Matthew T. Treaster

Four Time Kansas State Wrestling Champion, 1981-1984
Three-time Letterwinner for the U.S. Naval Academy, 1985-1987
NCAA All-American, 1987

The son of Arden and Sharon Treaster, Matt Treaster and his three brothers were raised on the family farm in rural Mitchell County. All four brothers wrestled for the Beloit High School Trojans and Matt concluded his high school wrestling career as only the third four-time Kansas state wrestling champion.

Wrestling captured the attention of Matt as a seven year old competitor and continues today. As a youngster, Matt won the Kids Federation State Tournament in 1977 and 1981 and continued his success through high school as a four-time State Champ; during which time the Beloit Trojans won six consecutive Kansas State wrestling team titles from 1980 to 1985.

Matt epitomized the true student athlete while at Beloit High. "Matt was exceptional," said former Beloit High School wrestling coach Ken Piazza. "The thing I remember about Matt was how much of a great impression he made on me. It is very rare for a coach to have an athlete as persistent and dedicated as Matt." Not only was Matt a three sport letterwinner (football, wrestling, and track), he was elected Student Body President, was a member of the National Honor Society, was a founder of his school's Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) chapter, won state honors in forensics, and was active in a host of other activities and organizations.

After graduation from Beloit High School in 1984, Matt won appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While at Annapolis, Matt won three varsity letters in wrestling and earned All-American honors by placing 5th at the 1987 NCAA Wrestling Championships. "I coached for twenty-eight years and Matt was one my favorite recruits," commented former Naval Academy wrestling coach Ed Peery. "Mart just knew how to win and always had his head in the match and his intensity could burn a hole through you. But what I remember most was his incredible work ethic and his exemplary character." For example, Mart earned his wings and during his five years of active duty with the Navy, served as a Naval jet pilot. At the conclusion of his Naval flight career, Mart entered the University of Kansas School of Law from which he graduated in 1995, and continues to pursue a career in law.

Mart's involvement in wrestling has never ceased. For example, he has been an assistant wrestling coach at Cox High School in Virginia, and Chaparral, Spring Hill, and Newton High Schools in Kansas. Currently, Mart serves as the Rice County Attorney and resides with his wife Lisa in Newton, Kansas.