Rank your 3 timers

[Conewago]

Take off from sunshinedynomite's other thread about 4 timers.

Here are my top 4 3-timers, off the top of my head:

1) Yojiro Uetake, Okie State
2) Ed Ruth, Penn State
3) Ed Banach, Iowa
4) Carlton Haselrig, Pitt-Johnstown .... you know, since he's actually a SIX timer

Initially I was going to rank Banach ahead of Ruth, but Ruth actually had a superior win-loss record, although it's debatable that Banach might have faced tougher competition over all 4 years. Notably, Mike Mann (Iowa State) and Mark Schultz (who handed Banach his only finals loss in a great match) were legendary tough men. But I'll do the homer thing and take Ed Ruth.

It's hard to find much video of Uetake, but, in case you didn't know (most of you do), he went undefeated over 3 years of wrestling at Oklahoma State. Myron Roderick said the Japanese lightweight was "by far" the best wrestler he ever saw or coached.

 

[McScoreley]

1 and 2 has to be Uetake and Danny Hodge ... then I'd have Nickal, Nolf, Zain (in no order) to wrap it up

 

[El-Jefe]

Zain went undefeated his last 3 years, with 2 Hodges.

 

[McScoreley]

Zain went undefeated his last 3 years, with 2 Hodges.

All about context here also, as you pointed out before, Zain was really the best wrestler in college his last 3 years (Ringer won the 2016 Hodge off the past achievements criteria)

He also took one for the team and wrestled as an undersized freshman where Stieber was sitting (even beating him once) when we needed the points, had he redshirted .....

 

[El-Jefe]

For reference, here is the complete list of D1 3x champs:

Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2017-19
Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2017-19
Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2016-18
Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2016-18
J'Den Cox (Missouri) 2014, 2016-17
Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2014-16
Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2012-14
Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2003, 2005-2006
Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2002, 2004-2005
Stephen Abas (Fresno State) 1999, 2001-2002
Eric Guerrero (Oklahoma State) 1997-1999
Joe Williams (Iowa) 1996-1998
Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa) 1993-1994, 1997
TJ Jaworsky (North Carolina) 1993-1995
Tom Brands (Iowa) 1990-1992
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 1987-1989
Ricky Bonomo (Bloomsburg) 1985-1987
Barry Davis (Iowa) 1982-1983, 1985
Jim Zalesky (Iowa) 1982-1984
Nate Carr (Iowa State) 1981-1983
Mark Schultz (Oklahoma) 1981-1983
Ed Banach (Iowa) 1980-1981, 1983
Mark Churella (Michigan) 1977-1979
Lee Kemp (Wisconsin) 1976-1978
Jimmy Jackson (Oklahoma State) 1976-1978
Greg Johnson (Michigan State) 1970-1972
Mike Caruso (Lehigh) 1965-1967
Yojiro Uetake (Oklahoma State) 1964-1966
Gray Simons (Lock Haven) 1960-1962
Larry Hayes (Iowa State) 1959-1961

 

[matter7172]

1 and 2 has to be Uetake and Danny Hodge ... then I'd have Nickal, Nolf, Zain (in no order) to wrap it up

Close. They are 2 and 3. Bill Koll is #1, imo. Like with Lee Alcindor, if they charge rules because you are too dominant, it's very telling.

ETA, if we just looked at 3years body of work, Zain, Nolf Nickal and Ruth would possibly change things (ignoring their freshman years(.

 

[amattaro]

2, 1, 1, 1 with only two legit losses by one point to a 4x Finalist, 2x champion.

Give me Nolf, or give me a Wynn Dixie.

 

[ad1986]

Ed Banach was so close to being a 4 timer, he lost as a junior in 1982 to Mark Schultz in the finals. That Schultz/ Banach may have the best final matchup ever.
Kemp won three NCAA titles after dropping a close decision in the finals as a freshman.

 

[osu2082]

For reference, here is the complete list of D1 3x champs:

Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2017-19
Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2017-19
Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2016-18
Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2016-18
J'Den Cox (Missouri) 2014, 2016-17
Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2014-16
Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2012-14
Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2003, 2005-2006
Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2002, 2004-2005
Stephen Abas (Fresno State) 1999, 2001-2002
Eric Guerrero (Oklahoma State) 1997-1999
Joe Williams (Iowa) 1996-1998
Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa) 1993-1994, 1997
TJ Jaworsky (North Carolina) 1993-1995
Tom Brands (Iowa) 1990-1992
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 1987-1989
Ricky Bonomo (Bloomsburg) 1985-1987
Barry Davis (Iowa) 1982-1983, 1985
Jim Zalesky (Iowa) 1982-1984
Nate Carr (Iowa State) 1981-1983
Mark Schultz (Oklahoma) 1981-1983
Ed Banach (Iowa) 1980-1981, 1983
Mark Churella (Michigan) 1977-1979
Lee Kemp (Wisconsin) 1976-1978
Jimmy Jackson (Oklahoma State) 1976-1978
Greg Johnson (Michigan State) 1970-1972
Mike Caruso (Lehigh) 1965-1967
Yojiro Uetake (Oklahoma State) 1964-1966
Gray Simons (Lock Haven) 1960-1962
Larry Hayes (Iowa State) 1959-1961

Curious to know how many achieved that wrestling as a true freshman without taking a RS year. Not a major differentiator but something interesting to look at. Some fantastic wrestlers on there obviously.

