hey fellas, how did you fare in high school and college wrestling?

[AgSurfer]

Wrestled in HS and college. My HS years were at a prep school. Only lost once my Sr year going into the national prep tournament at Lehigh where I lost by riding time to the eventual champion. Then I spent 3 years wrestling at a D3 school. Took a year and a half off school after that and transferred to Penn State when I returned. I wasn't NCAA eligible after that but I still went to the practices and some open tournaments. At that point, I really was wrestling just to have fun! (No Title 9 BS in those days either)

My biggest day during that time wasn't when I was competing. It was at the Olympic games in Munich. I actually spoke with Gable about 45 minutes before he beat the Russian for the gold medal and got to say congratulations afterwards. I also watched Ivan Yarygin and Alexander Medved win gold that night and walked over and shook Medved's hand later when I saw him standing by himself at one end of the gym. Unfortunately, no camera and photos to back this up, but it really happened!

 

[seamus98]

Does that include state college? I thought that was district 6. The early to mid 80’s state college, bald eagle, philipsburg and clearfield dominated the state.

Late 80’s were pretty good for those schools as well. I ran into them often in Altoona.

 

[tjb249]

Started out at Conestoga Youth Wrestling as a 5th grader for two years before being accepted into Foxcatcher/Renegades under Dale Bonsall (You had to place at Eastern Nationals in order to be accepted.). As a 7th grader, I was coached by Dave Schultz on the Tuesday night before he was killed on that following snowy Friday. I lived the movie.

Cool side story: I went to the premier for the movie Foxcatcher in Philly. As the movie was about to start one of my former Foxcatcher teammates that Tuesday night practice, former Lehigh AA Derick Zink, walked into the movie theatre. I hadn’t seen him in years. We watched the movie together in tears.

Wrestled at Malvern Prep, where I was a 3X state finalist and 2x National Prep AA. Turned down a scholarship from Binghamton to walked-on at PSU as a freshman. Sunderland told me I wasn’t going to make the team during tryouts, so I quit. He was lying to me as the other two walk-ones stayed on the team and made it. He emailed me over winter break to come back out after I had been “fratting it up” as a freshman. Pissed off from what happened to me, I decided to go back out for the team as sophomore.

I trained in an empty Foxcatcher wrestling room that summer with former PSU wrestler and Conestoga Assistant coach, Tony DeHaven. I may have been the last wrestler to ever train in that wonderful facility, and definitely the last PSU wrestler to train there. I won wrestle-offs and started the whole 2001-2002 season at 174lbs. Second dual meet match was against defending NC and current UFC fighter, Josh Koshchek. Was down 6-0 before being hit with a double in the last 10 seconds to lose 8-0. Best wrestler I ever faced was Greg Jones from WVU, who was a 3X NC and won his final 50+ matches. Absolute blur. I could give you stories for days, but thought the Foxcatcher story and how I got into the lineup at PSU would peak your interest.

What I am most proud of is the Malvern Prep youth program that I stated 12 years ago, where I still coach, and do my best to try and help out with the high school, which is few and far between. I’ve sent wrestlers to Cornell, UVA, VT, UPENN, Brown, NC State, F&M, Navy, Northwestern, and of course PSU to name a few.

Great chain here. I’ll be up for a few matches in the coming years to show my support for a certain 197lber. Hopefully, I’ll meet some of you before or after the matches at the NLI. All the best to you!

 

[GoMarines]

I wrestled at Benton, placed twice in AA. I wrestled for the Marine Corps team my first few years in the Corps. Never college but did compete in a few opens with the Corps.

Semper Fi Rhino80

 

[Cali_Nittany]

Wrestled in HS and college. My HS years were at a prep school. Only lost once my Sr year going into the national prep tournament at Lehigh where I lost by riding time to the eventual champion. Then I spent 3 years wrestling at a D3 school. Took a year and a half off school after that and transferred to Penn State when I returned. I wasn't NCAA eligible after that but I still went to the practices and some open tournaments. At that point, I really was wrestling just to have fun! (No Title 9 BS in those days either)

My biggest day during that time wasn't when I was competing. It was at the Olympic games in Munich. I actually spoke with Gable about 45 minutes before he beat the Russian for the gold medal and got to say congratulations afterwards. I also watched Ivan Yarygin and Alexander Medved win gold that night and walked over and shook Medved's hand later when I saw him standing by himself at one end of the gym. Unfortunately, no camera and photos to back this up, but it really happened!

