The 2025–2026 season marks another milestone for the Warsaw Wildcats Wrestling program with the 2nd Annual Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony, recognizing individuals whose impact has helped shape the program’s legacy.
The ceremony celebrated 31 years of commitment and dedication to Wildcats Wrestling. The Hall of Honor represents the very best of what it means to be a Warsaw Wildcat — character, integrity, loyalty, and class — and this year’s inductees, Erica Poe-Haddad and Nathan Steenburgen, were honored for their lasting contributions to the program.
Erica Poe-Haddad
Erica Poe-Haddad represented Warsaw High School Wrestling for all four years of her high school career from 2004–2008 and qualified for the state tournament during both her junior and senior seasons. In addition to wrestling, she was a standout multi-sport athlete, competing in track — where she broke school records — and playing softball.
Throughout her time at Warsaw, Erica exemplified discipline, accountability, and pride in the Wildcats program. She credited the wrestlers who came before her for setting a standard of excellence that shaped how she represented Warsaw both on and off the mat. She also gave back to the program by volunteering with the Warsaw Youth Wrestling Club, mentoring young athletes and promoting the values of hard work and sportsmanship.
Erica continued her wrestling career at the collegiate level, first at Missouri Baptist University before transferring to Lindenwood University, where she finished her career as a national champion at 121 pounds. She later returned to the sport as a coach for Lindenwood’s women’s wrestling program while earning her master’s degree in marketing and communications.
Today, Erica resides in Ballwin, Missouri, with her husband, Michael, and their two daughters. While her daughters have not yet taken to the mat, her niece and nephew — Carter and Reagan Poe — proudly represent the Warsaw Youth Wrestling program, and her oldest daughter, Lively, competes in club soccer.
Head Coach John Dunham reflected on Erica’s impact, noting that while she was not the first female to wrestle in school history, she remains the most accomplished female wrestler of her era. At a time when there were no girls-only competitions, Erica competed — and succeeded — against boys, displaying tremendous confidence, skill, and toughness. Coach Dunham credited her with helping pave the way for the girls wrestling opportunities that exist today.
Nathan Steenburgen
Nathan Steenburgen’s influence on Warsaw Wrestling spans decades as an athlete, coach, and mentor. He began wrestling during his senior year in 1995 and made immediate history by becoming the program’s first state medalist. The following year, he began assisting with the youth wrestling club, starting what would become a long legacy of giving back to the sport.
In 1999, Nathan returned to Warsaw as an assistant coach under Randy Morrow and Coach John Dunham. He was part of the coaching staff during the historic 2001 season when the Wildcats finished fourth at the state tournament — the highest team finish in program history at that time. He continued coaching at the high school level through 2012 and later coached at the middle school level until 2013.
Over the years, Nathan coached countless athletes, including his brothers and four of his own children. His youngest daughter is currently in high school and has qualified for the state tournament, continuing the family tradition of Wildcats wrestling excellence.
Nathan and his wife of 22 years now live in Kansas, where she works as a Nurse Practitioner and he is employed at a Walmart Distribution Center. Together, they have four sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a one-year-old grandson.
Coach Dunham described Nathan as a true leader in the early days of the program. As one of only four wrestlers in the program’s inaugural season with prior experience, Nathan helped set expectations and standards for future Wildcats. Dunham noted that Nathan’s calm, steady demeanor and relentless work ethic made him a natural leader who helped establish the foundation upon which the program was built.
On behalf of the Warsaw Wildcat Wrestling program and the entire community, THANK YOU both for your contribution to Warsaw Wildcats Wrestling & the Warsaw community throughout the years!