May 30 2006

www.WrestlingUSA.comApril 15, 2017

VOL. LII, NO. 9$5.00

www.WrestlingUSA.comApril 15, 2017

VOL. LII, NO. 9$5.00

NATIONAL ACTION WRESTLING PHOTO CONTESTSend your best action wrestling photos to [email protected] best photos will be recognized each issue. All photos should besubmitted digital at 300 dpi.

2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship Final -157 lbs. Jason Nolf (Penn State) working to comeout the back door on Joey Lavallee (Missouri). Nolfwould win by major decision 14-6 to help Penn Statewin their second straight team title and their sixth inseven years. Photo by Wyatt Schultz.

Cover Photo

he NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships were held at the ScottradeCenter in St. Louis for the eighth time since 2000. The finals session wouldset the second all-time attendance with 19,657 (19,715 St. Louis 2015). Totalattendance of 111,454 ranks third all-time behind St. Louis in 2015 (113,013)and again St. Louis in 2012 (112,393). Fans for the second straight year

would watch Penn State power all five of their semi-final wrestlers into the finals to all butseal their sixth national championship title in seven years. To take it a step further, all ofPenn State’s finalists would bring home a championship tying a record set by Iowa (1986and 1997) and Oklahoma State (2005). Penn State lost key finalists Megaludis andMcIntosh from last year’s team but reloaded with red-shirt freshman Vincenzo Joseph andtrue freshman Mark Hall winning championships. Jason Nolf and Bo Nickal followed upwith winning their first titles after making the championship finals last year. Leading thepack for the Nittany Lions was their returning champion Zain Retherford as he dominat-ed the field with four technical falls and a pin in the semi-finals.

Penn State ended up with six All-Americans with the five champions and a fifth place finishby Nick Nevills at 285 lbs. Ohio State had a champion (Kyle Snyder) and a total of six All-Americans but Oklahoma State lead the pack with eight All-Americans and a repeat championin Dean Heil at 141 lbs.

Missouri had the second most finalists with three and J’Den Cox winning his third title. OhioState and Minnesota had two finalists followed by Oklahoma State, Iowa, Cornell, Illinois,Lehigh, Wisconsin, Virginia and South Dakota State each with one. Penn State finished with146.5 points, Ohio State (110), Oklahoma State (103), Iowa (97), Missouri (86.5), Virginia Tech(63.5), Minnesota (62.5), Cornell (60.5), Nebraska (59.5) and Michigan (47.5) rounding out the topten.

A total of 29 teams finish with an All-American, with 69 teams entered: Oklahoma State (8),Ohio State (6), Penn State (6), Iowa (5), Missouri (5), Virginia Tech (5), Cornell (4), Minnesota (4),Nebraska (4), Illinois (3), Michigan (3), Arizona State (2), Lehigh (2), Northern Iowa (2), Rider(2), Rutgers (2), South Dakota State (2), Virginia (2), Wisconsin (2), Appalachian State, Campbell,Duke, Edinboro, Indiana, NC State, Old Dominion, Princeton, Southern Illinois, Stanford andWyoming each finish with one All-American.

The 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will head to the Quicken Loans Arenain Cleveland, Ohio, on March 15-17!As Always, let’s be “On The Go Together,”Cody

T

WRESTLING USA MAGAZINELETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Wrestling U.S.A. Magazine - April 15, 2017 page 3

Penn State’s Young Guns PropelThem to Their Second Straight Title

By Cody Bryant, Managing Editor

Editor-In-ChiefLANNY BRYANT

Order of MeritNational Wrestling Hall of Fame

AAU National Wrestling Hall of FameManaging EditorCODY BRYANTAssistant EditorANN BRYANT

National EditorDAN FICKEL

National PhotographerG WYATT SCHULTZContributing Editor

BILL WELKERDesign & Art Director

CODY BRYANTAdministrative Assistants

LANANN BRYANTCODI JEAN BRYANT

SHANNON (BRYANT) WOLFEJACKIE NEWMAN

Advertising/PromotionCODY BRYANT

National Office1 0 7 Apple House LaneMissoula, MT 5 9 8 0 2

(406) [email protected]

Wrestling USA (ISSN) 0199-6258Wrestling USA Magazine, Inc. is published tentimes yearly as follows: September, Fall Buyer’sGuide, October, November, December, January,February, March, April and May.Editorial Office: 107 Apple House Lane,Missoula, MT, 59802, (406) 360-9421. All contributions are welcome. Please enclose postagewith manuscripts, illustrations and photographssubmitted if they are to be returned. We assume noresponsibility for unsolicited materials. All rights,in letters and photos sent to Wrestling USA, will betreated as unconditionally assigned for publication andcopyright purposes. They are subject to WrestlingUSA’s unrestricted right to edit and to commenteditorially. Printed in USA; entire contents © 2017Wrestling USA; reprinting in whole or in part isforbidden except by written permission of publisher.Subscriptions: One year (10 issues) $35 in UnitedStates and Possessions. All other countries $60 inUS currency or international money order. Send to:Subscription Department, Wrestling USA Magazine,107 Apple House Lane, Missoula, MT 59802.Send National Record Proposals:Cody Bryant, 107 Apple House Ln, Missoula, MT59802Phone (406) 360-9421E-Mail: [email protected] All-American Nominations or Correspondenceon High School and College Wrestling: Dan Fickel, 10757 Woodrun Dr. Strongsville, OH 44136 E-Mail: [email protected] of Address: Six weeks are required tochange your mailing address. Forwarding postageis paid by you and lost copies cannot be replaced.To ensure delivery, send us your old and newaddress at least six weeks before moving. Includeyour new zip code.Advertising: Rates available upon request. ContactCody Bryant, Managing Editor.phone (406) 360-9421.Postmaster: Send address changes to WrestlingUSA Magazine, Inc., 107 Apple House Lane,Missoula, MT 59802. Periodical postage paid atMissoula, MT 59802 and at additional offices.PRINTED IN THE USAE Mail: [email protected] Site: http://www.wrestlingusa.com

NCAA Division I Championship Final Matches125-Darian Cruz (Lehigh) dec. Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) 6-3.133-Cory Clark (Iowa) dec. Seth Gross (South Dakota St) 4-3.141-Dean Heil (Oklahoma St) dec. George DiCamillo (Virginia) 6-3.149-Zain Retherford (Penn St) tech fall Lavion Mayes (Missouri) 18-2.157-Jason Nolf (Penn St) maj. dec. Joey Lavallee (Missouri) 14-6.165-Vincenzo Joseph (Penn St) fall Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) 5:26.174-Mark Hall (Penn St) dec. Bo Jordan (Ohio St) 5-2.184-Bo Nickal (Penn St) dec. Gabriel Dean (Cornell) 4-3.197-J’Den Cox (Missouri) dec. Brett Pfarr (Minnesota) 8-2.285-Kyle Snyder (Ohio St) dec. Connor Medbery (Wisconsin) 6-3.

3 LETTER FROM THE EDITORPenn State’s Young Guns Propel Them to Their Second Straight TitleBy Cody Bryant, Managing Editor

6 COACHES CORNERRiding Out the Bleachers - An Unmoving Experience for Wrestling ParentsBy Craig A. Horswill, PhD and Caroline J. Horswill, BA

10 HIGH SCHOOL ACTION2016-17 Sophomore and Freshmen RankingsBy Dan Fickel, National Editor

16 TOP TECHNIQUEArm Bar TiltBy Garret Garness

18 WRESTLING BOOKThe Sparrow’s SpiritWrestling: A Welker Family LegacyBy Bill Welker

24 YOUTH WRESTLINGNational Youth RankingsBy Jack Roller

29 GIRL WRESTLINGFirst Girl State Champion in GeorgiaBy Rose Procter

THE NATIONAL VOICE OF HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

2017 PIAA Championship Finals - 126 lbs. Austin DeSanto (ExeterTownship) working to control Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional). DeSantowon by decision 6-5 to prevent Lee from winning his 4th Pennsylvaniastate title and giving him his only loss in high school. Photo by Tom Elling.

April 15, 2017VOL. LII, NO. 9

St. Cloud State Vs. Upper Iowa Dual - 133 lbs. Josh Walker (Upper Iowa)with a double leg takedown attempt on Mike Rhone (St. Cloud State).Walker won by decision 6-3. Photo by Johnnie Johnson.

April 15, 2017 - Wrestling U.S.A. Magazinepage 4

W R E S T L I N G U S A M A G A Z I N ETABLE of Contents

COACHES Corner


hey sacrifice nearly four months of the yearto help wrestlers maximize fitness and performanceand evade being foot swept by the flu mid-season. For many, the efforts are perpetual, lasting365 days to support those wrestlers that train

year-round.Who are they? The parents. And parenting a wrestler is

arguably the most challenging role in the sport. They providea large portion of the support but have the least control overoutcomes compared to what is in the hands of the wrestler,coach, or even the official. Parents are left to, at best, yell asthey sit through the matches.