That's some serious wrestling history. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Cali_Nittany]

I never wrestled competitively. My winter sport in high school was shooting a .22 rifle at 10 ring targets 50 feet away. I didnt get into wrestling until my freshman year at PSU when I took "jogging" for my phys ed requirement. I put "jogging" in quotes because the instructor was none other than Hachiro Oishi.

Hachiro defined "fun" before fun was a 4 letter word on HR. He would put you through the ringer with a smile on his face the entire time. Most of our "jogs" included wind sprints or running stairs at Beaver Stadium. As a cool down in Rec Hall, he would show us various wrestling moves which included him turning me into a human pretzel on a couple of occasions.

I've been a fan of PSU wrestling ever since and have passed on my limited knowledge of wrestling to my sons. (Its quite entertaining when your 12 year old executes a perfect hip toss on your 16 year old.)

 

[a_mshaffer]

Does that include state college? I thought that was district 6. The early to mid 80’s state college, bald eagle, philipsburg and clearfield dominated the state.

clearfield has always been district 9

 

[Gumby79]

I wrestled for Warrior Run in the late 70's and had a very unremarkable career. I can empathize with Devin Schnupp as I was overmatched everytime I stepped out on the mat.

My most notable match was the second meet of my sophomore year when Scott Lynch broke may scapula. (there is a reason that chicken wings are illegal) My opponents during my junior year reads like a who's who list of District 4 wrestlers. Manotti, Reese, Derr, and Seigal all placed 1st or 2nd at states. In spite of an 0-11 record, I was seeded 3rd at sectionals due to the number of "prestige points" I had accumulated. As a senior, I was content to wrestle JV behind Doug Buckwalter who was an All-American for Loch Haven and coached Central Mountain for many years.

Post high school, I officiated for many years in PA and Virginia.

 

[Dogwelder]

... I’ve sent wrestlers to Cornell, UVA, VT, UPENN, Brown, NC State, F&M, Navy, Northwestern, and of course PSU to name a few ...

Maybe one day your wrestlers will be good enuf to get into Rutgers!

 

[TangSoo]

Late 80’s were pretty good for those schools as well. I ran into them often in Altoona.

I had to go thru that meat grinder as well (early 80s). My school was AAA, but we wrestled mostly a AA schedule. I didn't see those guys until districts. One year I went 1-1-1 against AA guys who ended up placing at states. But I didn't make it out of 6 AAA districts. It was brutal.

 

[District four]

I wrestled for Warrior Run in the late 70's and had a very unremarkable career. I can empathize with Devin Schnupp as I was overmatched everytime I stepped out on the mat.

My most notable match was the second meet of my sophomore year when Scott Lynch broke may scapula. (there is a reason that chicken wings are illegal) My opponents during my junior year reads like a who's who list of District 4 wrestlers. Manotti, Reese, Derr, and Seigal all placed 1st or 2nd at states. In spite of an 0-11 record, I was seeded 3rd at sectionals due to the number of "prestige points" I had accumulated. As a senior, I was content to wrestle JV behind Doug Buckwalter who was an All-American for Loch Haven and coached Central Mountain for many years.

Post high school, I officiated for many years in PA and Virginia.

I went to warrior run in 80s. Bobby Simpson era. Was able to watch Jason Betz throughout his career. Live in lock haven now .watched buckwalter coach central central miss those Christmas tournaments at BEN .

