WHAT BACKUPS WHO BECAME STARTERS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR TEAM'S WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP?

[BDB57]

I started this thread after this was posted on HR's site:

"Am I the only one who doesn't really care about depth? It's tough to get one guy at each weight who can score points at nationals, and trying to get two at each weight is impossible.

Sure, if a top guy goes down having a decent backup might help you in a couple of close duals; but that backup isn't going to help you a nationals. So, as someone once said, what does it matter?"

I immediately thought James English. But surely there are others. With OSU and IA leading the way with huge numbers and MN winning on the strength of 10 AAs their fan bases surely can dig up others. And if anyone can come with others I'd love to hear who and when.

 

[The Stan]

James English, guess I should have read the post, not just the title...

 

[oldlion57]

In 1954-55 Larry Fornicola was a back-up until the second semester. He took over for a wrestler who was ineligible. Larry went undefeated, won the EIWA and NCAA Championships and the team finished 2nd in the NCAAs.

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[BDB57]

My barber went to school with Larry and has told me about him doing that as a backup......amazing! How close were we to winning NCAAs?