Where parents may not be challenged is taking the time for

adequate activity to stay healthy as the pursuit of fitness is infull swing around them. Despite supporting the wrestler’sphysical prowess and wellbeing, there’s a good chance exer-cise of mom and dad gets benched during the season. Why?Among other things, sitting motionless for long periods in thebleachers.

Season of WrestlingIn most of the U.S., the wrestling season occurs during the win-

ter. Colder weather drives us indoors and naturally puts a crimpon physical activity done outside. Some of us may head to thegym or fitness center, but a couch in front of the warm fireplace

is very inviting, especially if BTN is broad-casting the Penn-State-vs.-Ohio-Statewrestling match, or Wisconsin vs Iowa,Maryland vs. Michigan State, or... Gosh,we may not get off the couch until lateMarch.

Not only does the wrestling season takeplace in the winter, it’s also strungthrough numerous of major holidays –Thanksgiving, New Year’s and the reli-gious celebrations of Christmas,Hanukah, and Kwanza. The season evenstretches to Valentine’s Day, a day you’relikely to get or give loads of candy andthen take your spouse out on a trulyromantic date: the Sectional Finals.

Seriously, the issue with holidays is notjust more inactivity but also the celebra-tions and parties that bring big dinners,desserts, snacks, and all sorts of calorie-laden foods and beverages. Lots of extrasugar and fat. You may have heard thattypical adult gains five to seven poundsbetween the holidays. Although thedefinitive study has yet to be conducted,research does not support this. What sci-entists have found is that the averageweight gain during the holidays isn’t thatmuch, but it’s part of the steady unceas-ing climb in body weight that occurs inmost of us from our early 20’s into our40’s and 50’s. By one esteemed scientist’sestimate, a mere extra 50 calories a dayeach day is all that’s required for most of

Riding Out The Bleachers - An Unmoving Experience

For Wrestling ParentsBy Craig A. Horswill, PhD and Caroline J. Horswill, BA

T

2017 California AMA Wrestling Tournament - 43 lbs. Eli Morgan (Oakdale) in on a double leg take-down on Jacob Pettitt (Calaveras). Morgan won by decision over Pettitt. Photo by Amber Pappé.

W r e s t l i n g U S A . c o m


us to get overweight, if not obese, during our adult years. Insimple terms, 50 extra calories could come from an extra two-thirds of an apple or one-third of a Twinkie® eaten each day,beyond those calories needed to maintain our weight.

Sitting, a National HobbyNow let’s add the bleacher life of the spectator, most common-

ly the wrestling parent. Moms, dads, and relatives are likely tobe sitting for long periods with little movement, other than thebrief shadow wrestling that they perform when their son ordaughter is on the mat. Depending on the state of the health ofthe spectator, the isometrics performed in the stands could begood or risky, but certainly the rest of the resting is not good.

In recent years, we’ve learned that prolonged sitting isunhealthy. Sitting at a desk, sitting in the car or train in transitto your job, sitting in front of the television or computer, and sit-ting in the stands at a meet all add up to bad outcomes. Onelarge scale study showed that eight percent of all deaths couldbe attributed to prolonged sitting – eight to 11 hours a day. Andthat was after all other factors – existing disease and aliments –were taken into account. Even worse, 30 minutes in the gymlater in the day did not erase the ill effects of prolonged sitting.

Some of the health risk factors of prolonged sitting includedeep vein thrombosis (also a risk on prolonged air flights), ele-vated total cholesterol and low protective cholesterol (HDL) in

the blood, elevated resting blood pressure, and fewer caloriesburned. These are risks for diseases such as heart disease,hypertension, diabetes (Type 2) and even some types of cancers.We don’t know if simply contracting the muscle or burningcalories is the key, but since both go hand-in-hand duringmovement, contracting your muscles periodically is good.When done enough, physical activity will lower the risks fordeveloping these maladies.

Note that there is a risk of sudden death from cardiac arrestduring any exercise. But the trade-off is a five percent risk ofsudden death at other times of the day for a physically fit, reg-ularly active adult. This is in contrast to the 15 percent risk forcardiac arrest in a sedentary adult who never exercises regular-ly. And the risk for the sedentary adult suddenly faced for hav-ing to do physical work – pushing a car out of a snow bank orrunning to catch a bus – would be higher than that among fitadults doing physical work.

The benefits of regular physical activity and maintaining ahigher fitness level are beneficial in many ways. Overall stresslevels are lower. Imagine the wrestler dad, overweight, smok-er, and very sedentary, sitting in the stands watching his childwrestle on the mat. Adrenaline rises, blood pressure and heartrate rise, fists clench and put further stress on the heart. If imag-ining the outcomes would only be motivating enough.Unfortunately, some of us have seen the reality of what canhappen in the stands to a parent under such stress.

COACHES Corner


Recommendationto Parents

It’s time to take a stand against sitting.And that may be all you need to do.

Here is a course of simple actions forthe spectating mom and dad when thewrestler is not competing in a match:

•Stand up once an hour. This is notto say that standing up once an hour isa great new exercise program. It tells ushow sedentary we’ve become if doingone “squat repetition” without aweight every hour provides health ben-efits. Research shows it does. You canset your timer or buy a special watchthat signals you to stand.

•Take a walking lap around the field-house or gym. Make it two.

•If the weather isn’t too bad, walk theperimeter of the school grounds orwalk a lap or two on the outdoor trackduring the breaks in mat action.

•Bring a set of workout gear and gofind a nearby gym or fitness center dur-ing the long break before the finals.The YMCA is great about honoringyour memberships at another Y andallowing you to use the local facility asa guest.

•If it’s a two-day tournament with anovernight, make use of the hotel fitnesscenter.

•Walk the bleachers or stairwells inthe gym or fieldhouse. Lifting yourbody weight up a set of stairs is a great way to get more muscleinvolved and further decrease risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

All of this assumes that you are healthy and free of cardiovas-cular diseases. If you can answer no to all 7 questions below – thephysical activity readiness questionnaire or PAR-Q – you’re goodto move.

1.Has your doctor said that you have heart diseaseand that you should only do physical activity recom-mended by a doctor?

2. Do you have pain in your chest when you do phys-ical activity?

3. In the past month, have you had pain when youwere not doing physical activity?

4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness ordo you ever lose consciousness?

5. Do you have a bone or joint problem (for exam-ple, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse bya change in your physical activity?

6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (forexample, water pills) for your blood pressure orheart condition?

7. Do you know of any other reasons you should notdo physical activity?

If you answer yes to one or more of these, check in withyour physician before starting any formal exercise program.It may still be fine to exercise, it’s just an important precau-tion to ensure your safety before you start.

Final PromptingWe’re in an era when 67 percent of the US adult population is

in an unlimited weight class – either overweight if not obese. Thenumber of people with diseases of inactivity is at an all-time highand steadily increasing. When not cheering at mat side for theleanest and fittest athletes of all sports, let’s take periodic breaksand move for our own fitness. That way, we will more likely bearound to watch our children’s children wrestle.

Craig Horswill is a former collegiate wrestler and high school coach.He is currently a clinical associate professor in the Dept. of Kinesiology& Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During the schoolsemesters, regardless of scorching summer heat, drenching rain, or articwinter blasts, he walks six to seven miles a day as fast as possible toescape the ravages of sitting.

Caroline Horswill is a recent grad of Marquette University, majoringin Communication Sciences. She sat next to many a mat recordingstats for her high school wrestling team. She now works as a contractorfor Kaiser Permanente Healthcare System in California and walks, hikesand bikes frequently.

2017 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships - 138 lbs. Andrew Garcia (Calaveras) works tocome out the back door on Jaden Cooper (Ceres). Garcia won by major decision 11-3. Photo by Amber Pappé.


