Wrestler You Were Most in Awe of in High School

[Nitlion1986]

Mike Johnson from Lock Haven. 1959-1961. 4 time state champ who I believe was never taken down. In 1961 he was one of 4 state champs from Lock Haven; Johnson, Lee Dietrich, Gary Cook and Jerry Swope were the four. Quite a feat in an era when it was one loss and you were done. Granted the competition wasn’t as competitive as it is today, fewer wrestlers, but only one state champ per weight leveled the playing field considering AA and AAA today.

I don’t know about fewer wrestlers. There were way more full teams back then and everybody had full JV teams. Fewer specialists, but probably more actual competitors.

 

[USPMAN]

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..

Betz was at PSU, Richie Rodarmel was another stud from montoursville

 

[USPMAN]

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

Im also a district 4 guy, Troy Laudeslager? The shingara boys were both awesome, I went to Lock Haven with Mike, had a couple classes with him, he was a pretty cool dude, a man child on the mat. Mike and Tommy Waldron, not sure what ever happened to them, they were both studs. District 4 in the 90s was unbelievable

 

[USPMAN]

The Best (in my opinion): Cary Kolat
The Best (I ever wrestled): Lincoln Mcilravy- coincidentally, the worst beating I ever took
The Best (I knew personally): Bobby Crawford 4x'er from Milton and college roommate

Bob crawford was a stud

 

[creamery freak]

Im also a district 4 guy, Troy Laudeslager? The shingara boys were both awesome, I went to Lock Haven with Mike, had a couple classes with him, he was a pretty cool dude, a man child on the mat. Mike and Tommy Waldron, not sure what ever happened to them, they were both studs. District 4 in the 90s was unbelievable

Chris Fleeger from Loyalsock was a 3 time All American at Purdue, from 2003-2005.

 

[District four]

Im also a district 4 guy, Troy Laudeslager? The shingara boys were both awesome, I went to Lock Haven with Mike, had a couple classes with him, he was a pretty cool dude, a man child on the mat. Mike and Tommy Waldron, not sure what ever happened to them, they were both studs. District 4 in the 90s was unbelievable

I remember Benton and Wyalusing both had great kids back then you are right the 90s was an incredible time for high school wrestling. States was unbelievable each year at every weight

 

[lion4ever]

I don’t know about fewer wrestlers. There were way more full teams back then and everybody had full JV teams. Fewer specialists, but probably more actual competitors.

Granted most teams fielded a varsity and JV team. I’ve tried to research the number of participating high schools in 1960 compared to today, without success. In 1960 there were 4 participants in each weight class at states. Compare that to today with AA, AAA and non PIAA participating schools. The sheer number of qualifiers may have created the perception that we have more wrestlers engaged in this great sport today. If anyone could clarify the numbers I would be grateful.

 

[USPMAN]

Chris Fleeger from Loyalsock was a 3 time All American at Purdue, from 2003-2005.

Damn I forgot about Fleegor, yea he was awesome as well. its crazy how many D4 studs there were back in the 90s.

 

[USPMAN]

I remember Benton and Wyalusing both had great kids back then you are right the 90s was an incredible time for high school wrestling. States was unbelievable each year at every weight

Benton was always on of those teams that struggled to fill a whole lineup yet ever year they had state champion level kids, yeah wyalusing was stacked as well for awhile.....lots of finals matches at districts and regionals in williamsport were like state finals matches