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Sikora Inducted Into Blugold Hall of Fame

Sunday, October 9th, 2022 -- 6:59 AM

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Neillsville native and former Warrior standout athlete, Derek Sikora was inducted into the Blugold Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on Friday, Oct. 7th at UW-Eau Claire.  Derek was one of 6 athletes inducted.  The Blugold Hall of Fame was established 49 years ago in 1973.  Since that time, the number of athletes, coaches and administrators who have been honored is now 253.  

After winning the WIAA Division II state championship at 152 in 2001 for Neillsville, Derek continued his wrestling success at UW-Eau Claire where he compiled a college record of 111-23.  While at Eau Claire, Derek qualified for the NCAA Division III national championships three times, winning the national championship at 165 as a senior in 2006.  He was also the WIAC Wrestler of the Year in 2006 and served three years as a team captain.

Derek also played football at Eau Claire, and was a four-year starter at defensive back, compiling 270 career tackles, ten tackles for loss and eight pass interceptions.  Derek also averaged nine yards per punt return during his college career.  He was a team captain as a senior in addition to being named the defensive MVP as a junior and special teams MVP as a senior.  Twice, he was named to the all-region third team.  

After graduationg in 2007 with a degree in kinesiology, Sikora spent time as a Blugold assistant wrestling and football coach before taking a position as assistant wrestling coach at UW-Oshkosh.  He returned to Eau Claire to serve as a paraeducator and substitute teacher in the Eau Claire Area School District for two years.  Sikora became the head Blugold wrestling coach for the 2009-10 season, then went to St. Cloud State as the head assistant wrestling coach for the 2010-11 campaign.  That year, he also became coordinator of state services for USA Wrestling and since 2011 has been manager of state services for USA Wrestling.  For four years, Sikora also was an assistant wrestling coach with the Wisconsin Cadet/Junior National Team.  

Derek and his wife, Keely, a registered nurse, are parents of three children: Kendell, 12; Sawyer, 9; and Brynley, 7.  They live in Waconia, Minnesota.

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