HIGH SCHOOL Action

ere are rankings of the nation’s best2016-17 high school sophomores& freshmen as of 03-12-17. Fivefactors were considered in deter-mining these rankings. They include:

(1) accomplishments at the state high schoolchampionships (folkstyle); (2) NationalJunior Freestyle and Greco-Roman success;3) Performances at prestigious regularseason high school tournaments; (4) Super32 Championships; (5) Cadet NationalPlacement. Please e-mail any corrections to:[email protected]

1062. Julian Tagg, 9, (Brecksville, OH)3. Antonio Lorenzo, 10 (Del Oro, CA)4. Lucas Byrd, 10, (Cincinnati LaSalle, OH)5. Anthony Clark, 9, (Delbarton, NJ)6. Jacob Decatur, 10, (CVCA, OH)7. Jeremiah Reno, 9, (Liberty, MO)8. Eric Barnett, 10, (Hortonville, WI)9. Sammy Alvarez, 10, (St. Joseph Regional, NJ)

10. Cullan Schriever, 9, (Mason City, IA)11. Jacob Lindsey, 10, (Providence Catholic, IL)12. Dylan Ragusin, 9, (Montini Catholic, IL)13. Zach Redding, 9, (Eastport-South Manor, NY)14. Drew Munch, 9, (Wyoming Seminary, PA)15. Nick Incontrera, 10, (Blair Academy, NJ)16. Vince Mannella, 9, (Wes Laurens, GA)17. Logan Agin, 9, (Lancaster, OH)18. Brayden Curtis, 10, (Yorktown, IN)

19. Luke Odom, 9, (Edwardsville, IL) 20. Angelo Rini, 10, (St. Edward, OH)21. Mick Burnett, 9, (Elyria, OH)22. Sam Latona, 10, (Thompson, AL)23. Cole Reyes, 10, (Frontier, CA)24. Aaron Nagao, 9, (Esperanza, CA)25. Bretli Reyna, 9, (South Dade, FL)26. Brendon Garcia, 10, (Pueblo County, CO)27. Beau Bayless, 10, (Reynolds, PA)28. Ryan Jack, 9, (Danbury, CT)29. Steele Dias, 10, (Green Valley, NV)30. Kaden Kuenzi, 9, (Silverton, OR)

1132. Sam Hillegas, 9, (North Hills, PA)3. Matthew Olguin, 10, (Buchanan, CA)4. Robert Howard, 9, (Bergen Catholic, NJ)5. Travis Ford-Melton, 10, (Marian Catholic, IL)6. Dylan D’Emilio, 10, (Genoa, OH)7. Trevor Mastogiovanni, 9 (Blair Academy, NJ)8. Greg Diakomihalis, 9, (Hilton, NY)9. Aden Reeves, 10, (Albia, IA)

10. Ridge Lovett, 10, (Post Falls, ID)11. Eric Faught, 10, (Clear Lake, IA)12. Corey Gamet, 10, (Parma Western, MI)13. Bryce Hepner, 9, (St. Edward, OH)14. Gabe Tagg, 10, (Brecksville, OH)15. Mosha Schwartz, 10, (Wyoming Seminary, PA)16. Colt Newton, 10, (Choctaw, OK)17. Kyle Gollhofer, 10, (Woodland, GA)18. Shane Hanson-Ashworth, 10,

(Malvern Prep, PA)19. Domenic Zaccone, 10, (Stagg, IL)20. Alec Viduya, 9, (Roncalli, IN)21. Dylan Shawver, 9, (Elyria, OH)22. Caleb Tanner, 9, (Collinsville, OK)23. Josh Blatt, 10, (North Henderson, NC)24. Devin Murphy, 9, (Clovis North, CA)25. Luke Surber, 9, (Tuttle, OK)26. Kai Orine, 10, (Seckman, MO)27. Jeron Matson, 10, (Kenyon-Wanamingo, MN)28. Kysen Terukina, 9, (Kamehameha, HI)29. Bryce Bosman, 10, (Luxemburg-Casco, WI)30. Brent Lorin, 10, (Be Air, MD)

1202. Beau Bartlett, 9, (Wyoming Seminary, PA)3. Adam Busiello, 10, (Eastport-South Manor, NY)4. Jordan Crace, 10, (St. Paris Graham, OH)5. JoJo Aragona, 10, (Pope John, NJ)6. Colton Yapoujian, 10, (Pomona, CO)7. Cleveland Belton, 10, (Temescal Canyon, CA)8. Dominik Serrano, 9, (Windsor, CO)9. Bryce Andonian, 10, (St. Edward, OH)

10. Mike Madara, 10, (Blair Academy, NJ)11. Jordan Hamdan, 10, (Hudson, MI)12. Fabian Santillan, 10, (Grandview, CO)13. Byron Finch, 10, (Safford, AZ)14. James McClain-Green, 10, (Franklin, TX)15. Malyke Hines, 10, (Osceola, FL)16. Kyle Burwick, 10, (Hettinger/Scranton, ND)17. Legend Lamer, 10, (Crescent Valley, OR)

HH

BEST 2016-17 HIGH SCHOOL

By Dan Fickel, National Editor

SOPHOMORE ANDFRESHMEN RANKINGS

TOP RANKED AT 106KURT MCHENRY (10)

SAINT PAUL’S, MD

TOP RANKED AT 113JESSE VASQUEZ (9)

SAINT JOHN BOSCO, CA TOP RANKED AT 120JULIAN CHLEBOVE (10)

NORTHAMPTON, PA


18. Noah Villarreal, 9, (Aurora Christian, IL)19. Luciano Arroyo, 10, (Calvary Chapel, CA)20. Keegan O’Toole, 9, (Arrowhead, WI)21. Lucas Revano, 10, (Camden Catholic, NJ)22. Logan Heil, 10, (Brunswick, OH)23. Ryan Ripplinger, 10, (Bismarck, ND)24. Austin Kolvek, 10, (Park Hill, MO)25. Cayden Rooks, 10, (Columbus East, IN)26. Colby Njos, 10, (Anoka, MN)27. Caden Lamer, 10, (Tri-Valley, SD)28. Phil Moomey, 10, (Kearney, NE)29. Nathan Bonham, 10, (Pueblo County, CO)30. Angel Rios, 9, (Columbia, ID)

1262. Jordan Decatur, 10, (CVCA, OH)

3. Chris Cannon, 10, (Blair Academy, NJ)4. Jaden Abas, 10, (Rancho Bernardo, CA)5. Andrew Alirez, 10, (Greeley Central, CO)6. Ryan Anderson, 10, (Bethlehem Catholic, PA)7. Connor McGonagle, 10, (Timberlane, NH)8. Dawson Sihavong, 10, (Bullard, CA)9. Tyler Deen, 10, (Buchanan, CA)

10. Jeff Thomas, 10, (St. Paris Graham, OH)11. Job Greenwood, 10, (Poudre, CO)12. Gabe Hixenbaugh, 10, (Thompson, AL)13. Garret Kloeppel, 10, (Parkway South, MO) 14. Michael North, 10, (Wadsworth, OH)15. Jordan Ward, 10, (Moeller, OH)16. Earl Blake, 10, (Linganore, MD)17. Reece Witcraft, 10, (Coweta, OK)18. Drew Eller, 9, (Evans, GA)19. Kollin Myers, 10, (Boiling Springs, PA)20. Aidan Medora, 9, (St. John’s Northwestern, WI)21. Justin Rivera, 9, (Fort Myers, FL)22. Noah Castillo, 9, (Lake Highland Prep, FL)23. Cael Carlson, 10, (Willmar, MN)24. Kyle Parco, 10, (San Ramon Valley, CA)25. Gavin Christ, 10, (Basile, LA)

26. Dalton Hembree, 10, (Seneca, MO)27. Martin Wilkie, 10, (Havre, MT)28. Patrick Gould, 10, (East Stroudsburg South, PA)29. Jackson Currier, 10, Colstrip, MT)30. Tyler Sung, 9, (New Canaan, CT)

1322. Kevon Davenport, 10,

(Detroit Catholic Central, MI)3. Josh Saunders, 9, (Christian Brothers, MO)4. Austin Boone, 9, (Lowell, MI)5. Fidel Mayora, 9, (Montini Catholic, IL)6. Cade DeVos, 10, (Southeast Polk, IA)7. Ricky Torres, 10, (Oakdale, CA)8. Marco Regalbuto, 10, (Brecksville, OH)


TOP RANKED AT 126NICK RAIMO (10)

HANOVER PARK, NJ

TOP RANKED AT 132THEORIUS ROBISON (10)

POMONA, CO

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HIGH SCHOOL Action


9. Zak Kohler, 10, (Wasatch, UT)10. Ben Pasiuk, 10, (Carrollton, OH)11. Frankie Tal-Shahar, 9, (American Heritage, FL)12. Dayton Porsch, 10, (Hoxie, KS)13. Gabe Miller, 10, (Pequea Valley, PA)14. Robert Garcia, 10, (Pope John XXIII, NJ)15. Brady DeArmond, 9, (Tuttle, OK)16. Billy Simpson, 10, (Cushing, OK)17. Manzona Bryant, 9, (Culver Academies, IN)18. Luke Baughman, 10, (Wadsworth, OH)19. Sebas Swiggum, 10, (Apple Valley, MN)

20. Hayden Lieb, 9, (Bethel, AK)21. Joshua Edmond, 9, (St. Mary Prep, MI)22. Eric Bauer, 10, (Kewaskum, WI)23. Silas Shaw, 10, (Mooresville, NC)24. Payton Anderson, 9, (Fairmont-MCW, MN)25. Lance Runyon, 10, (Indianola, IA)26. Monte Zufelt, 10, (Emmett, ID)27. Montez Robinson, 10, (Arkansas City, KS)28. Chance Fry, 10, (Lincoln Southeast, NE)29. Brady Lowry, 10, (Canyon View, UT)30. Jackson Dean, 9, (Caesar Rodney, DE)

