John and Mike Labalestra and Jim Tanniehill but he was also a tremendous spiritual and inspirational leader. We talk about building men and character a lot but he was a coach who actually did it on an ongoing basis from the most unskilled athlete to the "stars." Ken Bergstedt will always be a part of Minnesota high school wrestling legend.