A Wrestling Memory--And Then This

[DavidM]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

 

[LemonEars]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

I was there and Mike Reid's performance was spectacular. However, last night was better! I doubt we will ever see an exhibition of excellence like last night.

 

[Parkland Fan]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

I was at that match. It was my freshman year. Growing up in Allentown, many of us guys had a love-hate relationship with Lehigh. Loved the school, but some of the students were super arrogant. One of our wrestlers upset Joe Peritore (IIRC) and the place went wild. Mike Caruso, a national champ from Lehigh, was taken down and had to rally to pull out a close win. Rec Hall was electric, and Mike Reid finished it off with a win over Frank Paquin (again, IIRC). I was a big wrestling fan for the rest of my time at PSU.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

I was there and Mike Reid's performance was spectacular. However, last night was better! I doubt we will ever see an exhibition of excellence like last night.

Until next year.....!

 

[ga.lion]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

Good story. Last night was simply amazing and may never be duplicated again. For one team to win 5 individual NCAA wrestling titles in a row including beating 2 undefeated previous champs. Hard to imagine but a great evening.

 

[DavidM]

Dammit! So Caruso won a close one? I knew that a Penn State guy upset a Lehigh guy, but I remembered it being Caruso. After fifty years, one's memory can play tricks on you. Sorry about it. However, I'm certain about the Mike Reid pin.

Last night was just stunning. I wrestled in high school, so I can't help myself during PSU matches--slightly twisting and leaning. My wife thinks I'm a little loopy when I'm doing that.

 

[Parkland Fan]

Dammit! So Caruso won a close one? I knew that a Penn State guy upset a Lehigh guy, but I remembered it being Caruso. After fifty years, one's memory can play tricks on you. Sorry about it. However, I'm certain about the Mike Reid pin.

Last night was just stunning. I wrestled in high school, so I can't help myself during PSU matches--slightly twisting and leaning. My wife thinks I'm a little loopy when I'm doing that.

I think the two PSU wrestlers against Caruso and Peritore were Wally Clark and Vinnie Fitz. Can't remember which one beat Peritore.
Are you sure about Reid pinning? I do remember Mike lifting Paquin and slamming him to the mat, but I thought he won by decision.
Again, from memory, I think the final score was 17-15.

 

[DavidM]

At this point, I'm not sure about anything. I'm pretty sure that Fitz beat Peritore, and I guess Clark almost beat Caruso. Oh hell, Reid won, and the team won. And it was great wrestling theater. Last night was better.

 

[bjf1991]

Dammit! So Caruso won a close one? I knew that a Penn State guy upset a Lehigh guy, but I remembered it being Caruso. After fifty years, one's memory can play tricks on you. Sorry about it. However, I'm certain about the Mike Reid pin.

Last night was just stunning. I wrestled in high school, so I can't help myself during PSU matches--slightly twisting and leaning. My wife thinks I'm a little loopy when I'm doing that.

Funny that.


Things that we witnessed with our own eyes and ears.....

Things that we - undeniably - witnessed first hand (not through some second or third hand knowledge).......

Things that we KNOW be true......

Things that we can clearly see in our "minds eye" to this day......

Things that have never been conflated or subject to external influences of any kind......

That are - rationally and certifiably and undeniably - NOT true



And we've got dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of folks - - - including those who wield incredible power and influence over others (and of course, hordes of "less significant" experts ) - - - - who "know" everything that happened decades ago, because they have access to nebulous and conflicting and incongruent 3rd and 4th hand information.


Genius time

 

[DavidM]

This exchange made me realize that I had actually combined the memories of two separate experiences into one. The first involved a great heavyweight wrestler on my high school team who pinned his stalling opponent quickly to win a match for the team, and the other the Mike Reid victory against Lehigh. They were a year apart, and they blended together into one memory. Had to have happened a long time ago, because the Reid pin memory has been with me for decades. Shyte happens over time.

