Bill Hichley of Owatonna, Minn. was named USA Wrestling Official of the Year. This award is presented annually to an outstanding official within USA Wrestling for achievements and service to the sport. Hinchley has been working as a mat official within USA Wrestling for over 35 years, going back to the early 1970's. He started his career working local and state level events, and has been working USA Wrestling's Junior National Championships over the past 30 years, starting when the event was held in Iowa City, Iowa. He is an M1 mat official, and has worked numerous USA Wrestling national and regional events for many years, including the U.S. Senior National Championships. He has officiated at international competitions held in the United States, including tournaments, dual meets and exchanges. He has been very active as a leader within USA Wrestling on the state levels, serving as USA Wrestling's State Chairperson for Minnesota for 15 years. He held numerous other positions within the state association in Minnesota, including Officials Director, Vice President and President. Hinchley became very involved in wrestling when his two sons became active in the sport. For many years, he was ran the Owatonna Wrestling Club, which provided opportunities for young people in his community to compete and train in wrestling. "This is an unbelievably overwhelming honor," said Hinchley. "I think about all the years of volunteering. It is important to be a volunteer for a sport this great to help it to grow. This is the greatest sport in the world. I am also involved because of the camaraderie among this great group of people who serve as officials." Official of the Year Award 1971 - Vince Zuaro, New York 1972 - Wes Hogland, Oregon 1973 - Dennis Fankhouser 1974 - Pat Lovell, California 1975 - Pat Lovell, California 1976 - Sam Williams. New York 1977 - Mick Pickford, Iowa 1978 - Charlie White, Colorado 1979 - Jon Schaus, Illinois 1980 - Don Sondgeroth, Colorado 1981 - Steve Bernhardt, Virginia 1982 - Gordon Weeks, Michigan 1983 - Bernie Norris, Illinois 1984 - Leroy Evans, California 1985 - Carolyn White, Colorado 1986 - Tony Melosci, New York 1987 - Santos Cageao, Ohio 1988 - Bob Dellinger, Oklahoma 1989 - Chuck Almeida, Florida 1990 - Eric Kopsch, Michigan 1991 - Sue Siar, Pennsylvania 1992 - Rick Tucci, Florida 1993 - Bill Stecklein, Pennsylvania 1994 - Jack Bowman, Indiana 1995 - Bob Siar, Sr., Pennsylvania 1996 - David Errett, Indiana 1997 - Chris Curtis, New Jersey 1998 - Tom Clark, Indiana 1999 - Mort Geller, Florida 2000 - Mike Hess, Washington 2001 - Tom Siar, Pennsylvania 2002 - Jan Hesser, Indiana 2003 - Douglas Molin, Indiana 2004 - John Branch, California 2005 - John Heyman, Florida 2006 - Jerry Kuntz, Oklahoma 2007 - Bill Hinchley, Minnesota