Originally from Appleton, Rheingans was an NCAA Division II champion in 1975 for North Dakota State University and wrestled in the 1976 Olympics, placing fourth. He qualified for the Olympic team in 1980, but did not compete due to the United States boycott. Between Olympics, he placed third for a bronze medal at the 1979 World Wrestling Championships. He was later inducted into the Tribune Hall of Fame. Rhenigans also won gold medals in the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games.