By Richard Immel
USA Wrestling

Photo Gallery: NWHOF Class of 2026 Presentation of Plaques

STILLWATER, Okla. – The 2026 National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Honors Weekend began on Friday evening at “The Hall” with the longstanding, traditional open to the weekend—The Presentation of Plaques.

Friends and family of the 10 Class of 2026 inductees were invited to the private ceremony within the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors. Doors were opened to the general public an hour after the ceremony, with streams of others joining in on the celebration. 

With each unveiling, inductees get to see their display case for the first time, as Hall of Fame announcer Sandy Stevens presides over the fun by introducing each new member and adding in her unique brand of humor. Of course, there is no shortage of pictures taken “for the gram.”

The moment of unveiling is always a mixture of emotions. Some inductees’ faces express joy and excitement, while others don awe, and maybe even a spattering of relief. It is always worth it to keep an eye on the inductees at the moment of unveiling for a true expression of the moment. Those of you who watch the groom during “Here Comes The Bride” will understand.

Four Distinguished Members are being inducted this year: Ben Askren, Tervel Dlagnev, Lee Roy Smith and Shannon Williams-Yancey. All four had memorable moments in front of their newly unveiled memorabilia cases and granite plaques. 

With over 20 years of service as Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Smith was now on the receiving end of the annual bash he throws to honor wrestling’s greats. He became the third Smith brother (Pat, John) to enter as a Distinguished Member, both of whom were in attendance. Stealing the show was the matriarch of the Smith family, Madeline Smith, who reminded all in attendance that she didn’t watch her son’s wrestling matches, electing instead to pray the rosary.

Askren and Dlagnev, both Olympians who took vastly different roads to the top of the sport, were surrounded by their families—wives and several young children—when the curtains dropped on their plaques. It was a great reminder of the support system a wrestler needs to succeed at any level, but also a reminder that there is more to life than wrestling. When you think about Askren’s battle through a recent lung transplant, that message hits closer to home now more than ever before. 

The energy exuded by Williams-Yancey as her plaque was unveiled lit up the room. Grinning ear-to-ear for the duration of Stevens’ introduction, it is ever apparent how Williams-Yancey was able to have so much success in the sport during a time when being a woman wrestler was challenging to say the least. She was one of the pioneers who opened doors for women to walk through today. Three of her teammates from the early days of U.S. women’s wrestling joined her in a wrestling stance for pictures at the end of the ceremony, keeping with a wrestling reunion tradition.

Another powerful moment from Friday night came at the unveiling of this year’s Meritorious Official, Zach Errett, who officiated at the highest levels of the sport for over three decades, including the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Errett’s father, David Errett, who was honored as a Meritorious Official by the Hall of Fame in 2019, rose out of his wheelchair to take a picture with his son after his case was revealed. Dozens of national officials made the trip to Stillwater to celebrate Errett this weekend, further emphasizing community in this sport.

Five other individuals were recognized with display cases on the evening with great fanfare: Medal of Courage recipient Patrick Morrissey, Order of Merit recipient James L. Porter, Outstanding American recipient Major General (Ret.) Mike Nardotti, Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award recipient Austin Collins and Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award recipient Natalie Radecki. 

Honors Weekend continues on Saturday morning with breakfast and the Honoree Reflection Program, where each honoree has two presenters speak on their behalf. The formal Induction Ceremony rounds out the weekend at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Oklahoma State University. 

Both Saturday functions—Honoree Reflection Program and Induction Ceremony—will be broadcast live on the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Rokfin Channel.