Gregg Greeno

Born in South Dakota and raised in South and North Dakota, Gregg came to Minnesota and developed one of the State's finest wrestling programs at St. Michael-Albertville High School. During his 28 years at the helm(1980-2008), the STMA "Knights" won six State team titles. He also guided STMA to 20 conference titles, (15) Wright County, (3) Rum River, and (2) Mississippi-8, as well as, 16 Section titles. Ten of those teams reached the State team finals. Gregg also coached 86 Minnesota State placewinners (top 6) and 21 individual Minnesota State champions. An all-around star athlete at Jamestown High School, in North Dakota, Greeno won an individual State title in wrestling at 132 pounds in 1973, graduating that same year. After high school, he attended Jamestown College, where he wrestled for his father, Rollie Greeno, Sr. longtime coach at Jamestown College in football, wrestling, track and field, and cross country. While at Jamestown College, Gregg earned 15 varsity letters while competing in football(4), wrestling(4), track and field(4), baseball(2), and cross country(1). He became Jamestown College's first "All-American" ever in the sport of wrestling, placing fourth at the NAIA National Tourney in 1976. Another sixth place finish in 1977 made Greeno a rare two-time "All- American". Graduating from Jamestown College in 1978, Greeno served as assistant wrestling coach for 2 years(1978-1980) and taught high school math at Jamestown High School. He also officiated wrestling, while in Jamestown. He moved on to take the head wrestling coaching position at St. Michael-Albertville in 1980 at the tender age of 25 and teach high school math. He still teaches math at STMA, is the currently the head cross country coach for boys and girls, and helps coach wrestling at the Jr. High level for the Knights. Gregg's success as a wrestling coach has been well recognized by his peers, as he was twice selected as Minnesota High School Wrestling (Class AA) "Coach of the Year", in 1996 and 2004. He was inducted into the Dave Bartelma-Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 and was a 1987 inductee into the Jamestown College Athletic Hall of Fame. Gregg was also elected as president of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association and served in 1993. He has well served the wrestling community with his many contributions. Gregg has been married to Jeri, coming up on 28 years and they have 3 children, Dan(24), Sam(22), and Hannah(8). Dan earned "All-State" honors in 3 sports his senior year at STMA in cross country, wrestling, and track, including an individual State title at 119 pounds in wrestling. He was also a 4-time NCAA Division-3 "All-American" at Bethel University in cross country and track. Sam will graduate from Drake University this month (May) and was a 3-time "All-Conference" cross country runner at STMA while competing for his Dad. Hannah likes all sports, especially mountain biking with Dad. Gregg, Jeri, and Hannah live in St. Michael. Former Hall of Fame coach, John Grygelko, whose grandsons (John, Jake, and Joe) wrestled at STMA under Greeno said, "He's the type of coach I would want my grandson to wrestle for." Grygelko's grandsons were all highly successful at STMA, contributing to several State championships, both team and individually. In summary, Minnesota Chapter President, Spencer Yohe, said, "Gregg has had an outstanding career serving youth and young wrestlers and is one of Minnesota's elite coaches over the past 30 years."

Awards:

Year
2012
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Minnesota

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