 

[Nitwit]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

I was there as well. I remember Reid had shaved his head. This wasn't a common look in the 60s. But it was intimidating. Mike Reid will always be one of my favorite PSU athletes - a true Renaissance man. But nothing beats what this team is doing wrestling wise now. I also recall the big crowds we used to get at men's gymnastics meets back then, and was a little disappointed in the size of the crowd watching the #6 men's team beat Michigan yesterday on TV. They used to draw big crowds for Saturday night meets back when Gene Wetstone coached, including an international visiting team every year. Good sports memories.

 

[DavidM]

I had the same reaction when I tuned in to the gymnastics meet yesterday. HUGE crowds, often standing room for gym meets, when I was a student in the late Sixties. I remember how silent the fans were during routines. And it looked like a couple hundred spectators for the recent Michigan meet. Things change. Then wrestling typically got decent crowds, but seldom a full house. Now wrestling dominates.

 

[fairgambit]

Well, I was there too, and my memory is foggy, so I checked in the Lehigh Wrestling Records
and found this summary of the match.
Lehigh Wrestling Records ( http://www.wrestlingstats.com/lehigh/home.php)


Lehigh University Wrestling
Dual Meet Result

Penn State 18 - Lehigh 12
Date: 1967-02-28 - Location: Away
Weight Lehigh Wrestler....Opponent Result
123 Pete Henning...............Freas L 3-5
130 Mike Caruso................Clark, W. W 12-3
137 Joe Peritore.................Fitz L 3-7
145 Elliott Tepper...............Spinda L 3-4
152 Glenn Amsbaugh........Abraham W 4-3
160 Bob Hartenstine..........Kline L 3-10
167 Jon Rushatz................Seaman W 3-2
177 Joe Caprio...................Lorenzo L 4-6
191 Ron Ries......................Funk W 4-2
UNL Frank Paquin..............Reid L 3-5

 

[fairgambit]

I think the two PSU wrestlers against Caruso and Peritore were Wally Clark and Vinnie Fitz. Can't remember which one beat Peritore.
Are you sure about Reid pinning? I do remember Mike lifting Paquin and slamming him to the mat, but I thought he won by decision.
Again, from memory, I think the final score was 17-15.

You were very close on the results and the score. I was one who also believed Mike Reid pinned the guy. Our memories can be faulty..........even under oath.

 

[The Spin Meister]

I wrestled in high school, so I can't help myself during PSU matches--slightly twisting and leaning. My wife thinks I'm a little loopy when I'm doing that.

---
I'm a guessin' she thinks that at many other times, too!

 

[Cold Smoke]

I was there too. The place exploded. Next couple years when Matter and Frantz showed up (to go with Lorenzo) Rec Hall got loud quite often.

 

[FHSPSU67]

I had my brother up to PSU for that Lehigh match and remember that crowd set a record for Rec Hall which may still be standing as the largest crowd ever.

 

[Nitwit]

You were very close on the results and the score. I was one who also believed Mike Reid pinned the guy. Our memories can be faulty..........even under oath.

I also remember a pin but maybe it was a different year?

 

[fairgambit]

I also remember a pin but maybe it was a different year?

Maybe, but that Lehigh match was such a big deal and I pictured the pin there. Perhaps, as Parkland Fan suggested, Mike Reid picked Paquin up and slammed him, making me remember it was pin when it was not.

 

[The Shelter]

I had my brother up to PSU for that Lehigh match and remember that crowd set a record for Rec Hall which may still be standing as the largest crowd ever.

Rec Hall's actual attendance record was set at the Jefferson Airplane concert in 1970, but no one knows how many were in the building. An estimated 11,000 (article linked), many without tickets, jammed in when the police gave up trying to prevent entry. The crowd was wild but mostly peaceful. That was an experience that I will never forget!

 

[ChiTownLion]

So that actually WAS Billy Baldwin reporting last night...

