One of Minnesota High School Wrestling's pioneers is Frank Huelskamp. As a high school senior, with the help of a faculty supervisor, started the wrestling program at Mankato High School. He became the head wrestling coach as an 18 year old senior! As a coach, athletic director and wrestling official, Huelskamp truly epitomized the initial efforts made by some pioneers, like himself, in getting wrestling to grow and prosper in Minnesota. With just two years of high school wrestling as a wrestler/coach, Huelskamp went on the wrestle for the legendary Rummy Macias at Mankato State College from 1952 to 1954. He was called into military service after his third season, but was able to wrestle while serving. He competed for the 3rd Army in 1951-52. He even reached the final 1952 Olympic Trials, held at Iowa State University. After his military service, Frank started the wrestling program at Crosby-Ironton in l954-55. In l955-56 he assisted Wally Johnson at the University of Minnesota. He also coached the Macalester College wrestling team that same season. From l956 to l961 he coached at University High School. "U High" won the district title in l960, which included the entire Lake Conference at that time. They also won the Minnesota Valley Conference three times. Huelskamp coached a total of nine seasons. In l961 he took on the job of Athletic Director at Brooklyn Center and continued in that position until l966. That year he accepted the athletic director position at Fridley High School. He was proud of three coaches he got to observe during the years 1966 to 1972 in Don Meyers, Joe Frank and Walt Wenholtz. They were all highly respected in the state of Minnesota as Fridley High School was a powerhouse in wrestling at that time. In l958 Huelskamp co-authored the first "true" wrestling bibliography with Don Meyers, which he presented at the National Physical Education Convention in Kansas City. During the l959-60 season Huelskamp started conducting official high school clinics for the Minnesota State High School League. He loved the opportunity to work with the sport he loved and got to travel the state and see coaches and officials in their working environments. He conducted these clinics until l977. In all, he spent 30 years in wrestling as a participant, coach and official. "It was a most pleasurable opportunity to work with the sport I loved and got to travel the state and see coaches and officials in their working environment," said Huelskamp. Modest in speaking of his efforts, Huelskamp truly one of the pioneers that helped wrestling be recognized in Minnesota. His early contributions in starting wrestling programs as a coach, officiating and conducting rules interpretation meetings throughout the state, and his leadership as an Athletic Director served the sport of wrestling well. His efforts have helped wrestling in Minnesota prosper through the years.