Legendary Wrestlers Terry & Troy Steiner to Receive North Dakota's Highest Honor

The Steiner twins will be awarded the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award for their accomplishments in wrestling and coaching.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced that national champion wrestlers and coaches Terry and Troy Steiner will be awarded the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state's highest honor. The Steiner twins, who were born and raised in Bismarck, have had illustrious careers as athletes and coaches, winning multiple individual state and NCAA titles, representing the U.S. National Team, and coaching at the highest levels of the sport.

Why it matters

The Rough Rider Award is reserved for North Dakotans who have brought great distinction and recognition to the state through their extraordinary accomplishments. The Steiner brothers' success as wrestlers and coaches has elevated the profile of North Dakota wrestling on the national and international stage, inspiring future generations of athletes from the state.

The details

As high school wrestlers for Bismarck Century, Troy won three individual state titles while Terry won two. At the University of Iowa, Troy became a four-time All-American and NCAA champion, while Terry was a three-time All-American and NCAA champion. Troy also represented the U.S. National Team nine times, winning titles at the 1992 World Cup and 1996 Pan-American Games. Terry has coached the U.S. Women's National Wrestling Team since 2002, leading them to 12 Olympic medals. Troy has held coaching roles at several major Division I programs, building nationally competitive teams.

  • The Steiner twins were born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota.
  • Troy won three individual state titles at Bismarck Century High School from 1986 to 1988.
  • Terry won two individual state titles at Bismarck Century High School in 1987 and 1988.
  • Troy won an NCAA championship at 142 pounds in 1992 while at the University of Iowa.
  • Terry won an NCAA championship at 150 pounds in 1993 while at the University of Iowa.

The players

Terry Steiner

A national champion wrestler who has led the U.S. Women's National Wrestling Team as head coach since 2002, coaching 12 Olympic medalists.

Troy Steiner

A national champion wrestler who has held coaching roles at several major Division I wrestling programs, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State and Fresno State.

Governor Kelly Armstrong

The governor of North Dakota who announced the Steiner twins will receive the state's prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Governor Kelly Armstrong (am1100theflag.com)

“Troy and I are humbled, honored, and proud to receive this award, and we want to thank Gov. Armstrong for selecting us. 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.”

— Terry Steiner (am1100theflag.com)

“Receiving the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award is truly humbling, and we are incredibly grateful to Gov. Armstrong. 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.”

— Troy Steiner (am1100theflag.com)

What’s next

The Steiner twins will be formally presented with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award at a ceremony in Bismarck on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Steiner brothers' remarkable careers as wrestlers and coaches have brought immense pride and recognition to their home state of North Dakota, inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for excellence both on and off the mat.