Best high school match you've witnessed in person

[matter7172]

I posted this info in the "most dominant" thread, but thought it might be a good topic on its own. My entry is:

For me, 1973 at the State Farm Show arena (last year of single-class PA championships), after wrestling for the Olympic team in Munich in 1972 and the aforementioned Midlands victory (beat a returning NCAA D1 champ in the finals to win), Jimmy Carr was pushed to the brink (and maybe beyond) by Larry Kepp of Central Dauphin East in the state finals. Final score was 8-6, but only (in many people's opinion) because the referees refused to make another (three were already given, iirc) stalling call on Carr late in the third period, which would have tied the match. Given where things were in the match, and with the overtime rules at the time (a complete 1-1-1 mini-match, barring a pin), I don't think anyone would have given Carr much of a chance in OT. The excitement level of this match was the highest I've experienced for any match, high school, college or international. An Olympic team member and reigning Midlands champ totally gassed and being chased around the mat by an pretty unheralded senior was something I can't forget. So dramatic, you almost wonder why they have never made a movie about it.

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

If we're counting offseason, Suriano-Fix at WNO 2 years ago was one of the mosf incredible matches I've ever seen at any level

 

[matter7172]

If we're counting offseason, Suriano-Fix at WNO 2 years ago was one of the mosf incredible matches I've ever seen at any level

The Suriano-Fix match was insane. Only got to watch that one via broadcast, though. The decided underdog status of Kepp - nobody gave him *any* chance against Carr - helps elevate the Carr-Kepp match. Btw, Kepp got the second biggest ovation from any crowd I've been a part of, second only to Cael in Albany in 2002.

 

[raslen007]

2002 125lbs Brian Sticca from Greensburg Salem vs Matt Ciasulli finals. I wish I could find a replay of that match. The crowd went nuts at the end of the match. That gave Matt his 3rd state title I believe.

 

[mrh1645]

When I lived in Cleveland, I saw Brent Metcalf wrestle Dustin Schlatter at the Medina Invitational. This was arguable #1 v #2 P4P in the country meeting during the regular season at a local tournament. Standing room only crowd gave them a standing ovation before the match. Not sure I would say that the match itself ranked up there with the best ever, but it was a special occasion, incredible atmosphere, and not something you see often. Or ever? Can anyone think of a matchup (in-season) with two kids with more accomplishments heading into the match? Both were seniors, both were 3 timers going for 4, both (I believe) were multiple time double Fargo champs. Anyway, I remember it fondly.

 

[Hartzie]

I posted this info in the "most dominant" thread, but thought it might be a good topic on its own. My entry is:

For me, 1973 at the State Farm Show arena (last year of single-class PA championships), after wrestling for the Olympic team in Munich in 1972 and the aforementioned Midlands victory (beat a returning NCAA D1 champ in the finals to win), Jimmy Carr was pushed to the brink (and maybe beyond) by Larry Kepp of Central Dauphin East in the state finals. Final score was 8-6, but only (in many people's opinion) because the referees refused to make another (three were already given, iirc) stalling call on Carr late in the third period, which would have tied the match. Given where things were in the match, and with the overtime rules at the time (a complete 1-1-1 mini-match, barring a pin), I don't think anyone would have given Carr much of a chance in OT. The excitement level of this match was the highest I've experienced for any match, high school, college or international. An Olympic team member and reigning Midlands champ totally gassed and being chased around the mat by an pretty unheralded senior was something I can't forget. So dramatic, you almost wonder why they have never made a movie about it.

Jimmy Carr vs. Henry Green in 1972 regional finals was better.

 

[lion4ever]

Jimmy Carr vs. Henry Green in 1972 regional finals was better.

I was at that regional final. That was, without question, the best HS match I ever witnessed. The fans stood after the match and gave both wrestlers a standing ovation. Match with the most excitement for me would be the pin of John Chapman by Wade Schalles, it electrified the crowd.

 

[AgSurfer]

Only the old timers will remember this one. In the 1968 PIAA semis at 120, Palovsic from Clearfied went up against Peterson from Canon-McMillan in a real barn burner. About half way thru the first period, Palovsic had about three or four of his upper front teeth knocked out, maybe by a wild elbow although I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional. Palovsic had to gut it out and finish the match. It was pretty competitive and a lot of points were scored. Palovsic won and then went on to win the state title. I still remember it as one of the most intense HS matches I've ever seen.

 

[a_mshaffer]

Only the old timers will remember this one. In the 1968 PIAA semis at 120, Palovsic from Clearfied went up against Peterson from Canon-McMillan in a real barn burner. About half way thru the first period, Palovsic had about three or four of his upper front teeth knocked out, maybe by a wild elbow although I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional. Palovsic had to gut it out and finish the match. It was pretty competitive and a lot of points were scored. Palovsic won and then went on to win the state title. I still remember it as one of the most intense HS matches I've ever seen.

good ole Norm. before my time but the legend was known!

 

[Callthestall]

I posted this info in the "most dominant" thread, but thought it might be a good topic on its own. My entry is:

For me, 1973 at the State Farm Show arena (last year of single-class PA championships), after wrestling for the Olympic team in Munich in 1972 and the aforementioned Midlands victory (beat a returning NCAA D1 champ in the finals to win), Jimmy Carr was pushed to the brink (and maybe beyond) by Larry Kepp of Central Dauphin East in the state finals. Final score was 8-6, but only (in many people's opinion) because the referees refused to make another (three were already given, iirc) stalling call on Carr late in the third period, which would have tied the match. Given where things were in the match, and with the overtime rules at the time (a complete 1-1-1 mini-match, barring a pin), I don't think anyone would have given Carr much of a chance in OT. The excitement level of this match was the highest I've experienced for any match, high school, college or international. An Olympic team member and reigning Midlands champ totally gassed and being chased around the mat by an pretty unheralded senior was something I can't forget. So dramatic, you almost wonder why they have never made a movie about it.