 

[oldcougar65]

Here's a story with a PSU twist. Home from college over xmas break, I practiced with the high school. Wrestling my little brother, I threw a whizzer and the whole gym heard a pop. He had a cracked bone in his arm and was supposed to be out for a couple of months. Upper Darby was our big rival, and the meet was a few weeks before my bro's official re-start date. He wrestled anyway, went up a weight class and wrestled Andy Matter. He lost to Matter by a point - no practice for six weeks and arm still hurting. My bro wrestled 4 NCAA champs, went 1-3 and lost to the other 3 by a total of 4 points. Back in the day, I always bragged that I could beat Gable, cause he lost to Owings, Owings lost to Milkovich by 4, my bro lost to Milkovich by 2, and I knocked off my bro by 3 (hit a lucky pancake). You do the math. Love comparative scores.

 

[danoftw]

Wanted to be Mark Lieberman. Was the prototype Todrank. The Nolfs of the wrestling world need guys like Todrank and I. We aren't the champions. Don't need a trophy room to love wrestling. JR year I lived with my Mom in Massachusetts for a while and would bend up the kid a weight up from me. He placed at states the year before and I started thinking high placement state champ in MA. Came back to Dad and PA and got humble again.

 

[Lyco1990]

Started in second grade. Started 3 years in HS team ranked #1AA in PA. Wrestled 2 year top 10 D1 school lettered as freshman. Starter 4 years college. Wrestled 1year all Navy team made team for US Open qualifying all service championships but didn’t compete due to skin condition grrrr. Best win Scott Reichsteiner (Michigan AA), worst beating John Hanrahan x2. Beat and tied D3 National Champ, several D3 AA’s. Pinned Jay Billy, Ashland Ohio D2 finalist. Feel each match every morning.

PA AA District 4 Champion. Wrestled same guy Secionals District and Regionals each match OT, was 1-2 vs him a Pa 3rd. Both choked 1st round at states Sr year. Made it to states twice lost 1 st round to eventual champ leading 6-0 with 30 seconds left first time. Hit with 5
Headlocks in my life, all to one guy... he won EWLs as a freshman with that fn headlock.

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

Great write-ups, all! I don't usually talk about my time in the sport but what the heck.

Wrestled for 15 years, starting in 3rd grade through college. My wrestling epiphany came when I was 11 years old and started the year 10-2, only to lose my last 8 matches without scoring a point. My Dad (who was a wrestling coach) sat me down and told me I needed to decide whether I really wanted to wrestle or was just doing it for him. He said I should only continue if it was something I wanted to do and really enjoyed doing. It was at that moment that I dedicated myself to the sport and set a goal to be an All-American.

The next year I took third in PA Junior Wrestling (PJW) and was a PJW state champ at 14 years old. But HS was not good to me. I had a friend who was a year older and we were pretty much the same weight but he was just a bit better. Freshman year we were both at 98 lbs so I wrestled JV with a few spot starts. Beat several kids who went to districts but didn't get to wrestle at the end of the year. Soph year I went 23-2-1 in the regular season but my friend dropped and I went up in weight and lost in districts to kids who had all dropped from the weight above that! I just wasn't big or strong enough to complete with them. My junior year I went 20-0 in the regular season at my best weight but my friend dropped and so I tried to make the weight below that and it was a disaster. I had no strength, was starving myself to death, and wrestled like it. Lost in districts to a kid I'd beaten 3 times. Senior year I was cruising along at 25-1 when I injured my ankle and hobbled through end of year tournaments without practicing for about a month. After winning Districts, my ankle ballooned up and spent all week trying to rehab it enough to wrestling on Friday in Regionals. Made it to states but lost in the first round by a point to the kid who took 3rd. Back then you didn't get to wrestle back if you lost that early. Did beat 4 PA state champs during HS and 10+ state place winners. Won 89 matches in 3 years as a starter with 1/3 of them by fall.

Was recruited as a walk-on at PSU and wrestled on the team for three years. Unfortunately the wrestlers at my weight, the weight below me, and the weight above me combined for 7 All-American awards so I wrestled mostly in tournaments and exhibition matches. Like a lot of kids at that age, I was not mature enough to put my best foot forward in either the classroom or the mat during that period of time. The best thing Coach Lorenzo ever did was tell me if I didn't get my act together, he wasn't going to let me be on the team anymore. That'll whip you into shape quick! I completely turned everything around and started studying and training the right way soon thereafter. There's a 100 stories like this about Coach Lorenzo as he was a special coach and really cared for his athletes as people, not just wrestlers. Because I wasn't starting, my real season was summer freestyle tournaments. Was United States Wrestling Federation (USWF) PA state runner-up and a Keystone State Games champ. Finished fifth in the National AAU Freestyle Championships back when AAU was still a thing. Was a 3x AAU Mid-Atlantic regional runner-up too.

