It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Nick Joslyn, the legendary former wrestling coach of Canton High School, who died on Monday, May 4, at the age of 69. After a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues, including complications from COVID-19 that began in September 2021, Joslyn was moved to comfort care on May 3 and passed away peacefully in Lincoln, Nebraska, surrounded by the love of his family.
Joslyn’s impact on the sport of wrestling in South Dakota is immeasurable. He first stepped onto the mat as Canton’s head coach in 1989, but his dedication to the sport ran much deeper—by the time he was celebrated for 25-plus years of service in 2014, he had already logged 37 years of coaching. He officially retired from coaching after the 2015 season and left the Canton School District in 2017 to be closer to his grandchildren in Nebraska.
Under Joslyn’s guidance, the Canton C-Hawks transformed into a powerhouse program. His crowning achievement came in 1995, when he led the team to its first-ever state championship—a historic milestone that marked the school’s first state placement in wrestling. That victory set the stage for the sustained excellence that Canton wrestling is known for today.
The Canton School District paid tribute to Joslyn in a heartfelt social media post, remembering him not just as a coach, but as a cherished dean of students who lived by his own motto: "Be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing." They added, "We are pleased to say that being a teacher and coach was exactly where Mr. Joslyn was supposed to be and making a positive impact on those around him was exactly what he was meant to do. We are proud of his legacy and grateful that he was a C-Hawk!"
In 2018, Joslyn was inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame, a fitting honor for a man who dedicated his life to building champions on and off the mat. For those who love the sport—whether you’re a wrestler, a coach, or a fan wearing your favorite wrestling gear—Joslyn’s story is a powerful reminder of the grit, heart, and community that make wrestling so special. Rest in peace, Coach.