Longtime coaches Bob Lynn, Jim Chapman to be inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Two longtime Clark County high school coaches will be honored with induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Bob Lynn, who coached wrestling at Hudson’s Bay for 28 years, and longtime Columbia River coach Jim Chapman are to be honored with “Lifetime Service” awards. The pair will be inducted May 4 in a ceremony at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla.

“This is the ultimate award for an individual who has devoted their life to our great sport,” said Jim Meyerhoff, head of the Washington Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in a letter announcing 10 inductions in the Class of 2024. “These individuals have given countless hours of their time instilling young people with the skills needed to succeed in all areas of life.”

Lynn has been involved in wrestling for more than 60 years. From 1968 to 1996, he coached 39 state placers and four individual state champions at Hudson’s Bay, where he also taught math.

Lynn began serving as a referee in 1967, which he continued to do after he finished coaching. He is a longtime board member of the Evergreen Wrestling Officials Association and officiated the Mat Classic state championships multiple times.

As a wrestler, Lynn competed for Kelso High School and Central Washington University, where he earned a trip to the national tournament. Lynn also placed third in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1968.

Chapman coached Columbia River wrestling from 1969 to 1998. He also coached football for six years and tennis for 25 years before retiring in 2015.

Chapman coached River to the Class 3A state championship in 1986. His teams won 10 Clark County championships, including five straight from 1985-1989, and six regional championships.

Nine wrestlers earned individual state titles under Chapman, who was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

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