Once I got my head on straight, I realized that I wasn't going to achieve my goal of becoming an All-American at PSU given the competition in the room. So I made a really hard decision to transfer and try and realize my dream somewhere else. As school was most definitely my #1 priority by this time, I picked the college based on who had the best department for my major instead of the strength of the wrestling team or division level. Because of this experience, I have the utmost respect for wrestlers when they decide to go elsewhere as it's all about what's best for them. I had a chance to go to either Edinboro or West Virginia but instead chose to transfer to a D3 liberal arts college with a strong academic reputation. In my only year of wrestling eligibility there, I was a D3 All-American and defeated two wrestlers who made the D1 blood round. Also wrestled up a weight in a dual and beat a D3 National Champ.

I mostly agree with those who say you don't have to have wrestled to enjoy / appreciate the sport. I will say, however, that the amount of pressure at any National tournament is unbelievable ... particularly for those who wrestle in the blood round. While it was only D3, I wrestled in the blood round and can honestly say in 30+ years of running my own businesses and negotiating make or
break business deals, no situation has been as stressful and pressure filled as that match. Everything else is a piece of cake! For me, 15 years of dedication to the sport came down to a single, make or break match to become an All-American and I was fortunate enough to win. That's pressure!

I can honestly say the sport of wrestling has molded me into the person I am today. Set goals, focus on improvement, and have fun have been my motto in business, life, and coaching and they have served me well. #WeAre

 

[CropDuster507]

I was middle of the road. I definitely won the Apple Valley Greco-Roman Open in 2009 as a Cadet (big 10 year anniversary this year, little disappointed that we didn't stop the tournament and recognize my accomplishment... I did have a kid from Iowa in my bracket, which basically makes it a national championship).

That was the only tournament I ever won in HS. Made a couple of Greco teams in MN for Fargo. Was a 3 year captain and tore both labrums, separately, my senior year. Wasn't able to finish my senior season. Team was ranked as high as 6th my senior year, and we didn't get into the show. Immediately, my coach made sure I didn't go off the deep end and got me into coaching. Been coaching Freestyle and Greco ever since. Coached 3 years in the HS circuit.

PS **** THAT BITCH-ASS DOCTOR THAT TOLD ME I'D "BE OF NO HELP TO MY TEAM". **** THE MAYO CLINIC TOO.

 

[CoastFan]

I went to warrior run in 80s. Bobby Simpson era. Was able to watch Jason Betz throughout his career. Live in lock haven now .watched buckwalter coach central central miss those Christmas tournaments at BEN .

Thought you Warrior Run guys, including Gumby79, might like this article if you haven't seen before.

https://www.dailyitem.com/sports/h-...cle_133e64c8-1e21-11e6-92fe-639c040bbe3b.html

There's a name mentioned (George Cronrath) which should be expanded upon a bit. Cronrath was the undefeated state champion at 145 as a junior. Remember that this was back in the days when no one had to ask whether it was AA or AAA. You were THE state champion. He wrestled 154 as a senior and was undefeated through much of the season. Looked like he was in line for a second undefeated state championship, but...Cronrath's dad was a cop. One weekend evening, he discovered George had been drinking some beer. He went to the WR wrestling coach and informed him of George breaking that team prohibition. Cronrath was kicked off the team...He apologized before the student body at an assembly.

Tragically, George Cronrath was killed in an auto accident a number of years ago.