 

[TTman]

Too bad Reid gave up wrestling after an injury... I think he would have won at least on NC if he had continued. Oh well, I guess he will just have to settle for being my favorite PSU football player. As for the comment about the shaved head, Reid could often be spotted at the Student Union, and there was no mistaking him...no hair, no neck!

 

[FHSPSU67]

I also remember Mike playing piano in Waring Hall as I was carrying my golf bag thru Waring Hall to the White GC.

 

[FHSPSU67]

Found this, see #8
https://books.google.com/books?id=6...enn state rec hall largest attendance&f=false

 

[valleyforgebob]

I also was at the Lehigh match and I do remember that Reid lifted his opponent to a loud roar. However, I do not think he slammed him because, as another told me, you cannot do that.
I also noted the sparse crowd at the gymnastics meet. When I went it was packed. I think Steve Cohen was the star especially when he did the "iron cross'. Now everyone does it and with variations.

 

[fairgambit]

I also was at the Lehigh match and I do remember that Reid lifted his opponent to a loud roar. However, I do not think he slammed him because, as another told me, you cannot do that.
I also noted the sparse crowd at the gymnastics meet. When I went it was packed. I think Steve Cohen was the star especially when he did the "iron cross'. Now everyone does it and with variations.

In those days you rarely saw gymnastics on TV so watching it in person was special. Today you routinely see world class performances in the comfort of your living room so there is much less incentive to go out and spend time and money watching college kids, even good ones.

 

[FHSPSU67]

I remember gymnastics crowds being extremely quiet, but large.​

 

[m48tank]

I was trying to recall this morning a comparable PSU wrestling moment. During my freshman year, I think, PSU had a home match with Lehigh in Rec Hall. They had some highly ranked guys, and Penn State was competitive throughout the match, including a big individual upset against a defending national champ named Caruso. However, Lehigh was leading going into the final competition, and Penn State had to get a first period pin (it was worth an extra point in those days) to win the match. The Lehigh heavyweight is standing in the middle, there's a big roar, and Mike Reid--who looked like a freakin' hunk of steel--runs up to the mat. The Lehigh guy is obviously trying to stall to get out of the first period, but Reid grabs him and pins him. Rec Hall explodes.

That was about as good as it got for me until last night. Last night was hellaciously great.

I was at that match as well. I remember three deep around the track.

 

[Osprey Lion]

I was at that match. It was my freshman year. Growing up in Allentown, many of us guys had a love-hate relationship with Lehigh. Loved the school, but some of the students were super arrogant. One of our wrestlers upset Joe Peritore (IIRC) and the place went wild. Mike Caruso, a national champ from Lehigh, was taken down and had to rally to pull out a close win. Rec Hall was electric, and Mike Reid finished it off with a win over Frank Paquin (again, IIRC). I was a big wrestling fan for the rest of my time at PSU.

Vince Fitz with the upset.

 

[The Spin Meister]

In those days you rarely saw gymnastics on TV so watching it in person was special. Today you routinely see world class performances in the comfort of your living room so there is much less incentive to go out and spend time and money watching college kids, even good ones.

---
Good point. Also, gymnastics has changed so much, especially womens. Now the best are in their mid teens and watching college girls is a big step down in talent.

 

[Parkland Fan]

---
Good point. Also, gymnastics has changed so much, especially womens. Now the best are in their mid teens and watching college girls is a big step down in talent.

The following year I hung around with some PhysEd majors and we would get there real early for each wrestling match to get great seats. Once I sat in the first row right in front of Rich Lorenzo's Dad. Big mistake. He would use me to help Rich with leverage. Then he would apologize a few times.
I remember watching Clyde Frantz and Andy Matter in some of the next years. Two great wrestlers!

 

[Nitwit]

I remember gymnastics crowds being extremely quiet, but large.​

It was date night - they were usually held on Saturday nights.

