MINOT, N.D.- Wrestling has been Plamen Paskalev's passion for his entire life. It's something he eats, breathes, and sleeps for and it has taken him all over the world.

In his latest journey, Paskalev has landed at Minot State University as an assistant coach under NCAA Division II Hall of Famer, Robin Ersland. Paskalev's journey will also bring him to the University of Central Missouri Hall of Fame class of 2012-13.

Paskalev was a three-time All-American grabbler at UCM under the direction of coach Ersland. He went placed fourth at 285 pounds in 2003 and third at 197 pounds in 2005 before capping his collegiate career off with an undeafeated National Championship season at 197 pounds in 2006.

He also wrestled on the world's biggest stage as he is a two-time Olympian for his native country of Bulgaria. Paskalev placed fourth at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and sixteenth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"Wrestling has always been what I have done," said Paskalev. "From a young boy, I have enjoyed wrestling and it's what makes me happy. At UCM, I had many people who were around me and gave me good advice. Not just teammates and coach Ersland, but also the teachers from the English program and people from the community."

Paskalev is quick to give credit to those who have helped him along the way, but do not be fooled. Like most who have success, he has had to pay the price with hard work and discipline on and off the wrestling mat.

"In the sport of wrestling, self-discipline played a major role in my success," said Paskalev. "Since I was 10 years old all of my coaches taught me to be successful in life, not just in the sport. I was focused to become a good athlete, so I made sure I didn't do things that were counterproductive to my success as a wrestler or as a person."

Paskalev is a native of Sofia, Bulgaria where he learned to wrestling from a young age. Wrestling took him to the national scene in Bulgaria, as he won 12 Bulgarian National Championships. From there, he moved on to Germany where he wrestled in professional freestyle leagues before he first made contact with coach Ersland.

"Coach Ersland was the reason I went to Central Missouri," Paskalev said. "We were in contact through e-mail while I was in Europe and he told me I could come there to wrestle for him."

"Plamen came to me with far more impressive wrestling credentials than I did," said Ersland. "He always worked hard and did what I asked of him and he was ten years older than everyone else on those UCM teams, so I think that says a lot about who he is and what he is about on the wrestling mat."

When Paskalev is inducted into the UCM Hall of Fame later this year, he will surely be emotional as he remembers his time in Warrensburg, Missouri.

After finishing his senior season with an undeafeated National Championship run (18-0), Paskalev walked away as one of the most decorated wrestlers in Mule history. He was the first wrestler to have an undefeated season at UCM and remains first in school history with a .928 winning percentage with a career record of 64-5.

"It was hard to get workout partners for Plamen at UCM because he was so much better than everyone else," said Ersland. "We had some guys that could make him work, but not that often.

"Today it's not the same because he is a little older and he can't go out on the mat without getting hurt," said Ersland as he gave a friendly shove to Paskalev. "He is still a guy that can take it to some of our wrestlers when he coaches. Not too many guys on our team like when they see Plamen suited up."

He has helped coach Ersland lead Minot State into the Division II level, competing in the fierce Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for the first season in school history.

Paskalev's journey has brought him all around the globe, even to wrestling's biggest stage, but he looks back at his career at UCM with a grateful attitude and fond memories.

"I was surrounded by a lot of good people at Central Missouri," said Paskalev. "I wouldn't trade my time there for anything. I feel blessed and honored to be able to continue my career coaching with coach Ersland at Minot State."