 

[Dogwelder]

The top (most famous) two-timer of the past decade or so:

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

The top (most famous) two-timer of the past decade or so:

He doesnt count, he cheated.

 

[uncle jim 62]

Kemp (losing a close decision as a freshman) yes lost a 4-4 ref decision to Chuck Yagla. Also as I previously mentioned beat Dan Gable that same year at the (Northern open) Gable was coaching but only 3 years after his Olympic Gold. Lee Kemp was as close to a four timer as you can be. His beating Gable was maybe the reason they gave the match to Yagla. NOBODY is suppose to beat Gable.Thank god we now wrestle till there is a winner! Amazon Prime has a great documentary about Kemp if you have it I would encourage the watch.

 

[baccafarmer]

The top (most famous) two-timer of the past decade or so:

Perfect!

 

[jrod65]

Curious to know how many achieved that wrestling as a true freshman without taking a RS year.

Below is a nice article about the subject. Need to add a few names(Hall, Lee, Yianni) to the list as the article was from 2016. As far as three-timers that won as true freshman, I think the only ones were Lincoln McIlravy and J'Den Cox.

*edit* I am at work(kind of) so I may have missed someone...

https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/16752

 

[sunshinedynomite]

So tough

my four favorites.

Bo
Jason
Zain
Eddie

 

[Dogwelder]

So tough

my four favorites.

Bo
Jason
Zain
Eddie

Eddie?

 

[AgSurfer]

Only the older guys would remember Gray Simons who was a 3 timer for Lock Haven. There was some footage of him on the Internet a while back and he was really good. Any knowledgeable wrestling historian would include him on a best ever list.

 

[NoVa Lion]

Eddie?

Edward.

 

[Dogwelder]

Edward.

I just noticed that Edward and Edmond seem to have a brother named Eddie. In a blurb on Edmond:

“... Personal: Son of Eddie and Thanayi… siblings Eddie, Thanayi and Edward… brother Edward was NCAA Champion wrestler at Penn State.“

(https://lehighsports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/edmond-ruth/13936 )

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

The top (most famous) two-timer of the past decade or so:

If girlfriends were NCAA titles, he’d put Haselrig to shame.

 

[El-Jefe]

The top (most famous) two-timer of the past decade or so:

Bobby Petrino is up there too.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

Only the older guys would remember Gray Simons who was a 3 timer for Lock Haven. There was some footage of him on the Internet a while back and he was really good. Any knowledgeable wrestling historian would include him on a best ever list.

had the pleasure of watching grey while an undergrad at then lock haven state college. absolutely one of the best i've ever seen. had there been freshmen eligibility at that time, grey would have been a 4 timer. he was that good. lhsc had several other va. guys around that time, freddy powell & john smith. if memory serves(and lately it doesn't sometimes), freddy also won a ncaa championship.

 

[osu2082]

Below is a nice article about the subject. Need to add a few names(Hall, Lee, Yianni) to the list as the article was from 2016. As far as three-timers that won as true freshman, I think the only ones were Lincoln McIlravy and J'Den Cox.

*edit* I am at work(kind of) so I may have missed someone...

https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/16752

I ask because I give some extra credence to guys who went right away and missed out on a NC as a true freshman and the one 3 in a row. Take for example Zain and Derringer. Had they RS both would have increased their chances to be a four timer.

 

[jrod65]

I ask because I give some extra credence to guys who went right away and missed out on a NC as a true freshman and the one 3 in a row. Take for example Zain and Derringer. Had they RS both would have increased their chances to be a four timer.

I'm on board with that line of thinking as well. Joe Williams is another example of 3xers that started as a true freshman, taking 7th. He then redshirted and followed that up with 3 nattys.

 

[NoVa Lion]

I'm on board with that line of thinking as well. Joe Williams is another example of 3xers that started as a true freshman, taking 7th. He then redshirted and followed that up with 3 nattys.

Williams was fun to watch. I always thought of him when watching Ruth wrestle. Same non chalant still like they didn't have a care in the world and the whole thing was just a walk in the park.

Williams used to stick his left leg out and then lean forward with his left forearm on top of his thigh and dare you to come after him and then BOOM. His little brother was pretty good too.

 

[jtothemfp]

Kemp (losing a close decision as a freshman) yes lost a 4-4 ref decision to Chuck Yagla. Also as I previously mentioned beat Dan Gable that same year at the (Northern open) Gable was coaching but only 3 years after his Olympic Gold. Lee Kemp was as close to a four timer as you can be. His beating Gable was maybe the reason they gave the match to Yagla. NOBODY is suppose to beat Gable.Thank god we now wrestle till there is a winner! Amazon Prime has a great documentary about Kemp if you have it I would encourage the watch.

