Minnesota senator inducted into Hall of Fame

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone was inducted Saturday into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. <br><br>Wellstone, D-Minn., was recognized with House Speaker Dennis Hastert,

Saturday, June 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone was inducted Saturday into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla.

Wellstone, D-Minn., was recognized with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and horse jockey Pat Day as Outstanding Americans, which honors former wrestlers who have gone on to achieve national accomplishment.

While wrestling at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Wellstone was undefeated for two years. He also was Atlantic Coast Conference champion.

``Throughout my life, wrestling has been a passion for me, and it is wonderful to join the distinguished wrestling community of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame,'' Wellstone said.

The senator began wrestling as a high school sophomore and never lost a dual meet. He also was a junior high wrestling coach and refereed matches while a professor at Carleton College. His sons later participated in the sport.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, founded in 1976, is located on the campus of Oklahoma State University.