R. Wayne Baughman

Wayne Baughman was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended John Marshall Jr-Sr High School (1953-59) and the University of Oklahoma (1959-1963). He earned letters in football and wrestling in high school. Wayne concluded his 27th and final year as the United States Air Force Academy’s Head Wrestling Coach, as well as his 50-year involvement as a competitor, coach and administrator in Wrestling in 2007. From 1963 through 1972, he made three Olympic teams, eight World teams (including a freestyle/Greco-Roman double in 1965), and won 16 national titles (he never placed lower than third at a national event). He is also the only person who has won national championships in the four recognized wrestling styles (collegiate, freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Sombo), and one of only two wrestlers to have placed in the Olympics and/or World Championships in the three international styles (FS, GR, & Sombo).

Wayne elected to go with coaches Port Robertson and Tommy Evans at OU. The four years Wayne was at OU, the team won the NCAA Team Championship twice and took second behind OSU the other two years. As an individual, Wayne won the NCAA Championship once and finished 2nd twice. He also won the Big 8 Championship twice, was 2nd once and received both the Most Falls Trophy and Outstanding Wrestler Award his senior season (1963).

Wayne was on three Olympic teams (64, 68 & 72) and eight World Championship (WC) teams. He was head coach of the 1976 US Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team. He also coached five world Championship teams including both FS and GR. His record in 25 National Championships is 16 first place finishes, 7 seconds, and 2 third place finishes.

Wayne’s first Air Force assignment was to Tinker AFB, OK. He then spent five years as an instructor and coach at the USAF Academy Prep School, five years as Chief of Air Force Programs (Athletic Director of the entire Air Force) at HQ USAF, then nine years as an instructor and head wrestling coach at the USAF Academy. After retiring from USAF active duty, he served as Director of Operations and Assistant General Manager for the 1986 World Cycling Championships, wrote the book ”Wrestling On and Off the Mat” and did speaking engagements and Clinics. Wayne returned to the head wrestling coach position as a civilian. He served as an Athletes Representative on many wrestling committees.

Kyle Klingman, associate director at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum, documented the impact of Baughman's career by stating, "despite all of his accomplishments in wrestling, it's the praise of his peers that speaks loudest for Baughman. John Peterson, a gold medalist at the 1976 Olympics, calls Baughman a man of great integrity. Peterson speaks with reverence about the time Baughman stood up to the AAU when the 'committee' questioned how well John and his brother Ben would do at the Olympics in 1972. (Ben and John eventually won a gold and silver medal respectively). Five-time world medalist Larry Kristoff calls him one of the classiest guys he's ever met and wrestling icon Dan Gable calls Baughman 'one tough dude'."

There have been 33 native Oklahomans who have been inducted as Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. They are: Stan Abel (1990), David “Buddy” Arndt (1981), Wayne Baughman (1982), Doug Blubaugh (1979), Conrad Caldwell (1981), Tommy Chesbro (1995), Fendley Collins (1976), Kendall Cross (2002), Tommy Evans (1976), Ross Flood (1978), Art Griffith (1976), Josiah Henson (2006), Stanley Henson (1978), Danny Hodge (1976), Jess Hoke, (1977), Dick Hutton (1995), Dr. Melvin Jones (1996), Clifford Keen (1976), Paul Keen (1977), Frank Lewis (1979), Guy Lookabaugh (1983), Joe McDaniel (1979), Kenny Monday (2001), Bobby Pearce (1981), Rex Peery (1976), Grady Peninger (1987), Port Robertson (1977), John Smith (1997), Pat Smith (2006), Ray Swartz (1990), Jack Van Bebber (1976), Wayne Wells (1982), and Shelby Wilson (1982).

After completing his competitive wrestling career Wayne became involved in ultra-endurance events. He has completed the Pikes Peak Marathon five times, the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii, the Leadville 100 Mile Trail run twice, The “Bad Water 146” mile run, the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and Back Again, the Hardscrabble Pass 100 mile Bicycle. Lastly, Wayne is included in the Mike Chapman book, “The Toughest Men in Sports” and was the model for the man at the base of the Air Force Monument in downtown Oklahoma City.