I saw Bob Crawford who was a 4 time state champ from Milton wrestle in regionals his senior year against Dan Tashner from Nazareth in the finals.. Crawford had lost his first high school bout he wrestled as a freshman and then won something like130 in a row. Tashner could really cause havoc ,fun to watch. Great match, goes into 3rd period,Crawford up one and Tashner catches him in 1/4 and puts Crawford on his back with about 45 seconds left .To this day I still think he was decked. Crawford squirms and with about 5 seconds left comes out Tashner backside and now the ref has to give 1 escape or 2 reversal. Ref signals 1 and Crawford win streak was stopped. Crawford beat Dan the following week at states to win his fourth title.

 

[DaKidVoy]

About half way thru the first period, Palovsic had about three or four of his upper front teeth knocked out, maybe by a wild elbow although I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional.

Reminds me of Marsteller taping the plugs in his nose as a freshman vs Lorenzo Thomas (I believe). I can't imagine someone losing teeth during a match and continueing. These guys are warriors!

 

[AgSurfer]

good ole Norm. before my time but the legend was known!

Hah! Since you are from Clearfield, I'm sure you know about Norm. He's an interesting character but basically a good guy. Since he graduated from PSU, he's done a lot of good things for the sport, and I've read some very complimentary comments about him from time to time in different wrestling articles.

 

[El-Jefe]

I saw Bob Crawford who was a 4 time state champ from Milton wrestle in regionals his senior year against Dan Tashner from Nazareth in the finals.. Crawford had lost his first high school bout he wrestled as a freshman and then won something like130 in a row. Tashner could really cause havoc ,fun to watch. Great match, goes into 3rd period,Crawford up one and Tashner catches him in 1/4 and puts Crawford on his back with about 45 seconds left .To this day I still think he was decked. Crawford squirms and with about 5 seconds left comes out Tashner backside and now the ref has to give 1 escape or 2 reversal. Ref signals 1 and Crawford win streak was stopped. Crawford beat Dan the following week at states to win his fourth title.

Crawford's first 2 state finals. Both went to OT, before the sudden victory rule. Both times the losing wrestler scored 10+ pts. I think in one of those 2 matches, the announcer said something like: both wrestlers brought a bucket of points with them.

 

[Hartzie]

good ole Norm. before my time but the legend was known!

Norm is still very involved in PA HS wrestling. I saw him at a local watering hole after states Saturday night. He was really good - and if you don't believe me, just ask him...

 

[a_mshaffer]

yea, he was around

Hah! Since you are from Clearfield, I'm sure you know about Norm. He's an interesting character but basically a good guy. Since he graduated from PSU, he's done a lot of good things for the sport, and I've read some very complimentary comments about him from time to time in different wrestling articles.

he was around a bit as my brother's coach (HS level) but a few years back he authored a book about PA wrestling history- after getting into the PA hall of fame.

 

[teen]

My self against Kenny Monday in 1982. I was a freshman and he beat me 26-9 in a tournament at Northern Iowa on my birthday with my mom and a bunch of my friends there watching. He let me up and took me down like 8 times and cross faced me too hard for another point. True story.

 

[AgSurfer]

Norm is still very involved in PA HS wrestling. I saw him at a local watering hole after states Saturday night. He was really good - and if you don't believe me, just ask him...

Yep - you met the real Norm and not some imposter! I heard a rumor once that he was the inspiration for Bruce Springsteen when he wrote the song Glory Days.

The real kicker is that Norm could be really competitive when he put his mind to it. He beat some very good wrestlers in college. In his freshman year, he was bumped up a weight for the PSU freshmen vs the Navy plebes dual and he beat future world champion Butch Keaser. (That dual was also Navy's first experience of a beat down by Andy Matter) Later in his Jr year, Norm beat Greg Surenien from Lehigh to take 3rd at the EIWA tournament. Two weeks later, Surenien took 3rd at the NCAA tournament.

 

[Hartzie]

BH

Yep - you met the real Norm and not some imposter! I heard a rumor once that he was the inspiration for Bruce Springsteen when he wrote the song Glory Days.

The real kicker is that Norm could be really competitive when he put his mind to it. He beat some very good wrestlers in college. In his freshman year, he was bumped up a weight for the PSU freshmen vs the Navy plebes dual and he beat future world champion Butch Keaser. (That dual was also Navy's first experience of a beat down by Andy Matter) Later in his Jr year, Norm beat Greg Surenien from Lehigh to take 3rd at the EIWA tournament. Two weeks later, Surenien took 3rd at the NCAA tournament.

From the Did'ya know files: Palovscik wrestled Mike Johnson at a charity event in 1975. I think Norm was 9 years younger than Mike. Johnson won 6-5.

 

[BrucePa]

OK, wildly out of the realm of normal here....Lancaster McCaskey High School, 1970, in the wrestling room.

Bob Funk, who won state titles at Manheim Township in 1964 and 1965, was a student teacher from Millersville and came into the wrestling room at McCaskey a few times. I saw him take on all of the upper weights one night, including the coach (Harvey Sitler). He put on a clinic.

[OK, not a legitimate match, but there was some serious wrestling going on...BTW, Manheim Township and Manheim Central have good wrestling programs. Troy Sunderland went to Manheim Central after Cael replaced him 6 years ago. I'm surprised those schools don't put more wrestlers into top programs.]

 

[sirhcdralla]

Teen brings up a good topic of conversation. I know we probably have a lot of old wrestlers here.

So my question is, which match that you personally wrestled in was the most unforgettable or most physical to you guys. I am interested to hear your stories.