1382. Isaac Wilcox, 10, (Olympus, UT)3. Kyle Mosher, 10, (South Side, NY)4. Jacob Mariakis, 10, (Ridgeland, GA)5. Sonny Santiago, 9, (St. John Bosco, CA)6. Sam Dover, 10, (St. Edward, OH)7. Benny Baker, 10, (Wyoming Seminary, PA)8. Kruz Simons, 10, (Edmond North, OK)9. Hunter Shaut, 10, (Central Valley Academy, NY)

10. Avry Mutschler, 10, (Lowell, MI)11. Kevin Meicher, 10, (Middleton, WI)12. Donnell Washington, 10, (Marian Catholic, IL)13. Gabe Fiser, 10, (Grundy, VA)14. Charlie Darracott, 9, (Buford, GA)15. Keller Rock, 9, (Chino Valley, AZ)16. Gage Hight, 10, (Glenpool, OK)17. Raydan Wilder, 10, (Camden County, GA)18. Cade Lindsey, 10, (Derby, KS)19. Spencer Leonhardt, 10, (Freedom, NC)20. Walker Heard, 10, (Marysville, OH)21. Chris Donathan, 10, (Mason, OH)22. Jake Stiles, 10, (Montini Catholic, IL)23. Thayne Lawrence, 9, (Frazier, PA)24. Alan Kovacs, 9, (Danbury, CT)25. James Whitaker, 10, (St. Johns, MI)26. Brent Hodgson, 10, (Deer Park, WA)27. Jacob LaPlace, 9, (Mishawaka, IN)28. Levi Hopkins, 10, (Colony, AK)29. Zain Tittle, 10, (Wadsworth, OH)30. Jax Leonard, 9, (Louisville, OH)

1452. Greyden Penner, 9, (Liberty, MO)

TOP RANKED AT 145BREVIN BALMECEDA (10)

SOUTH DADE, FL

TOP RANKED AT 138JASON KRAISSER (10)

CENTENNIAL, MD

2017 Bi-State Classic - 126 lbs. Colton Nicolay (Lodi) lifting the leg of Dereke Marten (Stratford) asMarten works to hang on. Marten would hang on to win by decision 8-6. Photo by Doreen Reinwand.

3. Baylor Fernandes, 10, (Lockport, IL)4. Kiernan Shanahan, 10, (Shenendehowa, NY)5. Cameron Amine, 10,

(Detroit Catholic Central, MI)6. Ricky Cabanillas, 10, (DePaul, NJ)7. Devin Schwartzkopf, 10,

(Francis Howell Central, MO)8. Abe Assad, 10, (Glenbard North, IL)9. Michael Weber, 10, (Forsyth, MT)

10. Frankie Almaguer, 10, (Granger, WA)11. James Burks, 10, (Omaha Burke, NE)12. Troy Mantanona, 10, (Palm Desert, CA)13. Dom Mata, 9, (Poway, CA)14. Nevan Snodgrass, 9, (Kettering Fairmont, OH)15. McKay Foy, 10, (Altamont, UT)16. Ian Carlos, 10, (North Salem, OR)17. Ashton Habiel, 9, (Lake Gibson, FL)18. Kai Bele, 9, (Lake Highland Prep, FL)19. Nathan Moore, 10, (White River, WA)20. Colby Singletary, 9 (Palmetto Ridge, FL)21. Titus Rice, 10, (Creswell, OR)22. Brian Case, 10, (Davison, MI)23. Sean McCormick, 10, (Churchill County, NV)24. Gavin Kane, 9, (Cambridge, GA)25. Eliot Rodgers, 9, (Indianapolis Cathedral, IN)26. Kolton Clark, 10, (Scottsboro, AL)27. Nicholas O’Connell, 10, (Southern Regional, NJ)28. Alec Rees, 10, (Sparta, MI)29. Josh Otto, 10, (Arrowhead, WI) 30. Gage McClenahan, 9, (Bald Eagle, PA)

1522. Julian Ramirez, 10, (Blair Academy, NJ)3. Edmond Ruth, 10, (Susquehanna Twp., PA)4. Connor Brady, 10, (Olentangy Liberty, OH)5. Anthony Jackson, 10, (Simley, MN)6. Sean Harman, 10, (West Linn, OR)7. Dawon Andrews, 10, (Safford, AZ)8. Ross McFarland, 10, (Phoenix, NY)9. Carter Starocci, 10, (Erie Cathedral Prep, PA)

10. Ezekial Williamson, 10, (Jerome, ID)11. Garrit Nijenhuis, 9, (Canon-McMillan, PA)12. Dustin Plott, 9, (Tuttle, OK)

13. David Key, 10, (Brookwood, GA)14. Dax Bennett, 10, (Harrisburg, OR)15. Noah Blake, 10, (Del Oro, CA)16. Adrian St. Germain, 10, (Vashon Island, WA)17. Todd Perry, 10, (South Dade, FL)18. Brad Gross, 10, (Marmion Academy, IL)19. Jacob Lagoa, 9, (Ashtabula St. John, OH)20. David Ferrante, 9, (Huntley, IL)21. Matt Ortiz, 10, (Montini Catholic, IL)22. Zane Brown, 10, (Male, KY)23. Seth Dixon, 10, (Hereford, TX)24. Kevin Contos, 9, (Oregon Clay, OH)25. Weston Milnes-Bowers, 10,

(Arizona Lutheran, AZ)26. Zach Glazier, 10, (Albert Lea, MN)27. Aaron Gandara, 9, (Cibola, AZ)28. Javier Tapia, 10, (Pojoaque Valley, NM)29. Robert Kanniard, 10, (Wall, NJ)30. Robert Weber, 10, (Belton, MO)

1602. Chris Foca, 10, (Bergen Catholic, NJ)

3. James Rogers, 10, (Battle Ground, WA)4. Drake Engelking, 10, (Longmont, CO)5. Joseph Barnes, 10, (Gilroy, CA)6. Hunter Jump, 10, (MacArthur, OK)7. Jackson Turley, 10, (St. Christopher’s, VA)8. John Henrich, 10, (Akron-Westfield, IA)9. Cory Peterson, 10, (DeSmet, MO)

10. Sam Fisher, 9, (Fauquier, VA)11. Darrien Roberts, 10, (Wyoming Seminary, PA)12. Shane Liegel, 10, (River Valley, WI)13. Brock Schlough, 10, (Boyceville, WI)14. Blake Hopson, 10, (Park Hill, MO)15. Luke Nichter, 9, (Chambersburg, PA)16. Carson Berryhill, 10, (Tuttle, OK)17. Paul Calo, 10, (Southington, CT)18. Santino Morina, 10, (Paulsboro, NJ)19. Mark Caldwell, 10, (Monache, CA)20. Julian Broderson, 10,

(Davenport Assumption, IA)21. Kalyn Jahn, 10, (Holmen, WI)22. Cade Pederson, 10, (West Fargo, ND)23. Lucas Roland, 10, (Monroe, IA)24. James Limongi, 10, (Genoa, OH)25. David Cumberledge, 9, (Ashtabula St. John, OH)26. Shaeden Scheidt, 9, (Canton, SD)27. Connor Duffy, 10, (Baylor School, TN)28. Caden Gerlach, 10, (Glennallen, AK)29. Gabriel Lee, 10, (Brookwood, GA)30. Hayden Wyke, 10, (Hibriten, NC)



TOP RANKED AT 160ALBERT FERRARI (9)

ALLEN, TX

TOP RANKED AT 152MASON REINICHE (10)BAYLOR SCHOOL, TN

1702. Troy Fisher, 10, (Goddard, KS)3. Patrick Kennedy, 9, (Kasson-Mantorville, MN)4. Zane Coleman, 10, (Choctaw, OK)5. Jared McGill, 10, (Chestnut Ridge, PA)6. Gaige Garcia, 9, (Southern Columbia, PA)7. Zach Borer, 10, (North Bend Central, NE)8. Michael Waggoner, 10, (Riley County, KS)9. Jacob Logan, 10, (New Rochelle, NY)

10. Christian Rodriguez, 10, (Selma, CA)11. Gary Wokojance, 10, (Barberton, OH) 12. Ethan Martin, 10, (Rural Retreat, VA)13. Parker Keckeisen, 10, (Nicolet, WI)14. Bryson Alsteen, 10, (Kaukauna, WI)15. Michael Baker, 10, (Cincinnati LaSalle, OH)16. Jaden Glauser, 9, (McHenry, IL)17. Talon Borror, 10, (Coweta, OK)18. Chase Stegall, 9, (Northwest, MO)19. Ryan Ringler, 10, (Cedar Springs, MI)20. Andrew DiBernardo, 10,

(West Ches0er East, PA)21. Tony Asatrian, 10, (Bergen Catholic, NJ)22. Peter Ferraro, 10, (Marmion Academy, IL)23. River Simon, 10, (Vian, OK)24. Kyle Fisher, 10, (Southeast Valley, IA)25. Joe Jackson, 10, (Johnson Central, KY)26. Sawyer Hobbs, 9, (South Fremont, ID)27. Tyler Hannah, 9, (Virogua, WI)28. Hayden Walker, 10, (Kemmerer, WY)29. Damen Page, 9, (Hastings, NE)30. Tyrin Jordan, 9, (Cheraw, SC)

