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Paynesville Press - November 12, 2003

Wrestler inducted to Hall of Fame

By Michael Jacobson

John Morgan - the son of Jim and Olive Morgan of Rice Lake - was inducted into the Bison Hall of Fame at North Dakota State University in October.

John Morgan Morgan, a 1981 Minnesota high school state champion at Bloomington Kennedy High School, was a four-time All American at NDSU from 1983-86, compiling a record of 98-36 for the Bisons. He now lives with his wife and kids in Denver.

After graduating, he was the national Greco-Roman champion four times, from 1988 to 1991. He competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, finishing seventh, and was the alternate for the 1992 Olympics.

John Morgan, shown after earning a wrestling victory for the U.S. World Team, was recently inducted to the Bison Hall of Fame at North Dakota State University. The son of Jim and Olive Morgan, who live on Rice Lake, he wrestled in the 1988 Olympics and was a member of the U.S. World Team from 1988-91.

Jim and Olive Morgan have owned a cabin on Rice Lake since 1978 and have lived there full time since retiring in 1992. They have 12 children and have had two sons wrestle in the Olympics.

Gordy Morgan, a state high school champion in 1985, was an All American and Big Ten champion for the Minnesota Gophers. He also was a four-time national champion in Greco-Roman wrestling and competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Both Morgans attended the 1996 Olympics, while only Jim was able to watch John in Seoul in 1988.

Marty Morgan, their youngest son, won a Division II national title with NDSU as a freshman and was a three-time All American for the Gophers, including a Division I national championship in 1991. A two-time national champion in Greco-Roman, he was an Olympic alternate in 1996. He is a member of the Hall of Fame at the University of Minnesota and is now an assistant head coach for the Gophers wrestling team.

Jim and Olive's three oldest sons were boxers, all turning professional, including Danny Morgan, who twice fought for a world title. While Jim was coaching the older boys in boxing, Olive brought the younger boys to wrestling practice because they were bouncing off the walls at home, said Jim.



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