John Nino

Class of 2016

Kelvyn Park | Triton Junior College

John P. Nino began his wrestling career in 1970 at Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago. The two time Chicago Public League Champion wrestled for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Richard Kerby. John posted an impressive 196 wins throughout his high school Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling career. John was named the 1974 Athlete of the Year for the Kelvyn Park Panthers. John was a two time IHSA state place winner and he won 20 high school wrestling tournaments while also starring on the defensive line in football.

John continued his career at nearby Triton Junior College in River Grove, Illinois, wrestling for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach, the legendary Art Kraft. The 1977 National Champion and two-time All-American continued to impress with a sparkling 77-4-2 record while amassing 55 falls. John has been inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

John is a black belt in both Tae kwon do and Judo. As a power lifter he has bench pressed over 500 pounds. John is a retired truck driver and automatic diesel mechanic. John and his wife Maria live in Chicago. They have two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren.