Wrestler You Were Most in Awe of in High School

[Sportfan2017]

To expand upon my first ever tournament experience, I walked into Altoona Field house late for the District 6 tournament and the place was packed. I was standing just inside the door and was literally standing mat-side to the match on my left. It was Eric Brugel vs a kid from Altoona. He was one of the Baranik Brothers...Dan I believe. Brugel ( who I later learned had the nickname "Brutal" from the locals) was winning against Baranik. But Brugel got called for an Illegal slam and I could hear some guys from the Altoona side telling him not to continue. I really didn't understand the rules but I remember Baranik waving them off and saying something to the effect of "I ain't gonna do that" and walked back on the mat and lost. I later found out how noble that was. Much respect to Baranik.
As I said...the place was packed. Elbow to elbow. Except at the far left corner of the gym .....which is where I went. I learned that is where the Philipsburg Oceola fans sat. I soon learned why there were openings . Screaming and foot stomping so hard my butt was moving. They weren't just cheering their wrestlers.....they seemed to get louder when someone from State College, Clearfield or Altoona lost. But they really went crazy when someone from Bald Eagle lost. I sat with them at regionals that year and both sessions the following year. Fun memories.

 

[mhlarch]

Lee Kemp of Wisconsin and Bruce Kinseth of Iowa, with Randy Lewis a close second to Kinseth. I know this sounds traitorous, but let me explain.

Kemp stayed with our family when he competed at the NWCA All Star Classic held at F&M in the late 70's. Prior to him staying with us, he was featured in a Sports Illustrated piece...so I was awestruck when I met him. Funny part of the story is that Lancaster was hit with a total blizzard when we picked him up the night before the match. Getting him back to F&M the day after was no picnic either. Worst part of this was he ended up tying Dan Hicks of Oregon State in that match. He was disappointed but still a real gentleman.

As far as Kinseth, I attended the Iowa 28 Day intensive Camp in Iowa City in the early 80's. He was a class guy and excellent teacher, and this just after he pinned his way thru the B10's and NCAA's. Lewis was also excellent and when at the camp I found out he was born without one pectoral muscle. Cool guy and also a legend.

 

[voltz99]

Sure were. I can still remember watching Brinzer setting up his Gumby doll…

I think it is on YouTube with the coke bottle glasses

 

[creamery freak]

Ed wrestled in the states his senior year with a separated shoulder.

He was tough and back when Ed Ott and Dan Muthler wrestled there wasn't AA and AAA. Only one classification and you were the best at your weight.

 

[Raw Daddy]

1988 HS Graduate (Chief Logan) - having a state champ in your school was thrilling (Joe Daubert HWT)

My list would have over 3 dozen kids on it --- I got the never ending itch in 1983 watching 2x champ Phil Mary getting stuck by Don Peters --- the roof blew off the Hersheypark Arena ...

Shameless plug - I converted all of my VHS tapes from the 80s/90s PA Finals - they are uploaded on youtube if you haven't seen them

What is your name on there to find your channel?

 

[lockhavenlion3]

From the LH, BEN, SV or Keystone school district I would go with 3 time PIAA champ Terry Williams. Upper body (mostly headlocks) galore but a damn good double leg.

mike johnson, lock haven high school. never lost a hs match.

 

[Nitlion1986]

mike johnson, lock haven high school. never lost a hs match.

Mike was a legend who I had the pleasure of meeting, but never saw wrestle.

 

[Cbl50]

Lee Kemp of Wisconsin and Bruce Kinseth of Iowa, with Randy Lewis a close second to Kinseth. I know this sounds traitorous, but let me explain.

Kemp stayed with our family when he competed at the NWCA All Star Classic held at F&M in the late 70's. Prior to him staying with us, he was featured in a Sports Illustrated piece...so I was awestruck when I met him. Funny part of the story is that Lancaster was hit with a total blizzard when we picked him up the night before the match. Getting him back to F&M the day after was no picnic either. Worst part of this was he ended up tying Dan Hicks of Oregon State in that match. He was disappointed but still a real gentleman.

As far as Kinseth, I attended the Iowa 28 Day intensive Camp in Iowa City in the early 80's. He was a class guy and excellent teacher, and this just after he pinned his way thru the B10's and NCAA's. Lewis was also excellent and when at the camp I found out he was born without one pectoral muscle. Cool guy and also a legend.

Are you sure that All Star meet was at F&M and not at Lehigh? I went there with my HS coach from Chambersburg and saw Lee Kemp and thought that was the location. All of the projected line up made it to the event except for Lehigh's own Mark Lieberman, go figure. It was an amazing event.

 

[Cbl50]

Best high school wrestler for me was Bob Weaver of Easton seeing him win 1976 & 1977 states. His win over undefeated freshman Ken Whitsel from Lewistown in 1977 finals was a classic. Cool to see him win 1984 Olympics at 105.5 weight class.

 

[a_mshaffer]

Beat Big Jim Dickson from Philipsburg-Osceola. Dickson weighed more than 350.

worked with Jim and his family down at the mill in the summer.

 

[a_mshaffer]

Best high school wrestler for me was Bob Weaver of Easton seeing him win 1976 & 1977 states. His win over undefeated freshman Ken Whitsel from Lewistown in 1977 finals was a classic. Cool to see him win 1984 Olympics at 105.5 weight class.

I think Whitsel was a direct descendant from one of the Maurey bros' from Clearfield who won a few state titles.

 

[a_mshaffer]

not sure I was in 'awe' of any HS wrestler when I was in HS... there were a few around - Was aware of Bobby Weaver winning. Saw Darkus and Nate Carr live and appreciated their talents. The awe probable was towards Gable as I remember news channel highlighting his olympic win as a small kid. We had a few guys in the area that were good - White from WestBranch (or MoValley?) was good and was a PSU stud ... btw - he is struggling with memory and getting treatment... very sad

 

[PSU_Lion_Fan]

For me, it was Don McCorkel from Hershey. Don’s two younger brothers were two of my closest friends in high school. In 1973, Don won a state championship at I believe 185lbs. Back then, PA only had one state champion per weight class. Don went on to wrestle for Lehigh, where he became an AA. He also represented team USA domestically and internationally in freestyle. Knowing Don and following his career introduced me to the sport and was probably the spark that ignited my love of the sport.

 

[RoverNation05]

Best high school wrestler for me was Bob Weaver of Easton seeing him win 1976 & 1977 states. His win over undefeated freshman Ken Whitsel from Lewistown in 1977 finals was a classic. Cool to see him win 1984 Olympics at 105.5 weight class.

Steve Powell has incredible Bobby Weaver stories, those were his first couple years as an assistant at Easton. Also wild to think about in the current era, there were no RTCs or big clubs, so when Weaver went to Olympic Trial finals summer after his junior year, his training partners to get ready the best in America were Powell and middle school English teacher/young assistant coach Dan Coon. Slightly different than Jax Forrest’s trials prep.

Slightly fudging the topic timeframe, but awe is how I’d describe watching Steve Mocco when I was in junior high. He was more myth than man, he barely spoke, he was mean as hell, you could show a drive in movie on his back, and there were all these tall tales that trickled out of Blair about him, many of which Jeff Buxton confirmed years later.

Those early ‘00s Blair teams had lots of guys who were both impressive and intimidating, many of whom went into great careers and you’ve heard of, others who have faded into history. Ryan Davis being the “one that faded” that sticks out, he was an absolute monster before neck injuries ruined his career.

This is also probably cheating, but young Jordan Oliver is one I’ll never forget. He used to tag along with Josh (his older brother) everywhere, he was this tiny little thing, and he would kill kids four and five years older than him in workouts. He could also see something one time and immediately replicate it, so he had this arsenal of moves as a little kid that was unfair.

 

[AgSurfer]

Another HS guy who was very good was Mike Frick who later won an NCAA title at Lehigh. I saw Frick wrestle for the USA team during a USA vs USSR dual at Muhlenberg College. Frick was still in HS at that time and if I recall, he held his own against his Russian opponent.

FYI - you D3 guys probably remember Mark Stauffer from Lower Dauphin. His older brother George and I were pretty good friends and I remember going to a birthday party for Mark at their farm in Hummelstown. The whole Lehigh team was there including Frick. It was a pretty fun evening for all.

 

[matter7172]

For me, it was Don McCorkel from Hershey. Don’s two younger brothers were two of my closest friends in high school. In 1973, Don won a state championship at I believe 185lbs. Back then, PA only had one state champion per weight class. Don went on to wrestle for Lehigh, where he became an AA. He also represented team USA domestically and internationally in freestyle. Knowing Don and following his career introduced me to the sport and was probably the spark that ignited my love of the sport.

As I said in another thread, my first high school match (on the JVs) was about a few weeks after I was starting my first year wrestling at Lebanon High School. The match was against Hershey. I was the only guy to win on the JVs and one after another, our varsity guys went down to defeat until our 154 won his match. Our best wrestler was our senior 180. He could beat everyone on our team except our coach, strong as an ox. He took the mat against some kid (also a sophomore) with glasses - totally unassuming looking kid. The kid won. We were in shock. The kid was Don McCorkel. He was the 185 champ in 1973.

 

[Lovethissport]

As a Jersey guy for me it has to be Gene Mills. More often than not when he got on top, the match was over. His collegiate record is 144-5-1 with 107 falls, two NCAA championships and four all-American finishes. I later got to meet Gene a bunch of times including when he was coaching at Syracuse and recruited me. What a huge personality too. With guys getting fewer matches these days and the tech fall rule, I doubt anyone ever approaches that pin record.

 

[82bordeaux]

For me it was Nate Carr and Kevin Darkus. Wrestled on the same HS team as Kevin, while Nate wrestled for a different Erie HS ("Tech Memorial" at the time - most of Nate's brothers wrestled for "East High" another Erie HS at the time). Both would go on to become highly decorated Folkstyle and Freestyle wrestlers including both wrestling for the US National Mens Team.

We almost certainly have to know each other.

 

[dms87]

Rico Chiapparelli, the Baltimore Butcher. Mean and exciting, excellent scrambler. We wrestled his prep school yearly. Followed his success at Iowa and then in MMA.

 

[jtothemfp]

Lol

.

lol. I think I did and then later deleted it. But we weren’t teammates. Same district though!

Will you tell me what team you were on?

 

[82bordeaux]

Will you tell me what team you were on?

Whiteclaw H.S.

 

[royboy]

Another HS guy who was very good was Mike Frick who later won an NCAA title at Lehigh. I saw Frick wrestle for the USA team during a USA vs USSR dual at Muhlenberg College. Frick was still in HS at that time and if I recall, he held his own against his Russian opponent.

FYI - you D3 guys probably remember Mark Stauffer from Lower Dauphin. His older brother George and I were pretty good friends and I remember going to a birthday party for Mark at their farm in Hummelstown. The whole Lehigh team was there including Frick. It was a pretty fun evening for all.

Hard to believe that Lower Dauphin, a good wrestling school for a long period of time, has not yet produced a PA state champ.

 

[matter7172]

Another HS guy who was very good was Mike Frick who later won an NCAA title at Lehigh. I saw Frick wrestle for the USA team during a USA vs USSR dual at Muhlenberg College. Frick was still in HS at that time and if I recall, he held his own against his Russian opponent.

FYI - you D3 guys probably remember Mark Stauffer from Lower Dauphin. His older brother George and I were pretty good friends and I remember going to a birthday party for Mark at their farm in Hummelstown. The whole Lehigh team was there including Frick. It was a pretty fun evening for all.

Ah. My alma mater Muhlenberg. That's a great gym for a D3 school.

1973 - Last year of single class in PA. Lower Dauphin sent out three consecutive wrestlers in the finals - Mutek, Stauffer and Neiswender. All lost. Mutek by 4-3; Stauffer 18-7 (felt like Al Fisher from Bald Eagle Area hit like 100 duckunders on him); Neiswender 11-2 (to future PSU Jerry White. Neiswender had defeated returning champ Dave Rodgers of North Allegheny in the quarters).

 

[amattaro]

Shameless plug - I converted all of my VHS tapes from the 80s/90s PA Finals - they are uploaded on youtube if you haven't seen them

If you are Adrian Stewart, I stumbled onto your video a few years back and you are pretty much a god in my mind for that work.

 

[tullfan68]

ok guys here we go I was in school from 65-68 so for those yrs I gotta go Larry Rippey state champ as jr then went up a weight and won again against the defending champ!was a scoring machine

 

[wcg207]

Wade Schalles when he pinned John Chatman in the state finals. I was in college and watched this with a bunch of guys from Pittsburgh. Schalles was from a high school 15 miles from mine so of course I predicted him to win. They all laughed and said Chatman would maul him. When Schalles manhandled him to his back and pinned him, they were in total disbelieve. I couldn't resist a "told you so."

 

[ac98]

I grew up in Illinois. It was 2 guys. Kolat, I who I watched at the Midlands a couple of times and Joe Williams who was a 4x illinois champ. His only loss in HS was a DQ for an illegal slam in the state dual meet tournament where the other kids coaches basically told him he was too hurt to continue and forced the DQ.

 

[west2east]

I grew up in Illinois. It was 2 guys. Kolat, I who I watched at the Midlands a couple of times and Joe Williams who was a 4x illinois champ. His only loss in HS was a DQ for an illegal slam in the state dual meet tournament where the other kids coaches basically told him he was too hurt to continue and forced the DQ.

Joey Gilbert Tinley Park Andrew and Mike Mena Sterling Newman were unbelievable in high school. Gilbert wrestled at Michigan and was 3rd and 6th at NCAAs Mena at Iowa and was 7th,3rd,6th and 2nd at NCAAs

 

[golfer1922]

not sure I was in 'awe' of any HS wrestler when I was in HS... there were a few around - Was aware of Bobby Weaver winning. Saw Darkus and Nate Carr live and appreciated their talents. The awe probable was towards Gable as I remember news channel highlighting his olympic win as a small kid. We had a few guys in the area that were good - White from WestBranch (or MoValley?) was good and was a PSU stud ... btw - he is struggling with memory and getting treatment... very sad

Spent 2 days last March (watching NCAA’s) with Jerry in Pine Glen. Is sad,such a nice guy.

 

[82bordeaux]

Mena at Iowa and was 7th,3rd,6th and 2nd at NCAAs

Another Hawkeye underachiever.

 

[zzs006]

I know most of you are from PA but does anyone remember Scott Schatzman (Missouri) and David Kjeldgaard (Iowa)? I wrestled Schatzman at Fargo and took one of the worst beatings I’ve ever had. Schatzman had a pretty good college career while Kjeldgaard fought injuries and never did much at the next level. Kjeldgaard won 6 junior national titles and in his senior year he beat Joe Heskett in the semis and Cael in the finals.

David Kjeldgaard

The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame

nwhof.org

 

[District four]

ok guys here we go I was in school from 65-68 so for those yrs I gotta go Larry Rippey state champ as jr then went up a weight and won again against the defending champ!was a scoring machine

Made grown men cry from what I hear.

 

[AgSurfer]

ok guys here we go I was in school from 65-68 so for those yrs I gotta go Larry Rippey state champ as jr then went up a weight and won again against the defending champ!was a scoring machine

I certainly remember Rippey. I was at the state finals in Rec Hall when he won his 2nd state title against Uyeda from Conestoga Valley. He beat him really bad, something like 13-0. That was also when the first of the Carr family made it to the finals. Fletcher Carr lost a close match in the finals at 180 to future NCAA champion, Geoff Baum.

 

[mhlarch]

Are you sure that All Star meet was at F&M and not at Lehigh? I went there with my HS coach from Chambersburg and saw Lee Kemp and thought that was the location. All of the projected line up made it to the event except for Lehigh's own Mark Lieberman, go figure. It was an amazing event.

Yes....as hard as that is to believe F&M hosted that event. We hosted two wrestlers, Kemp and Sam Komar from Indiana. Reason the others made it in was because they flew in ahead of the snow storm. Whereas Lieberman planned to drive in later and the storm stopped him.

Because Lieberman didn't make it in, F&M wrestler Craig Blackman filled in. He really pushed Dan Severn of Arizona State. Blackman went on to be an All-American one year, 5th place.

 

[Shot of Espresso]

Jason Betz from Warrior Run high school. 3x state champion should have had a fourth but got caught in a spladle. There was a Laudenslager from Line Mountain in the 90s that was a beast along with the Shingara boys. One kid from Loyalsock high school was really talented but never knew where he went to college. Last name was Waldren

Where did Betz go to college?

Brett Snyder from Montoursville (same school as Gavin Hoffman) was a good wrestler back in the day. Know he had at least 1 PA state title and think was in the finals another year..

 

[phelpsp]

When I was in school in Northern Jersey it was Mike Frick from Pope John.

 

[BigFella235]

A wrestler who was before my time, but was a hammer from what I gathered was Doug Stanford out of Meadville. Won something like 173-176 matches back in the early 80’s and went 3rd, 2nd, 1st at states. He and Sean O’Day were back to back in the lineup for a couple of years

 

[Nitlion1986]

Spent 2 days last March (watching NCAA’s) with Jerry in Pine Glen. Is sad,such a nice guy.

He was at the Iowa match. Is sad.

 

[a_mshaffer]

He was at the Iowa match. Is sad.

so if you saw him, I assume you know where his residence is right now. Very sad.

 

[Nitlion1986]

so if you saw him, I assume you know where his residence is right now. Very sad.

Yep. Bit older than me, but was always very friendly to a kid who thought Jerry was a wrestling God. As well as Tim Howe and Dean Ryan.