1822. Drew Hennessey, 10,

(Iowa-Grant/Highland, WI)3. Gabe Christenson, 9, (Southeast Polk, IA)

4. KeSean Brown, 10, (Bamberg-Ehrhardt, SC)5. Ryan Cosio, 10, (Temecula Valley, CA)6. Christian Knop, 10, (Alexandria, AL)7. Cole Urbas, 10, (State College, PA)8. Josh McKenzie, 10, (Bergen Catholic, NJ)9. Jonathan Fagen, 10, (Fruitland, ID)

10. Jacob Good, 10, (Clovis, CA)11. Jack Parr, 10, (St. Paul’s, MD)12. Joseph Reimers, 10, (Aquinas Catholic, NE)13. Dominic Fundy, 10, (Beth-Center, PA)14. Dominic DeLuca, 10, (Derry, PA)15. Julian Gorring, 10, (Fort LeBoeuf, PA)16. Gavin Potter, 10, (Broken Arrow, OK)17. Garet Sims, 10, (Iowa Valley, IA)18. Zach Ryg, 10, (Central Springs, IA)19. Nick Mihajlovich, 10, (Lincoln-Way East, IL)20. Peter Christensen, 10, (Montini Catholic, IL)21. Carlos Miguel Figueroa, 10, (Homewood, AL)22. Noah Evans, 10, (Alcoa, TN)23. Ethan Long, 10, (West Linn, OR)24. Rowan Morgan, 10, (Mounds View, MN)

25. Hayden Wempen, 10, (Riverton, WY)26. Alex Ojukwu, 10, (Boise, ID)27. Jaxon Rhoden, 10, (Crook County, OR)28. Dawson Kellogg, 9, (Perham, MN)29. Damen Moyer, 10, (Liberty, PA)30. Clayson Goodwin, 9, (Benson, AZ)

1952. Ryan Reyes, 10, (Clovis West, CA)3. Zach Marcheselli, 10, (Broken Arrow, OK)4. Santos Cantu, 9, (Sprague, OR)5. Jacob Kaminski, 9, (Fenwick, IL)6. Konner Doucet, 9, (Comanche, OK)

2017 WIAA Team Sectional - 106 lbs. Jaden Heintz (Lodi) with a cradle on Haydn Walsh (River Valley).Heintz won by fall in :37 to help Lodi win the dual 33-32. Photo by Doreen Reinwand.


TOP RANKED AT 195DANIEL KERKVLIET (10)

SIMLEY, MN

HIGH SCHOOL Action

TOP RANKED AT 182DRAKE BARBEE (10)

STILWELL, OK

TOP RANKED AT 170DEVIN WINSTON (10)

PARK HILL, MO

7. Maika Tauteoli, 10, (Pleasant Grove, UT)8. Terren Schwartz, 10, (Campbell County, WY)9. Ashton Sharp, 9, (Park Hill, MO)

10. Bradley Antesberger, 10, (North Pole, AK)11. Matt Kaylor, 10, (Legacy, ND)12. Cabe Dickerson, 9, (Altus, OK)13. Stephen White, 10, (Madison County, AL)14. Andy Baker, 10, (Tallassee, AL)15. Aidan Conner, 10, (Highland Park, TX)16. Blake Minnick, 10, (Edmond North, OK)17. John Nowak, 10, (Providence Catholic, IL)18. Jose Sanchez, 10, (Nyssa, OR)19. Luke Niemayer, 10, (South Plainfield, NJ)20. Caleb Carpenter, 10, (Liberty Center, OH)21. Chance Richards, 10, (Moberly, MO)22. Jacob Bennett, 10, (Zumbrota-Mazeppa, MN)23. Tyler Stein, 10, (Canfield, OH)24. Josh Bever, 10, (Ashland, OH)25. Jeremiah Hollen, 10, (Mountain View, AZ)26. Avery Jamamillo, 10, (Thurston, OR)27. Taylen Kirkaldie, 10, (Henley, OR)28. Cody Fisher, 9, (Woodward-Granger, IA)29. Ethan Gabriel, 9, (Ord, NE)30. Hudson Jump, 10, (Grandview Heights, OH)

2202. Tyler Curd, 10, (Oak Grove, MO)3. Luke Luffman, 10, (Urbana, IL)4. Cole Fibranz, 10, (Sartell, MN)5. Jace Punke, 10, (Washington, IL)6. Zach DelVecchio, 10, (South Plainfield, NJ)7. Johnny Shafer, 10, (S. Paris Graham, OH)8. Eli Pokorney, 10, (Chesterton, IN)9. Owen Trephan, 10, (Ashley Ridge, SC)

10. Dakoda Powell, 10, (Spirit Lake, IA)11. Victor Jaquez, 10, (Bellarmine, CA)12. Kyle Cornwell, 10, (Elwood, IN)13. Tristan Bennett, 10, (Neah-Kah-Nie, OR)14. Caleb Willis, 10, (KC Sumner, KS)15. Jonathan Birchmeier, 10, (Broad Run, VA)16. Jacob Slinger, 10, (Upper St. Clair, PA)17. Tarik Sutkovic, 10, (Thunderbird, AZ)18. Jorden Pryor, 10, Dunbar, MD)19. NIc Jarvis, 10, (Colquitt County, GA)

20. Benjamin Heather, 10, (Barrow, AK)21. Cody Fleming, 9, (Ninety-Six, SC)22. Jackson Jones, 10, (Clay-Chalkville, AL)23. Jack DelGarbino, 10, (Girard, OH)24. Sean Caleb Allison, 10, (Weaver, AL)25. Bryan Pratt, 10, (Meade County, KY)26. Alex Horn, 10, (Johnson Central, KY)27. Jalen Brooks, 10, (Cardinal Gibbons, NC)28. Josh Heindselman, 10, (Piedmont, OK)29. Marcos Fisher, 10, (Dodge City, KS)30. Logan Lee, 10, (Orion, IL)

2852. Spencer Trenary, 10, (Pocahontes, IA)3. Ronald Tucker, 10, (Lockport, IL)4. Brooks Baker, 10, (Broomfield, MO)5. Kawuan DeBoe, 10, (Erie Cathedral, PA)

6. Michael Kramer, 10, (Wilson Central, TN)7. Andy Garcia, 9, (Pueblo East, CO)8. Nash Hutmacher, 9, (Chamberlain, SD)9. Louden Haga, 10, (Parkersburg South, WV)

10. Michael Wolfgram, 10, (Central York, PA)11. Maxx Philpott, 10, (Glenbar, VA)12. Michael McCowan, 10, (Grundy, VA)13. Christian Bryant, 10, (Eleanor Roosevelt, MD)14. Clay Webb, 10, (Oxford, AL)15. Wade Wheeler, 10, (Amherst County, VA)16. Jacob Padilla, 9, (Huber Heights Wayne, OH)17. Jeremy Sistrunk, 10, (Bound Brook, NJ)18. Keegan Wilkinson, 10, (Pleasant Grove, UT)19. Jake McGinnis, 10, (Gooding, ID)20. Zach Frazier, 9, (Fairmont, WV)21. Ben Sowers, 10, (Rural Retreat, VA)22. Tyler Deloof, 9, (Lowell, MI)23. Benedict Sipe, 10, (Faustino Academy, TX)24. Michael Jeffus, 10, (Turlock, CA)25. Caleb Breedlove, 10, (Orofino, ID)26. Taye Washington, 10, (Hoxie, KS)27. Caleb Parrott, 10, (Crook County, OR)28. Jadin Mann (Homer, AK)29. Kenneth Copley, 9, (Sugar-Salem, ID)30. Tyler Connolly, 10, (Marysville, OH)


TOP RANKED AT 220COHLTON SCHULTZ (10)

PONDEROSA, CO

TOP RANKED AT 285MONTANA PHILLIPS (10)

MACARTHUR, OK


grew up in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvaniain a small town, Shamokin. One of its claims to fame isthat Shamokin has the largest manmade coal bank inthe world, which was burning underground. On rainy

days, I could see the smoke rising.Most notably, Thomas Edison briefly lived in the area and

established the Edison Illuminating Company in Shamokinthe fall of 1882. In fact, Shamokin’s St. Edwards CatholicChurch was one of the first churches in the world to be fur-nished with electric lighting by Edison on September 22, 1883.

Shamokin was also the hometown of Stanley A. Coveleski. Amajor league pitcher, he was inducted into the Baseball Hallof Fame in 1969. Stan passed away in 1984 at the venerableage of 94.

I have always loved the people thatpopulated my hometown. From all socio-economic classes and nationalities, theytaught me so much about life during my 18years as a youth growing up in Shamokin.

““SSuucccceessss ccoovveerrss aa mmuullttiittuuddee ooff BBlluunnddeerrss””

- George Bernard ShawI was always a conservative wrestler.

Most of my matches were 5 to 1. Manyspectators called me a “staller.” I preferredto call it “passive aggressiveness” orprotecting a lead.

After I defeated a wrestler fromWilliamsport, Pennsylvania in the semifinalsof districts my senior year by a single point,his mother and sister actually came into theboys’ shower room and screamed at me overthe victory. The boy’s coach apologized tome following the confrontation. I told him allwas fine and I understood their frustration.

Regionals were held at Wilkes College inWilkes-Barre the next week. I wrestled BobFerraro from Easton in the semi-finals,defeating him 2-1. Bob later became acollege All-American.

As I was warming up before the finalsthat evening, a fan said to me, “Welker, doyou have your running shoes on againtonight?"

I suppose it motivated me because Icrushed my opponent by a score of 14 to 1.Still, those in attendance “booed” me. Ittruly is lonely at the top, and it all began forme in 1956.

““TThhee rreewwaarrdd ooff aa tthhiinngg wweell ll ddoonnee ii ssttoo hhaavvee ddoonnee ii tt””

- Ralph Waldo EmersonWhen I started wrestling in third grade, we had six weeks

of training each year. My youth coaches were Elmer Artman,Lou Delbaugh, Joe Cawthern, and Rich Dapra. They weremen who loved the sport, not parent-coaches who werethere to protect or promote their own kids.

After those weeks of learning mat sense, the high schoolKey Club had a small tournament for us boys. I still remem-ber getting pinned my very first match by Ray Frederick andCoach Dapra building up my confidence after that defeat.Ray still has that gold medal.

IIBy Bill Welker

TThhee SSppaarrrrooww’’ss SSppiirriittWWrreessttlliinngg:: AA WWeellkkeerr FFaammiillyy LLeeggaaccyy

WRESTLING Book


Bill Welker receiving his 1963 Pennsylvania State Wrestling Championship trophy from Dr. Eric A.Walker, president of Penn State University, upon defeating Sherm Hostler of Newport by a score of4-2 at “Rec Hall.”


This intramural elementary competition was officiated byhigh school wrestlers; I was one of those referees years later.The winners and runner-ups each received little gold andsilver medals.

It was a low-key, positive experience.In junior high, we had an outstanding Coach, Charlie

Cawthern, who further honed our skills on the mat.Wrestling technique, not winning, was the goal at this level.

However, there was a lot of pressure on me in terms ofbeing a successful high school wrestler. I grew up in theshadow of greatness.

My cousin Harold Welker was a Pennsylvania StateChampion in 1938, the first year of the state tournamentwhich was held at Penn State’s “Rec Hall.” Next, my olderbrother Floyd did the same there in 1959. I was expected tofollow in their footsteps.

But first, I had a confidence problem I had to overcome.They say if you think you are going to lose, you will. Well, Imust admit that there were a number of important matchesin my competitive wrestling career where I thought I wasgoing to lose prior to competing. But as those bouts unfold-ed, I began to gradually gain confidence that I could win.

Of course, this feeling of inadequacy contradicts what allathletes have heard from their coaches and motivationalspeakers forever, “If you want to be a champion, you mustfirst believe in yourself and your competitive abilities.”

I guess I did believe in myself, but it was only after thematch was in progress and my confidence began to blos-som.

Luckily, I removed the monkey from my back when I wascrowned state champ in 1963, defeating Sherm Hostler ofNewport, Pennsylvania by a score of 4 to 2. A year later, hewas a state champion.

I distinctly remember hugging Floyd with tears in myeyes immediately following the victory.

The Welker family name has always been associated withwrestling since the initial Pennsylvania state champi-onships.

““EEvveerryy mmaann iiss tthhee aarrcchhiitteecctt ooff hhiissoowwnn ffoorrttuunnee””

- SallustI never met my cousin Harold because he died at a very

young age. However, I did my homework, talking to hishigh school friends. I wrote an article about him winningstates. The published piece was written as a narrative.

It was a blistery winter Saturday that March of 1938.Harold Welker, a senior for Shamokin High School, waswarming-up for his finals match against Angelo Carmellaof Dubois. As he looked around the facility, Harold realizedthat he had never before been in such a huge gymnasium.

It was Penn State’s “Rec Hall” and Harold Welker wascompeting in the first high school state wrestling tourna-ment ever held in Pennsylvania. He was nervous, but notscared. He knew nothing of his opponent except where hewas from.

Coach Ken Horner walked over to Harold and said, “It’syour turn to win the second individual state championshipfor Shamokin today. Roland Scandle won at 115, and you

can do it at 145. This is important, Harold. You guys will bethe first state champions in wrestling. I can sense that this isthe beginning of something big.

“Are you ready to make history, Harold?”“Yes sir.”“Then let’s go. You’re up.”The match was not an easy one for Harold. Neither

wrestler scored a point in the regular match, so the boutwould now go into overtime.

During the minute’s rest, Harold, breathing heavily, said toCoach Horner, “Give him the freakin’ match; I’m too tired!”

“That’s not going to happen, Harold. Don’t quit on menow. This is too important. Now get your butt out there andwin the match!”

Harold did both.Thus began the Welker family legacy in the Keystone State.

““II aamm tthhee mmaasstteerr ooff mmyy ffaattee .. .. .. ””- William Ernest Henley

As for my brother, Floyd, I only watched him wrestle twomatches his entire scholastic career. The reason played out asfollows.

Floyd’s first varsity home match as a sophomore involveda dual meet against Williamsport High School. He waswrestling at the 112-pound weight class.

Dual meets in Shamokin High School’s newly-built gym-nasium, The Annex, were something special. As I waited for


WRESTLING Book


the Shamokin “Greyhounds” to enter the gym for warm-ups, it always amazed me how quickly the gym filled tocapacity.

When our team finally came crashing through the paper-woven banner, meticulously manufactured by the cheerlead-ers, they had to run through a gauntlet of fans to reach themat. The din was ear-shattering.

The precision in which our team warmed up alwaysintrigued me, and I couldn’t wait to be part of the actionsomeday. I took pride in watching my older brother warm-up with the varsity squad.

When the match started, Floyd did not have much time toloosen up behind the team bench because our 95-pounderand 103-pounder both gained quick pins, and the home con-tingency went wild.

Floyd looked a little nervous to me. But that was to beexpected, being his first varsity match.

His opponent was Dennis Slattery, a veteran varsity per-former for Williamsport High School, who was no slouch onthe mats. But my older brother would show him whatwrestling against Shamokin was all about.

As a little kid, the cheerleaders befriended me and I got tosit with them by matside. When Floyd walked onto the mat,the cheerleaders began to chant, “Welker, Welker, he’s ourman. If he can’t do it, nobody can…” I was chanting alongwith them.

At the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle, Floyd attackedlike a viper and scored the first takedown. Slattery, likewise,quickly escaped, a bit stunned by Floyd’s aggressiveness asa newcomer. The rest of the period was filled with takedownshots and counters.

Slattery had the choice in the second period, and chose thetop referee’s position.

On the whistle, Floyd hit a sit-out, but sat-out too far. Thiswas Slattery’s opening. He snapped Floyd back, forcing hisshoulders to the mat. Before Floyd could react, Slattery cra-dled him and within seconds the referee slapped the mat,signaling a pin.

The stands on our side suddenly grew silent, as theWilliamsport fans were uproarious over the fall.

I never saw Floyd walk off the mat because I went runningfrom the gym in complete despair. My big brother gotpinned!

As I ran along the railroad tracks to my home a half mileaway, tears were flooding my eyes. You must understand Iworshiped my brother and couldn’t stand the thought ofwatching him lose.

Many irrational thoughts ran through my mind. Maybe itwas my fault; maybe I was bad luck, a jinx, for Floyd.

Anyway, from that point on, I swore I would never watchFloyd wrestle again. Instead, I waited at home to find outhow my brother did.

Actually, I did watch him one more time.It wasn’t until Floyd’s junior year that I again built up the

courage to observe him wrestling once more. Here’s how itall came to be.

For two years my brother had lost three times to an out-standing wrestler, Bill Hughes, from Muncy, Pennsylvania –

and the score in the closest match had been 5-1. Hughes, asenior that year, was picked (by coaches and sportswritersalike) to be the state champion in the same weight class asFloyd. So he would have to face the invincible Hughes dur-ing the finals of the district tournament and only the winnerwould advance to the next level of competition.

In the district semi-finals, Floyd won a very tight match,but at the expense of a sprained neck. Between sessions, Dadapplied hot towels to the back of his neck to relieve the painand tenseness.

During the procedure, Dad suggested that maybe Floydshouldn’t wrestle in the night’s finals against Hughes, a veryphysical wrestler who took no pity on anyone who dared tochallenge him. Floyd would hear none of that. Furthermore,he told me to come to the match because he wasn’t going tolose to his nemesis again.

