Former Enumclaw High School wrestling coach Lee Reichert is about to receive one of the highest honors any coach could receive — being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Reichert spent nearly four decades at EHS as a coach and left an enviable record: from 1996 to 2013, his team took 15 league titles, 18 subregional titles, 14 regional championships, four state team championships, 88 state placers, and 13 state champs.
Of course, when you ask him, he just brushes it off.
“Numbers are not important to me – it was the kids,” he said. “We just created a family approach to it.”
Before becoming an Enumclaw legend, he graduated from Tahoma High and spent four years wrestling at Central Washington University. From there, he was an assistant coast at Kent-Meridian High, and then moved on to Kenwood High as a co-coach.
Under his guidance, Kentwood won five league titles, three state titles, five individual championships, and 18 state placers.
In 2010, he was inducted in the Washington State Wrestling Coaches hall of fame.
His induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is taking place May 4 at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center, where he’ll receive the “Lifetime Service” award. The social hour starts 1 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 3 p.m.
If you can’t make it to the event, Lee, his family and friends are going to Headworks Brewing in Enumclaw from around 6 p.m. to closing.
“It’s a great honor. I’m truly humbled by the award,” Reichert said. “There’s some unbelievable fellow coaches that have been inducted and I feel honored to be a part of that group.”
Dan McCutchen, a parent of a former EHS wrestler, said he wasn’t surprised that Lee is receiving this honor.
“He’s an unbelievable man, coach and friend,” he said. “Unbelievable.”
To buy tickets for the event, head to ticketleap.events/tickets/wa-nwhof/2024-induction-ceremony. Student tickets are $26.30; adult tickets $21.50.
Other 2024 inductees include Sgt. Justin Norton (Deceased) for the “Medal of Courage” award, and Jim Chapman, Terry Cochran, Doug Cowan, Peter Hulswit, Scott Jones, Bob Lynn, Mark Perry, and Randy Tomaras for the “Lifetime Service” award.
Lee Reichert coaching junior Brad McCutchen with assistant coach Guy Hanson during the 2009 state championships; McCutchen got second place that year, but the Hornets won the state championship. Courtesy photo
