—Submitted photo Pocahontas Area graduate Aaron Wernimont (right) and friend Justin Hanson (left) looks over the lake at Hanson’s wedding.

Justin Hanson and Aaron Wernimont crossed paths at an interesting time in their lives.

Both were state champions in high school, with Hanson winning gold at Humboldt and Wernimont for Pocahontas Area.

From there, Hanson elected to attend Iowa State University and Wernimont headed to West Point to wrestle for Army.

Their roads, though, would lead them to Wartburg College, and a friendship that would quickly grow over time.

“Aaron and I wrestled a couple times when we were little, but never really talked,” Hanson said. “It wasn’t until junior high and high school where we got to be better friends. We would practice for national tournaments together since Humboldt and Pocahontas were so close.

“Then we crossed paths again when we both decided to transfer to Wartburg. I was so happy when he decided to transfer. We lived together for three years at Wartburg and he became one of my best friends. He was the person you just always wanted to be around, and he always knew how to lift up everyone and every situation.”

Wernimont, who passed away in 2012 at just 26 years of age, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Div. III Hall of Fame this coming August. He is part of a five-member class for 2020.

With the Knights, Hanson and Wernimont helped the team win national team titles in 2008 and ’09. Both were crowned individual champions in ’09, as Wernimont completed an 80-bout win streak.

“He was a leader at it all: skill, attitude — you name it, he had it,” Hanson said. “He brought everyone up and put no one down. He led by his work ethic, calmness and the ability to impact everyone around him positively.

“I would say he is one of — if not the — most impactful people to put on a Wartburg singlet.”

Hanson, who was recently inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, met his wife, Lauren, through Wernimont and his wife, Kahri.

“Being in Aaron’s wedding was one of the best days ever. He met the woman of his life, Kahri, and I was so happy for them,” said Hanson, who had Wernimont as his best man in his own wedding. “Man, they lit up the room when they were together.

“Aaron, Kahri, Aaron’s family and Aaron’s friends still show to this day that his light shines through us.”

Jake Holtorf, a high school friend of Wernimont’s, started the Aaron Wernimont Inspiration Foundation, which has generated over $100,000 in his name.

“His memory will never be forgotten,” Hanson said. “He had a huge impact on everyone he met, whether it was in the classroom, on the mat or at social events.”