 

[FHSPSU67]

It was also considered very rude to applaud or respond in any way to a performance. Gene Wettstone insisted on it.

 

[oldlioness]

Ah the memories you've brought back from a great time at PSU. All of the great activities in Rec Hall back then...the only Rec Hall memory of the late 60's early 70's that doesn't bring a smile was registration!

 

[WyomingLion]

Great memories of gymnastics in the mid 70's. I think we won national championship in 74? Coach Gene Wettstone had some great teams and packed the house. Some of the gymnasts were Ira Stossel (sp?), Gene Whelan, Wayne Young, Steve Biesal (?). Steve had a sister who was a female gymnast for the women's team, turned diver and was quite good. One of my favorites was Larry Butler, classmate and very good high bar man. Women's team was very good also. Coached by our 2 time Olympian, Marshall Avener's wife Judy. We also had Ann Carr, an all American gymnast for the girls.

 

[Nitwit]

In the late 60s, I sort of remember a very short gymnast, who I believe was Hispanic. He only competed on the rings and he was outstanding. He rode a motorcycle around campus. Can anyone recall his name? The format was better back then with both teams competing on the same apparatus at the same time with alternate gymnasts, visitor-home-visitor-home. Each team would start with their lower scoring competitors working up to their best. It was an exciting format, much better then now. Anyway this rings specialist I'm thinking of would always go last and get 9.7s or thereabouts. I'm hoping someone else can remember better than me.....

 

[fbh1]

Vince Fitz with the upset.

It was Peritore's last dual meet match. He was undefeated for all of his career as far as dual meets were concerned. Fitz ended that streak... Reid was the hero though by winning the last match. One of the most exciting wrestling matchs I've ever been to.

 

[WyomingLion]

In the late 60s, I sort of remember a very short gymnast, who I believe was Hispanic. He only competed on the rings and he was outstanding. He rode a motorcycle around campus. Can anyone recall his name? The format was better back then with both teams competing on the same apparatus at the same time with alternate gymnasts, visitor-home-visitor-home. Each team would start with their lower scoring competitors working up to their best. It was an exciting format, much better then now. Anyway this rings specialist I'm thinking of would always go last and get 9.7s or thereabouts. I'm hoping someone else can remember better than me.....

Not sure if I can help as 1960's a little before me. In the mid 70's a ring specialist named Fagen can't remember his first name, was sensational. The guys on the team chipped in to buy a shirt that said "Bionic Man" he did at least 2 iron crosses (maybe 3) in his routine! Gene Wettstone was a once in a lifetime coach and great motivator, first hand knowledge. He had pull with the Olympic committee and had several great competitions come to Rec Hall... Olympic final trials, Japanese team, and German national team just off the top of my recollection. Eberhard Gienger (sp?) from the German national team was sensational on horizontal bar. He has a move named in his honor.

 

[transam2002]

Ah the memories from Rec Hall. Also experienced many of the events mentioned here along with one of the best BB teams in Penn State history. I believe it was 1964 and highly ranked Syracuse came to Rec Hall with AA Dave Bing on their team. The Lions had Carver Clinton, Bob Weiss and Ron Avilion. Close game the whole way with the Lions pulling it out at the end. Might be the loudest I've ever heard Rec Hall. Great memories! Thanks to all who posted in this thread!

 

[LemonEars]

In the late 60s, I sort of remember a very short gymnast, who I believe was Hispanic. He only competed on the rings and he was outstanding. He rode a motorcycle around campus. Can anyone recall his name? The format was better back then with both teams competing on the same apparatus at the same time with alternate gymnasts, visitor-home-visitor-home. Each team would start with their lower scoring competitors working up to their best. It was an exciting format, much better then now. Anyway this rings specialist I'm thinking of would always go last and get 9.7s or thereabouts. I'm hoping someone else can remember better than me.....

The guy I remember on the rings in around 66-67 was Steve Cohen. Super strong and fun to watch.