 

[HAMMER167]

...in college I wrestled at Penn State and was PSU's first recipient of the Ridge Riley Award, first PSU Midlands place-winner, and PSU's first to hit the 100 win club. I wrestled in 4 NCAA's and placed twice, both times future Olympic Champs were at the top of my podium (Schultz brothers). I am very grateful and very fortunate to have been coached by Andy Matter and Coach Lorenzo. My Junior year we took just 4 guys to NCAA's and finished as the 6th place team, and Coach Lorenzo was honored as the National Coach of the Year. I'm looking forward to being in Stillwater, Oklahoma next month for his induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Anyone else going out?

 

[Shot of Espresso]

I didn't fare well in wrestling because I played hoops and since it the same season I did not wrestle. Knowing what I know now I wish I got interested in wrestling when I was young. Wasn't til I went to PSU that I started appreciating this sport..

 

[NAtiger112]

I was the definition of an average high school wrestler. Made WPIALs all 4 years, but only won 1 match each time I was there. A lot of my issues were mental and I would psych myself out if I wrestled a guy ranked in the wpial. When we went to out of state tournaments or duals, I seemed to do much better. I remember going to the Cumberland Valley duals and after the fact seeing 3 of the guys I pinned or teched, ended up placing at states.

I ended up going to Edinboro and thought hard about walking on, however my love of food became too strong and went from 125 pounds my senior year to 172 on day one of college.

 

[oldcougar65]

Thought you Warrior Run guys, including Gumby79, might like this article if you haven't seen before.

https://www.dailyitem.com/sports/h-...cle_133e64c8-1e21-11e6-92fe-639c040bbe3b.html

There's a name mentioned (George Cronrath) which should be expanded upon a bit. Cronrath was the undefeated state champion at 145 as a junior. Remember that this was back in the days when no one had to ask whether it was AA or AAA. You were THE state champion. He wrestled 154 as a senior and was undefeated through much of the season. Looked like he was in line for a second undefeated state championship, but...Cronrath's dad was a cop. One weekend evening, he discovered George had been drinking some beer. He went to the WR wrestling coach and informed him of George breaking that team prohibition. Cronrath was kicked off the team...He apologized before the student body at an assembly.

Tragically, George Cronrath was killed in an auto accident a number of years ago.

A teammate of mine named Mike Knapp wrestled Cronrath in the semi-finals of states in '64. I remember watching the match. Sad to hear about his difficulties. Times were different back then. The quarterback of our undefeated football team was seen smoking a cigarette in Ocean City in August. He was not allowed to participate in any sports for a year.

 

[mjmirv]

I started in Kindergarten. I was a .500 wrestler at best. In 8th grade I was a backup to a kid who ended up wrestling at PSU. A car accident ended my career the next year. I Iike to think I was good enough to be a backup at PSU.

 

[mvattivo]

I wrestled since I was 6. Was pretty bad until about 10/11 and then got pretty solid and had some success in elementary and at AAU's.

I wrestled for Indian Valley High School in Central PA (Now Mifflin County High School). I finished with a 70-21-2 record over my 4 years as a starter there. We didn't wrestled as many matches back then. I got a lot of pins and techs, but, I'd have to dig for those numbers.

Junior year, I lost a very controversial semi-final match at districts. Then, I lost in my consy final by one point. Back then there were 16/17 kids at districts, and they only took the top 3 to Regionals.

Senior year, I made states and went 1-2. My win was a pin, and my losses were to the 2nd and 3rd place finisher (who was a returning runner-up).

 

[ThePSUOutsider]

Thought you Warrior Run guys, including Gumby79, might like this article if you haven't seen before.

https://www.dailyitem.com/sports/h-...cle_133e64c8-1e21-11e6-92fe-639c040bbe3b.html

There's a name mentioned (George Cronrath) which should be expanded upon a bit. Cronrath was the undefeated state champion at 145 as a junior. Remember that this was back in the days when no one had to ask whether it was AA or AAA. You were THE state champion. He wrestled 154 as a senior and was undefeated through much of the season. Looked like he was in line for a second undefeated state championship, but...Cronrath's dad was a cop. One weekend evening, he discovered George had been drinking some beer. He went to the WR wrestling coach and informed him of George breaking that team prohibition. Cronrath was kicked off the team...He apologized before the student body at an assembly.

Tragically, George Cronrath was killed in an auto accident a number of years ago.