Wow, found it, thanks for the tip! Will watch soon.
Amazon product ASIN B07WWFZ9D7

 

[Conewago]

Zain went undefeated his last 3 years, with 2 Hodges.

For various personal reasons, Zain is my favorite wrestler, possibly ever, and certainly at PSU.

But if I look at what Ruth did as a freshman - losing only twice, one of those by injury default to a man he subsequently murdered as a sophomore - I am willing to put him ahead of Zain.

Of course Ed did have the advantage of a redshirt year. It's open for debate whether a redshirt would have made Zain a 4 timer.

 

[Conewago]

1 and 2 has to be Uetake and Danny Hodge ... then I'd have Nickal, Nolf, Zain (in no order) to wrap it up

You're right. I'd consider finding a way to get Hodge on that list. But dadgum was Ed Banach ever awesome.

 

[uncle jim 62]

no, just no. Uetake was good, the second best 3 timer

 

[y2jriden]

For reference, here is the complete list of D1 3x champs:

Bo Nickal (Penn State) 2017-19
Jason Nolf (Penn State) 2017-19
Zain Retherford (Penn State) 2016-18
Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) 2016-18
J'Den Cox (Missouri) 2014, 2016-17
Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) 2014-16
Ed Ruth (Penn State) 2012-14
Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) 2003, 2005-2006
Greg Jones (West Virginia) 2002, 2004-2005
Stephen Abas (Fresno State) 1999, 2001-2002
Eric Guerrero (Oklahoma State) 1997-1999
Joe Williams (Iowa) 1996-1998
Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa) 1993-1994, 1997
TJ Jaworsky (North Carolina) 1993-1995
Tom Brands (Iowa) 1990-1992
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) 1987-1989
Ricky Bonomo (Bloomsburg) 1985-1987
Barry Davis (Iowa) 1982-1983, 1985
Jim Zalesky (Iowa) 1982-1984
Nate Carr (Iowa State) 1981-1983
Mark Schultz (Oklahoma) 1981-1983
Ed Banach (Iowa) 1980-1981, 1983
Mark Churella (Michigan) 1977-1979
Lee Kemp (Wisconsin) 1976-1978
Jimmy Jackson (Oklahoma State) 1976-1978
Greg Johnson (Michigan State) 1970-1972
Mike Caruso (Lehigh) 1965-1967
Yojiro Uetake (Oklahoma State) 1964-1966
Gray Simons (Lock Haven) 1960-1962
Larry Hayes (Iowa State) 1959-1961

To your earlier point, how many of these guys were 3x and undefeated all three times? I only know of one for sure.

 

[PSUcup1]

To your earlier point, how many of these guys were 3x and undefeated all three times? I only know of one for sure.

Dan Hodge is not on the list, but he won 3 titles and was 46-0 for his career. Earl MeCready from Ok St was a 3X champ & unbeaten as well

 

[AgSurfer]

Another point about Uetake that hasn't been mentioned is that he wasn't just a 3X NCAA champion. He was also a 2X Olympic gold medalist! He is considered by many to be one of the best P4P wrestlers ever.

 

[osu2082]

Another point about Uetake that hasn't been mentioned is that he wasn't just a 3X NCAA champion. He was also a 2X Olympic gold medalist! He is considered by many to be one of the best P4P wrestlers ever.

I think he only wrestled 3 years in Stillwater and was undefeated all 3 years. I’d have to look into it but there is also an absurd stat about the low number of TDs he allowed in his career. One of the best and most dominant wrestlers in NCAA history.

 

[AgSurfer]

I think he only wrestled 3 years in Stillwater and was undefeated all 3 years. I’d have to look into it but there is also an absurd stat about the low number of TDs he allowed in his career. One of the best and most dominant wrestlers in NCAA history.

Darrell Keller told me a funny story once about how Uetake used reverse psychology on his brother Dwayne when he first came to Ok State. Evidently, Uetake really browbeat him, telling him he would never be good enough to be a national champion. That got to Dwayne and made totally determined to prove to Uetake that he was wrong. He made his point when he beat Rick Sanders for the 123 lb title in 1968. (In Rec Hall! I was there)

 

[oldcougar65]

Only the older guys would remember Gray Simons who was a 3 timer for Lock Haven. There was some footage of him on the Internet a while back and he was really good. Any knowledgeable wrestling historian would include him on a best ever list.

When I was growing up, Elliot Gray Simons was the god of wrestling. Then Uetake came along and replaced him in the heavenly hierarchy. I met Gray Simons at the Lehigh-Army meet at West Point when I was in 8th or 9th grade. He was an assistant coach for Army. A really great guy who took time to talk wrestling with a little kid.
As a wrestler he was great. And Uetake? He belongs at or near the top of any list of GOATs