2017 Inductee Jeffery Pelton, 2007
Jeffery Pelton lettered in just one sport at Bellevue High School, but earned the ultimate success in that sport (wrestling) becoming a State Champion in 2007.
Earning four varsity letters along the way, Pelton’s name became synonymous with Redmen wrestling. He left his mark as one of the best Redmen wrestlers in our rich wrestling history. His accomplishments are impressive:
Three-time Northern Ohio League champ, four time Sectional Champ, three time District Champ, only three-time State placer in Redmen history, State runner-up as a sophomore at 103 pounds, State runner-up as a junior at 119 pounds, and State Champion at 135 pounds his senior year. He defeated St. Paris Graham wrestler Ben Jordan 2-1 in the finale, a match billed as the best in the tournament that season.
Pelton turned in a record of 41-1 his senior season with 26 wins coming by pin. His career mark stands at 150-13 and he was the youngest Redmen wrestler to hit 100 wins. His 150 wins still ranks second all-time at BHS. He was a member of the Dapper Dan and Ohio Dream teams in 2007, was two-time Redmen MVP, and two-time captain for the Redmen.
He continued his wrestling success at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH where he was a four-time NAIA/NCAA All-American Wrestler. In 2009 he went 32-2 and placed third nationally at 149 pounds. In 2010, Jeffery was the NAIA National Champion at 149 pounds with a 24-0 record. He finished third nationally in 2011 at 149 pounds, and also in 2013 at 157 pounds when Notre Dame competed as a NCAA Division II school for the first time. He finished his college career with 108-11 record. He helped the Notre Dame College Wrestling Team win a NAIA National Championship in 2010, a first for that school. His team also placed third a year later.
Jeffery graduated from Notre Dame College in 2014 with a degree in criminal justice. Today, Jeffery is a professional MMA fighter living in Lakewood, Ohio.
Earning four varsity letters along the way, Pelton’s name became synonymous with Redmen wrestling. He left his mark as one of the best Redmen wrestlers in our rich wrestling history. His accomplishments are impressive:
Three-time Northern Ohio League champ, four time Sectional Champ, three time District Champ, only three-time State placer in Redmen history, State runner-up as a sophomore at 103 pounds, State runner-up as a junior at 119 pounds, and State Champion at 135 pounds his senior year. He defeated St. Paris Graham wrestler Ben Jordan 2-1 in the finale, a match billed as the best in the tournament that season.
Pelton turned in a record of 41-1 his senior season with 26 wins coming by pin. His career mark stands at 150-13 and he was the youngest Redmen wrestler to hit 100 wins. His 150 wins still ranks second all-time at BHS. He was a member of the Dapper Dan and Ohio Dream teams in 2007, was two-time Redmen MVP, and two-time captain for the Redmen.
He continued his wrestling success at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH where he was a four-time NAIA/NCAA All-American Wrestler. In 2009 he went 32-2 and placed third nationally at 149 pounds. In 2010, Jeffery was the NAIA National Champion at 149 pounds with a 24-0 record. He finished third nationally in 2011 at 149 pounds, and also in 2013 at 157 pounds when Notre Dame competed as a NCAA Division II school for the first time. He finished his college career with 108-11 record. He helped the Notre Dame College Wrestling Team win a NAIA National Championship in 2010, a first for that school. His team also placed third a year later.
Jeffery graduated from Notre Dame College in 2014 with a degree in criminal justice. Today, Jeffery is a professional MMA fighter living in Lakewood, Ohio.
Dennis Sabo introduces 2007 graduate Jeffery Pelton.