Surprised to see this story on the BWI forum. Pretty accurate - only missing a few minor details.

 

[ThePSUOutsider]

A teammate of mine named Mike Knapp wrestled Cronrath in the semi-finals of states in '64. I remember watching the match. Sad to hear about his difficulties. Times were different back then. The quarterback of our undefeated football team was seen smoking a cigarette in Ocean City in August. He was not allowed to participate in any sports for a year.

I was told that the 12-6 victory in the SF was more difficult than the 5-0 win in the final.

Cronrath cut hard to make 127 as a sophomore, and decided he wasn’t going to cut any weight for his junior year. When weighing in for the state championships, he was told by the weighmaster that he was a 1/2 pound overweight. He informed the weighmaster that he was not a 138, but a 145.

 

[chalkstream1]

I started wrestling at New Castle HS in 9th grade because one of the kids on the team saw a couple little guys sitting together in the cafeteria and recruited us. I won a couple wrestle offs and wrestled in 1 tournament in Eastern Ohio early in the season. Then Marcus dropped down to 98 (a product of “the Sankey Center” ) and beat me multiple times in very close matches. I finished my 10th grade season and didn’t wrestle again.

 

[jrd23psu]

I wrestled from age 6 until I was 15. I would have been a four year starter in high school except I quit right before the high school season started. I would have been one of two freshman on the varsity team. I weighed 120lbs as a freshman and I didn't want to cut to 112lbs which is where the high school coach insisted I wrestle. The other kid at 112lbs was a senior and I wiped the mat with him every time we wrestled. I was good, too. I think I could have qualified for PIAAs a couple of times.

 

[johnstownsteel]

I wrestled from 3rd to 9th grade. Was one of the better wrestlers in my area during that time and qualified for the Junior Olympics state tourney 4 or 5 times placing twice. One year I bumped up so me and my twin brother werent in same weight class. The kid that won the state tourney in my brothers weight class I had beaten 3 or 4 times that year. I on the otherhand qualified at the higher weight but didnt place. Then my 8th grade year I again qualified but got seriously ill the day before the state tourney and the boy that took second behind me at the area qualifier went on and finished second at the state tourney. I always had the worst of luck. Lol

The summer of my freshman year I had big growth spurt and was around 6'2. I had a tough choice to make between playing basketball and wrestling. During my youth and Jr. High years, wrestling was winter sport and basketball was played in the spring in my area. I played both. There was actually a rare weekend where I wrestled in a late season match on a friday and then that same night I played in an opening round game at a basketball tourney. Lol. Anyway, I was a better basketball player than a wrestler... wrestling was in my heart but knew I'd be more successful playing basketball. In highschool, they were both winter sports... I couldnt do both so I chose basketball. It ended up being the right decision, had great hs teams and did quite well but my first love was always wrestling. Still is to this day....

 

[smealpsu2005]

i was 35-47 including an undefeated varsity career of 1-0. didn't wrestle college on account you need to be enrolled..in high school i was home schooled and wrassled at school near me.. so how did you do any state champs here. my fastest pin was 16 seconds i think. bated my leg at the whistle and spladdle to pin. ca powie

Started wrestling in 3rd grade. Wrestled every year except 9th when I played basketball. Wrestled 189 in varsity. Wrestled in WPIAL in the same section with very good programs Franklin Regional, Plum and Kiski. Had a tough Junior year (1st year at varsity, 10-18) worked my ass off in the off season and senior year went 18-7. Separated my shoulder in practice the week of the section tournament and ended my season/career. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about not having a chance to make a run for states and I am 43 years old. Love the sport. One of my favorite moments was actually in defeat my sophomore year. I wrestled JV weighing 172. We were wrestling a team that we haven’t beaten in 30+ years. To try to win the dual, my coach put me in at 189 against a pretty tough senior from Penn Hills. I had the keep the match a decision and our starting 189 had to bump up to heavy and win by pin. I was down 8-0 in the third. He was riding me pretty tough, however he got too high and I was able to reverse him and put him on his back. He rolled through with only a 4 count and I cut him...went for the win . The match ended 9-4. Our 189 ended up pinning the heavy and we won the dual.

