North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong honors wrestling legends Terry Steiner and Troy Steiner with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award
Bismarck, North Dakota – Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced that legendary twin brothers Troy Steiner and Terry Steiner will receive the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the highest honor given to citizens of the state. The two wrestling icons have been named the 51st and 52nd recipients of the prestigious recognition, which celebrates individuals who have achieved national or international distinction while reflecting honor upon North Dakota.
The award recognizes the remarkable athletic careers and coaching achievements of the Steiner brothers, whose influence in wrestling stretches from local youth programs to the Olympic stage. Born and raised in Bismarck, the twins have spent decades shaping the sport both as elite competitors and as respected mentors for new generations of athletes.
Governor Armstrong praised the brothers for their lasting impact on wrestling and for representing the values deeply rooted in North Dakota. “The names Troy and Terry Steiner are legendary in the wrestling world, carrying a well-earned reputation of excellence not only in North Dakota but on both the national and international stage,” Armstrong said. “As athletes they dominated their opponents, winning championships in high school, college, national and international competition. As coaches and ambassadors, their positive influence and impact on the sport of wrestling is immeasurable, bringing distinction and recognition to their home state.”
Armstrong also highlighted how their influence extends beyond victories and medals. “Terry and Troy have embodied the North Dakota values of resilience, hard work and grit, inspiring countless young men and women to pursue the sport of wrestling,“ Armstrong added. “Their commitment to mentoring athletes and promoting wrestling has strengthened the sport’s pipeline from grassroots programs to international competition, all while remaining deeply connected to North Dakota.”
From Bismarck Beginnings to National Champions
The Steiner brothers first built their wrestling foundation in Bismarck. They were among the earliest members of MATPAC Wrestling when coach Milo Trusty established the club in 1978, a program that would later grow into a nationally recognized wrestling organization.
During their time at Bismarck Century High School, both brothers quickly made their mark on the sport. Troy Steiner captured three individual state wrestling titles between 1986 and 1988 in the 112, 119, and 125-pound divisions. Terry followed with back-to-back state championships in 1987 and 1988 at 126 and 130 pounds.
Their success continued at the collegiate level at the University of Iowa, one of the most respected wrestling programs in the country. Troy earned All-American honors in all four of his college seasons, while Terry became a three-time All-American. Each brother also captured an individual NCAA championship. Troy won the 142-pound national title in 1992, and Terry followed by claiming the 150-pound championship in 1993. Troy also secured three Big Ten Conference titles during his collegiate career.
After college, the brothers moved on to international competition representing the United States. Troy became a nine-time member of the U.S. National Team and achieved victories at major international events, including the 1992 World Cup and the 1996 Pan-American Games. He also placed third at the U.S. Olympic Trials in both 1992 and 1996.
Terry also reached elite levels in international freestyle wrestling. He was a member of the U.S. National Team and won a Pan American championship in 1996 while also placing at the U.S. Open several times during his competitive career.
Coaching Legacy That Shaped the Sport
While their athletic achievements were remarkable, the Steiner brothers have arguably had an even greater impact through coaching.
Terry Steiner has served as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Wrestling Team since 2002. Under his leadership, the program has developed into one of the most powerful forces in international wrestling. He has guided the women’s freestyle team in every Olympic Games that has included women’s wrestling since the sport debuted at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
During Terry’s tenure, the United States has earned an impressive collection of international medals. His athletes have won 12 Olympic medals, including four gold, three silver, and five bronze. Among those achievements were milestones such as the first U.S. Olympic champion in women’s wrestling, Helen Maroulis, and the youngest U.S. Olympic wrestling champion across all disciplines, Amit Elor.
In world championship competition, the U.S. teams coached by Terry have won 72 medals, including 22 gold, 17 silver, and 33 bronze. His coaching career has also included earlier work as a Division I assistant coach at Wisconsin and Oregon State.
Troy Steiner has also built an outstanding reputation as a coach and mentor. Over the years he has held coaching roles at several major Division I wrestling programs, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State, and Fresno State. In those positions he helped develop competitive programs while guiding student-athletes in discipline, leadership, and character.
Today, Troy serves as head coach of the Gopher Wrestling Club in Minneapolis, where he trains athletes striving to compete at the highest levels of world and Olympic wrestling.
Despite their global influence, the brothers have never lost their connection to North Dakota. They frequently return to Bismarck and other communities across the state to host wrestling camps and coaching clinics, giving back to the programs and communities that helped shape their careers.
Terry expressed gratitude for the recognition and the community that supported their journey. “Troy and I are humbled, honored, and proud to receive this award, and we want to thank Gov. Armstrong for selecting us,” Terry Steiner said. “The people in the community of Bismarck and the state of North Dakota have lifted us up from the very beginning, and we are forever grateful. Our North Dakota roots and the nurturing community that we grew up in allowed us to grow, flourish and succeed in our athletic, professional and personal lives. When you put ordinary people in an extra ordinary environment, they become extraordinary.”
Troy echoed those sentiments, reflecting on the influence the state has had on their lives. “Receiving the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award is truly humbling, and we are incredibly grateful to Gov. Armstrong,” Troy Steiner said. “Growing up in North Dakota shaped who we are in every area of our lives. The values of hard work, humility, faith and community were not just taught – they were lived. The people of North Dakota set a standard of humility, toughness and integrity that challenged us to be our best, and that foundation continues to guide us today. Terry and I are honored beyond words to receive this recognition and proud to represent the state that built us.”
Governor Armstrong concluded that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations. “As competitors, coaches and mentors, Terry and Troy have built a legacy that continues to elevate North Dakota and strengthen the sport of wrestling for future generations,” Armstrong said.
The Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award honors current or former North Dakotans whose achievements bring recognition to the state. Established during the 1961 Dakota Territory Centennial, the award originally granted recipients an honorary rank of Colonel in the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders.
State leaders confirmed that the award presentation ceremony honoring Troy and Terry Steiner will take place in Bismarck later this fall, with additional details to be announced at a later date.
