Ken Heine started wrestling as a freshman in high school. He won two Conference championships and finished 3rd in the state meet as a senior while wrestling for Hall of Fame Coach, Don Yahr. He was a 3-sport athlete at Muskego High School, winning 8 letters in football, wrestling and track, was all-conference at fullback and linebacker, and Honorable Mention All-State in football. After high school, Ken went to the University of Wisconsin where he wrestled for George Martin and was a 2-year letter winner while earning a degree in physical education.
Ken graduated from Wisconsin in 1970 and went to Milton High School where he taught physical education while serving as JV wrestling coach, assistant football and baseball coach. He then went back to Shi alma mater, Muskego High School, where he taught physical education, coached football and was JV wrestling coach.
In 1974 he left Muskego and has been at Waukesha South ever since. He teaches physical education and has been the varsity wrestling coach for 24 years. While at South, he also coached football for much of this tie. During his tenure at South he earned his masters degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently doing administrative work along with his teaching duties.
Ken's wrestling accomplishments while at South include a state team title in 1980, one state runner-up and 2 3rd-place finishes. He has compiled over 300 dual meet wins and his teams have won 12 dual meet conference championships, 11 conference championships, 13 regional titles and 9 sectional titles. He has had 90 individual state qualifiers, 27 state place winners, 9 state champions and 57 conference champions. Since the inception of the team state format, Ken's team have qualified 3 times, finishing second in the inaugural year, 1992. Ken has been named District Seven Coach of the Year twice.
Ken has also been a member of the WIAA 7% Weight Committee and has been active in developing safe guidelines for the benefit of the Wisconsin High School wrestler on weight issues.
During the development state of freestyle wrestling in our state, Ken spent countless hours officiating at tournaments throughout the spring as a volunteer. He is also responsible for helping to develop the youth wrestling programs in Waukesha and has worked as a clinician at youth wrestling clamps in the southeastern part of the state, as well as hosting summer camps at South High School. He has helped run regional Kids tournaments at South High School and other area schools for USA wrestling.
Ken thanks his family and all his former wrestlers for all the great memories they've given him. "I truly hope that in some way I have helped to make you a better person through the sport of wrestling."