 

[El-Jefe]

Shocking that this zombie thread, started (probably to collect credentials to use against everyone later) by an obvious troll who got ban hammered many months ago, has risen from the dead.

 

[Lyco1990]

Had an interesting career. 2X PIAA qualifier. Lost to Same guy first round both years an eventual state champ. Up 6-0 with 30 seconds left lost 10-7 2 fkn headlocks (only guy that ever in 18 years). Wrestled for Clarion as a true freshman 5-4 record beat d2 NC and Scott Reichsteiner Michigan (eventual AA) wrestled all navy wrestling team worked out partner David Butler Olympian. Wrestled three years D3 beating several AAs including NC from Del Val. He was 44-1-2 and I was his one loss and one tie. HS team included Jim Martin and Rob Meloy. Never in the big spotlight but no one wanted me in an early draw.

 

[Zjocko]

3 time state placer in Idaho. 2nd being my highest finish. I wrestled Cael in the Tiger Grizz finals at 171, he only beat me by 2 touchdowns and 2 2-Pont conversions. He is what made me follow PSU.

 

[CurtisLoew40]

i was 35-47 including an undefeated varsity career of 1-0. didn't wrestle college on account you need to be enrolled..in high school i was home schooled and wrassled at school near me.. so how did you do any state champs here. my fastest pin was 16 seconds i think. bated my leg at the whistle and spladdle to pin. ca powie

Didn't wrestle in college. Played football.

 

[roverwrestling]

This thread was fantastic to read.
I started wrestling when I was 5. Made the finals of an Erie tournament at 119 in my first ever varsity wrestling event. My team was very successful my freshmen and sophomore years. We made the state semi finals my freshmen year, we got smoked by Wilson Area. My sophomore year we made the state finals, but we fell short to Juniata. We had 8-10 state qualifiers on our team, a few state champions, and several placers. I placed and won several varsity tournaments. I definitely credit a lot of my success from practicing with a 2 time state champ and top 4 finisher everyday. It’s true when they say practice with the best people in the room. I ended up getting a D2 scholarship. I started 2 years in college, tore my rotator cuff/labrum my sophomore year at NCAA regionals. Wrestling was never the same. I feel for guys now when I see injured shoulders.

 

[Folkstylefan]

El jefe, was wondering same when I first seen this thread. Someone trying to get info to put down anyones posts, based on wrestling prowess lol.

 

[jrd23psu]

I wrestled from 3rd to 9th grade. Was one of the better wrestlers in my area during that time and qualified for the Junior Olympics state tourney 4 or 5 times placing twice. One year I bumped up so me and my twin brother werent in same weight class. The kid that won the state tourney in my brothers weight class I had beaten 3 or 4 times that year. I on the otherhand qualified at the higher weight but didnt place. Then my 8th grade year I again qualified but got seriously ill the day before the state tourney and the boy that took second behind me at the area qualifier went on and finished second at the state tourney. I always had the worst of luck. Lol

The summer of my freshman year I had big growth spurt and was around 6'2. I had a tough choice to make between playing basketball and wrestling. During my youth and Jr. High years, wrestling was winter sport and basketball was played in the spring in my area. I played both. There was actually a rare weekend where I wrestled in a late season match on a friday and then that same night I played in an opening round game at a basketball tourney. Lol. Anyway, I was a better basketball player than a wrestler... wrestling was in my heart but knew I'd be more successful playing basketball. In highschool, they were both winter sports... I couldnt do both so I chose basketball. It ended up being the right decision, had great hs teams and did quite well but my first love was always wrestling. Still is to this day....

Your story is pretty similar to mine. I went to the JO state tournament when I was 13 (7th grade) and lost in the semis to the kid who won states. Then I wrestled a returning state champ in the consolations and lost. The ref called a PD on me when I had a half and arm bar for no real reason. After the match the kid said he also didn't know why it was called and admitted that it was so deep I would have pinned him. The next year I didn't make weight for the area tournament. I would have easily won the area tournament that year. I just hated cutting weight.

