Since 1965 – When Miami Norland captured the first ever Florida state high school wrestling title, the sport has indeed flourished, crowing state and individual champions.
Last weekend, the Florida High School Athletic Association celebrated its 60th anniversary, crowning champions in the individual weight classes as well as in the three (1A, 2A, 3A) boys’ classes as well as the girls’ class for the fourth year.
Wrestling in the Sunshine State has grown to a point where it is now recognized nationally thanks to coaches, wrestlers and major contributors who have helped to elevate the sport.
Every year, those officials, coaches, media members and wrestlers are recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Florida Chapter and its progressive state leaders – such as Gary Townsend (Executive Director), Don Smith (Vice President), Jane Townsend (Secretary), Emily Drews (Treasurer), Sam Agresti (Security), Bill Combs (Operations), Robert Matyskiel (Sergeant at Arms), Robert Burns (Nominations), Pete Collins (Museum Curator), Robert Thomas (Media Services), Jeff Malavsky (Development), and Cecelia Solomon (Administrative Assistant) who will be bringing this year’s Hall of Fame event on Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, 2025, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.
BROWARD COUNTY’S CHRIS HIXON AND JON VOGT WILL BE INDUCTED
Chris Hixon is being inducted posthumously for the “Medal of Courage”. After five years of active duty in the United States Navy, Chris started his coaching career in 1991. He held the head coaching position at Ft. Lauderdale, Blanche Ely, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools. In addition to coaching, Chris served as the Athletic Director for Blanche Ely, South Broward, and Marjory Stoneman Dougals High Schools.
Throughout his career as an athletic director, he earned the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, “State Award of Merit” from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and “Athletic Director of the Year” from Broward County.
Unfortunately, on February 14, 2018, Chris was killed while saving students during a mass gunman shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
It is the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s honor to welcome Chris.
Jon Vogt is being inducted for “Lifetime Service” as an official. A one-time Miramar High standout state champion, Jon became an F.H.S.A.A official in1989. Since 2008, he has been the President of the Broward County Athletic Association Wrestling Officials Association. Throughout his career, Jon has been selected to officiate the State Championships thirteen times, and the Regional Championships more than thirty times. In 2005, he was inducted into the Broward County Wrestling Hall of Fame.
In addition to Hixon and Vogt, others going into the HOF include Terry Brockland, Frank Fuder, Brian K. Jones, Michael Madry, this year’s state tournament head official Jeremy Walton and Florida Chapter John Vaughn Award Ricky Marcus.
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