Although I was hesitant at first, I ultimately went to thedistrict championship finals.

The Annex gymnasium that night was filled beyond capac-ity, with standing room only. A solitary spotlight illuminat-

Floyd Welker was crowned a Pennsylvania state wrestling champion in1959 and was a state runner-up his senior year at Penn State’s “Rec Hall”



ed the entire glossy surface of the squared mat located in thecenter of the arena.

Groping my way in the darkness under the bleachers, Ireached a corner of the gym where the parallel bars were sit-uated. With the help of some friends, I balanced myself onthe top of one bar, leaning against the wall, so I could see themat above the many heads of those standing.

While my brother was warming up for the 120-poundmatch, I glanced at Hughes in the shadows, rememberinghow strong he was, and realizing Floyd had never managedto score anything but an escape against him. I then heardsomeone yell, “Hey, Hughes, kick Welker’s butt again.”

Yet, Floyd told me to come to the gym and assured me thatI wouldn’t be disappointed.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, wrestling in the 120-pound championship match from Muncy . . .” The matchwas about to start and at that point I considered the possibil-ity of vacating the facility, but it was too crowded and toolate.

The whistle had blown to begin the first period andHughes shot in on Floyd with explosive force. Hughes near-ly scored a takedown, as they plummeted out-of-bounds.

After that, the majority of the period was loaded with sur-prising attacks and stunning counters from both mat men.

And the spectators were screaming for points!As the climax of the period approached, Hughes feigned a

double leg and slid in for a slick single leg, securing a take-down. Instantly, Floyd recovered with an escape. At the endof the first period, it was 2-1 in favor of Hughes.

Starting the second period, Hughes chose the top position,and within two seconds Floyd procured another escape. Thenext minute found both grapplers embraced in a mortalstruggle for dominance. The onlookers had now trans-formed into primordial beasts, howling for the kill of one orthe other predator battling viciously on the luminous centercircle.

I nearly fell from the parallel bar when Floyd almost scoredwith a dazzling double leg, only to receive the most excruci-ating cross-face he ever encountered, drawing blood fromhis nose. In a flash, Hughes reacted with a brilliant arm drag,scoring another takedown. He was truly an amazingmachine on his feet.

Moments later, Floyd scored an escape, which was of littleconsolation to him. The announcer broadcasted a 4-3 lead forHughes at the close of the second stanza.

Then the unusual happened; Floyd chose the down posi-tion at the beginning of the final period, a strategic “no-no”in the 1950s. Floyd’s coaches were not pleased with the deci-


WRESTLING Book

sion at all. But as before, uponthe referee’s whistle, Floydscored with a basic stand-upescape (4-4).

Immediately, the spectatorswere on their feet, sensing thepossibility of a very unexpect-ed upset. But it was short-lived when Hughes executed apicture-perfect, ankle-picktakedown (6-4). Performing asnappy sit-out series, Floydnotched another one-pointescape (6-5).

The action that followed wasconsumed with some of thegreatest offensive tactics anddefensive maneuvers everwitnessed by these centralPennsylvania wrestling fans.

With less than 20 secondsleft in the bout, Hughes drop-stepped back, faked a tie-up,shot in deeply for a doubleleg, meeting a ravaging insideelbow to the face, as the twomat men careened out-of-bounds. No one scored.

Returning to the 10-foot cir-cle, Hughes felt a warm trickleof crimson oozing from theside of his month; he was real-ly human after all!

It was then that I noticed alook on Floyd’s countenance Inever saw before, the red-eyedgleam of unbridled determination. At the ref’s signal, asound resembling that of a roar was heard throughout thegym as Floyd penetrated Hughes’s defensive perimeter witha tight double leg, lifting him off the mat.

Total silence permeated the gym. Time, for just an instant,stopped. And for that brief moment in athletic history, Floydwas the greatest wrestler in the world.

Floyd rallied from behind to score the final, devastatingtakedown, winning the match 7-6. All those in attendancegave both gallant gladiators on the glistening mat a five-minute standing ovation, and I surfaced from the pandemo-nium to hug my idol.

Everyone present believed that they had just observed thestate championship match two weeks early, and theyweren’t wrong. Floyd easily swept through regionals andstates, winning the coveted state championship trophy.

Though you may not believe this, I never watched mybrother wrestle thereafter. I had no need to because I wit-nessed him at his very best. For you see, Floyd RobertWelker reached his “moment of mat magnificence” on achilly March evening in 1959.

““AAddvveennttuurree iiss tthhee cchhaammppaaggnnee ooff lliiffee””- G. K. Chesterton

They say that the wrestling room is where champions are devel-oped. That was certainly the case for us. I was pushed by JoeGoguts (my cousin), Rennie Rodarmel, Rich Carter, and MartyWinnick.

Harry Weinhofer, who was a year behind me, was my stiffest com-petition in practice; we had some great battles during our workouts.Harry was a pinner while I was a takedown artist and rider.

Harry and I only had one wrestle-off; a match in which I wondecisively (17-2). I had to make a statement, and I did. Harry neverasked for another wrestle-off during our three years together. Buthe did win states after I graduated.

In dual meets and tournaments, Harry and I were referred to asthe “German Dynamic Duo.”

My senior year, a gutsy freshman by the name of Joey Bordell hadthe audacity to challenge Harry and me. We subdued him, but healways came back for more. His senior year Joey became aPennsylvania state champ.

That’s three state champs pounding on each other during eachand every practice workout. No one can argue with me that cham-pions are most definitely made in the wrestling room.

Bill Welker, riding Dana Luckenbaugh of West York in the Pennsylvania state finals his senior year, was defeat-ed by a narrow 4-3 margin at “Rec Hall.” Bill ended his scholastic wrestling career with 83 victories and was oldShamokin High School’s winningest wrestler. He was the last wrestler to compete in a “Greyhound” uniform.Bill and Floyd Welker were the first brother-team to win state championships in District Four, a hotbed ofPennsylvania wrestling.

““TThhee bbrraavveesstt ssiigghhtt iinn tthhee wwoorrlldd iiss ttoosseeee aa mmaann ssttrruuggggllee aaggaaiinnsstt aaddvveerrssiittyy..””

- SenecaAs for me, I am most reminded of two wrestling dual meets,

where I learned very significant lessons in life. After manyvictories on the mats, my confidence, which was now full-grown, ironically became an impediment.

The first lesson involved a match in which we didn’t listento Coach Paul’s and Coach Weaver’s advice. We paid dearlyfor it, especially me.

To the best of my memory, which is excellent due to myOCD, the competitive experience went something like this.

It was the winter of 1963 in Pennsylvania. The ShamokinHigh School “Greyhounds” were about to wrestle theSouthern Area High School “Tigers” in their yearly centralPennsylvania dual meet. Competing for Shamokin at thetime, I (along with my teammates) considered the match to bea “breather” in our otherwise grueling schedule.

Picked to win the contest by an overwhelming margin, ourcoach and his devoted assistant did everything in their powerto temper the overconfidence they sensed in us. We didn’t lis-ten and I, in particular, was truly humbled by the experience.

Yours truly was pitted against Tim Steele, a childhoodacquaintance who I knew from church. Tim was a nice kid,too nice (I thought) to even consider going out for wrestling.During our coach’s pep talk prior to the evening’s match, Iwas instructed to pin Timmy Steele in an expedient manner.Being the defending district champion at that weight class, Ifully expected to record the quickest fall of my career.

When Tim and I shook hands at the start of our bout, I wasbriefly amused by a gleam in his eyes which I mistook as ashow of false bravado. At that moment, however, my primaryconcern was to end the match as swiftly and painlessly aspossible.

Ten seconds into the first period, Ipancaked Tim, pounding his back tothe mat.

It was going to be easier than I previ-ously anticipated. But then, like a flashof lightning, he sprang into a highbridge that almost catapulted me fromhis body. Tim maintained a steep archfor the remainder of the period,thwarting all my attempts to secure afall. I was impressed by his tenacity.

Starting the second stanza in thedown position, I immediately gained areversal. Less than twenty ticks later, Iplaced Tim Steele on his back with a“guillotine.”

Like the maneuver suggests, Timwas in agony when I stretched hisneck to its legal limit. Still, he foughtdoggedly to keep his near shoulder offthe mat until the period ended.

I was in awe by Tim’s incredible defi-ance of the inevitable. At this point inthe match, I was becoming desperate,

knowing it was my charge to flatten Tim Steele.Can you believe it? Even though I was “clobbering” my

antagonist, I was the one who began to panic!On top the third period, I endeavored to crush Tim Steele

for putting me through this public embarrassment which Iwas thus far experiencing. So as soon as the whistle blew, Iimmediately employed a “Chicken-Wing.” (Today, this arm-wrenching hold is outlawed in the mat sport.) With the pres-sure I applied on Tim’s shoulder, I knew he had to be inexcruciating pain. Then I shot a devastating half nelson thatdrove him to his back.