 

[PASLP2]

I started wrestling at 5. I won a pa state title my junior year and finished 3rd my senior yr. I earned a scholarship to a PA D1 school. I had an okay true freshman year, as I was able to place at several open tournaments. I had a losing record my RS freshman year as a starter. Quit wrestling the following year, and I regret it to this day. Definitely lost my focus and wrestling lost its fun factor for me. About once a month I have a dream I am 21 again and still have 1 year eligibility. It’s tough to admit I quit something that I dedicated so much time and effort. On a positive note, school became much easier after wrestling and my grades improved, allowing me to get into a graduate school program. Became a big fan of Psu once Cael was hired.

 

[PAgeologist]

Shocking that this zombie thread, started (probably to collect credentials to use against everyone later) by an obvious troll who got ban hammered many months ago, has risen from the dead.

I had just gotten my Fester Adams to English decoder ring. Then he was banned. Guess I'll put it next to my Spyker to English decoder ring.

 

[hazeydave]

Thought you Warrior Run guys, including Gumby79, might like this article if you haven't seen before.

https://www.dailyitem.com/sports/h-...cle_133e64c8-1e21-11e6-92fe-639c040bbe3b.html

There's a name mentioned (George Cronrath) which should be expanded upon a bit. Cronrath was the undefeated state champion at 145 as a junior. Remember that this was back in the days when no one had to ask whether it was AA or AAA. You were THE state champion. He wrestled 154 as a senior and was undefeated through much of the season. Looked like he was in line for a second undefeated state championship, but...Cronrath's dad was a cop. One weekend evening, he discovered George had been drinking some beer. He went to the WR wrestling coach and informed him of George breaking that team prohibition. Cronrath was kicked off the team...He apologized before the student body at an assembly.

Tragically, George Cronrath was killed in an auto accident a number of years ago.

This story compels me to join in.

I graduated in '82 from Warrior Run. My Dad was a teammate of George Cronrath- having graduated a couple years ahead of him. He (my Dad) was the school's first state finalist, having lost 8-6 in the 1962 state championship match to Jerry Swope from Lock Haven.

I had a good, not great, career in HS that was cut short. George Cronrath's son, Pete, was a teammate of mine my senior year. Went to states my junior year and lost in first round to eventual state champion. At that time, there were no wrestlebacks.

Was having a very nice senior year, having beaten the defending state champ and other eventual state placewinners before breaking my leg in practice two weeks before sectionals. Was recruited by numerous schools- including the aforementioned Jerry Swope who, at that time, was head coach at Millersville, and Rich Lorenzo but I ended up wrestling at Bloomsburg- had a .500 freshman year and was on the team with the Bonomo brothers their first (redshirt) season. Over Thanksgiving break my sophomore year I got honest with myself that I didn't have the drive anymore and that was it for me. Still love wrestling!

Oh- and I was Gumby79's best man!

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

I graduated high school in 1982 in Oregon. I was a three-year varsity starter on a team (North Bend) that was ranked #1 in the state on several occasions and won it my freshman year. I only made it to State one year and did not place. I never seemed to have the conditioning or mental toughness to excel in the sport. I very much envy wrestlers like Vincenzo who wrestle so freely. I was one of those wrestlers who could hang with or beat state champions in practice, but always tightened up for competition matches. It assuredly didn't help that I was cutting so much weight. For example, one time I cut 18 1/2 pounds between a Monday morning and the Thursday afternoon weigh-in. It also stole the joy of the sport for me.

In college, I wrestled NJCAA for two years in Oregon, making the National tournament my sophomore year, going 1 and 1. I then competed one year as a backup/room guy at Southern Oregon University (NAIA). By the end of that year I had lost the desire to compete, and did not wrestle my senior year. When I was at Southern Oregon University both Dave (R.I.P.) and Mark Schultz would sometimes drop by for practice. Dave always seemed like such a genuinely nice guy. I was too shy to introduce myself to him, but he introduced himself to me later when he quickly pinned me at an open tournament : ). I was so nervous I could barely move. I am so thankful for the lessons and discipline wrestling taught me, although it took me well into adulthood to process those lessons.