For almost two minutes, Timmy Steele literally cried inanguish. Nonetheless, he never submitted. Then I heard thefinal buzzer amidst the ear-shattering cheers of those in atten-dance.

At that very instant, I was visibly stunned by the realizationthat I had fallen short in accomplishing my goal.

When the referee raised my hand, there was a thunderousround of applause from both sides of the gym. Of course, Iunderstood, as did my coaches and teammates, that the acco-lades were not for me, but for my valiant opponent.

Although he scored not one point, and was on his back forwell over five minutes, Tim Steele was truly the winner of ourmatch.

Southern Area went on to tie Shamokin that night (20-20). Itwas, without question, a moral victory for the “Tigers.” AndTimothy Steele was the inspiration behind that surprisingoutcome.

As members of both squads shook hands at the conclusionof the meet, Tim and I faced each other once again. I smiledwith sincere admiration, congratulating him on his fine per-formance.

There are champions in life very few people remember. Iwill never forget my competitive encounter with Tim Steelewho championed courage.



WRESTLING Book

page 24 April 15, 2017 - Wrestling U.S.A. Magazine

““LLii ffee iiss aa lloonngg lleessssoonn iinn hhuummii ll ii ttyy””- Sir James M. Barrie

Everyone remembers the worst athletic miscues of their entire lives.I am no different. “Stupid is as stupid does” best describes this sec-ond lesson I regretfully learned.

It was a frigid January night in 1964 my junior year and we trav-eled to wrestle Central Columbia, a high school near Bloomsburg,Pennsylvania. The referee was Russ Houk, the legendary wrestlingcoach at Bloomsburg State College, who was the team manager forthe 1960 U.S.A. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team.

I was wrestling 112 pounds that year, moving up two weight class-es after my state championship performance as a sophomore. Myopponent that Wednesday evening was a wrestler by the name ofSteve Chamberlain, who was relatively unknown in the mat sport.

I was not at all concerned about my match, and just planned to winand support the rest of my team members the remainder of the dualmeet.

At the beginning of the third period, I was winning 9 to nothing,and I was on top. While riding Chamberlain, I got too high. He thenwrapped his left arm around my right leg. Thinking he would notknow what to do, I leaned my head over his back.

How very foolish.Before my coaches could scream at me for the mistake,

Chamberlain wrapped his right arm around my neck and locked

hands, rolling me over to my back. I was entwined in a reverse cra-dle and there was nothing I could do.

Moments later, Coach Houk slapped the mat, shaking his head indisgust at me.

I was never so humiliated and embarrassed in my entire scholasticwrestling career. My coaches wouldn’t even speak to me. I spent therest of the meet sitting in the chair with my hands on my head.

But it gets even more ludicrous.Years later, I received a letter from my hometown friend, Ron

Weller. In it was a clipping from our local newspaper.Many news media outlets write columns noted as “What hap-

pened this day 10, 20, 30 (and so on) years ago?”Sure enough, that infamous Wednesday night of long ago was

revisited again by my hometown paper in 1994. The headline on thesports page read “Chamberlain Pins Reigning State Champion, BillyWelker in 1964!”

EEPPIILLOOGGUUEEAlthough this is a story about me: the boy I was and

the man I became, it is also a story of my mother andher prayers. Looking back, I’ve seen how her prayershave protected and led me through my many self-induced mistakes to prosper.

On June 4, 2011, that wonderful woman, who accom-panied Billy to the principal’s office so long ago, begana new eternal life with her Father in heaven. Mother’sspiritual foundation was built around her deep devo-tion to the Trinity –God the Father, God the Son, andGod the Holy Spirit.

By her example, Floyd and I not only learned how topray, but even more importantly, we learned thepower of prayer in our lives.

As our protector, whenever Floyd and I got intotrouble with Dad, she would calm him down and saveus from dire consequences. She even went as far as totell Dad little “white lies” to save our young hides. I’msure Dad knew. However, due to his steadfast love forMom, he let some of our childhood transgressions pass.

After Mom’s funeral, I began to feel guilty for notalways being the best of sons. I thought of my losingpatience with her as Mom got older. I wanted to tellher one last time, “I’m sorry, Mom, for all I put youthrough growing up, for sometimes being moody, andfor not telling you how much ‘I love you’ more often.”

I was so saddened by these thoughts while cleaningout the house that evening. After disposing of some oldclothing in the trash can, I happened to see a glint onthe sidewalk from the street light.

When I picked it up, I was amazed to see it was alapel pin in the shape of a heart with a dove connect-ed. Even after her departure, Mother sent her uncon-ditional love filled with forgiveness. I wear it to thisvery day.

Thanks, again, Mom.

The Sparrow’s Spirit is a 156-page paperback that was publishedby RoseDog Books. For information on ordering a copy go towww.amazon.com or www.dorrancepublishing.com

The names “Welker,” “Shamokin,” “state champiion” began with HaroldWelker. He won his title in 1938 during the first-ever Pennsylvania StateWrestling Championships held in “Rec Hall” at Penn State University.


YOUTH Wrestling

By Jack Roller

6 & Under37 lbs.1. Roman Lopez, Grand Prairie, TX2. Manuel Cacoilo Jr., San Jose, CA3. Kanon Posey, Pittsboro, IN3. Wyatt Rooks, Skiatook, OK40 lbs.1. Gannon Wilson Catoosa OK2. Jayden Beard Sperry OK3. Cayden Scott Bixby OK3. Anthony Shifflett Gering NE43 lbs.1. Adin Wessley, Wichita, KS2. Roman Tyler, Berryhill, OK3. Shawn Coffel, Cibolo, TX46 lbs.1. Carson Blum, Grand Rapids, MI2. Terrance Crawford, Omaha, NE

3. Brennan Gray, Yukon, OK49 lbs.1. Deshawn Parrow, Waterloo, IA2. Joseph Whitford V, Laie, HI3. Jovani Galvan, Aurora, CO52 lbs.1. Elijah Muhammad, Edmond, OK2. Liam McDunnah, Davison, MI3. Grady Hayden, Butler, OH3. Hilkyah Sampson, Bixby, OK55 lbs.1. Jalyn Smith, Omaha, NE2. Jayden Bussell, Sand Springs, OK3. Tristen Jewell, Boerne, TX60 lbs.1. Thunder Page, Andover, KS2. Karrsen Bussan, Pardeeville, WI3. Solomon Starks, Omaha, NE

70 lbs.1. Merrick Dombrowski, Lees Summit, MO1. Chase Harrison, Powa, CO3. Julian Serna, Grand Prairie, TXHWT.1. Logan Gaut Morrison OK2. Calon McCoy Southmoore OK3. Westin Jones Palmyra MO3. Luke Warner Sallisaw OK

8 & Under43 lbs.1. Lane Walters, Salina, OK2. James Bilby, Rose Hill, KS3. Romeo Silva, Arvada, CO46 lbs.1. Ignacio Villasenor, Commerce City, CO2. Mason Burnham, Catoosa, OK3. Jaxon Randle, Chickasha, OK49 lbs.1. Kru Vance, Catoosa, OK2. Turner Ross, Westlake, TX3. Talon Verbeck, Ark City, KS52 lbs.1. Jagen Jones, Sperry, OK2. Maverick Rojas, Grand Prairie, TX2. Mikey Ruiz, Amarillo, TX55 lbs.1. Kane Shawger, Liberty Twp, OH2. Jesse Grajeda, Rowland Heights, CA3. Gabriel Ballard, Northampton, PA3. Maddox Schubert, Stillwater, OK58 lbs.1. Landon Collins, Arlington, TX2. Dallas Korponic, Howell, MI3. Grayson Fuchs, Brownstown, MI61 lbs.1. Joey Canova, Kinnelon, NJ2. Ben Ziola, Elkhorn, NE3. Gavin Weichelt, Colorado Springs, CO

64 lbs.1. Legend Ellis, Glenpool, OK2. Daxton Sullivan, Bristow, OK3. Jr Ortega, Morrison, CO67 lbs.1. Gunner Lopez, Centenial, CO2. Jermaine Dortch, Omaha, NE3. Wyatt Fry, Grindhouse, AZ

World of WrestlingNational Youth Rankings

2017 Flo Tulsa Nationals - 12 & Under 76 lbs. Jace Roller (Oklahoma) picking up back points onRyder Block (Iowa). Roller won by decision 6-1. Photo by Amanda Barnett Photography.

W r e s t l i n g U S A . c o m70 lbs.1. Mario Carini, San Diego, CA2. John Knight, Bridgeport, WV3. Jayden McCaster, Columbia, MO75 lbs.1. Mason Ontiveros, Turlock, CA2. Brayton Feister, New Philadelphia, OH3. Jaxon Gordon, Carson, IA3. Max Griner, Boynton Beach, FL3. Dylan Reel, Powder Springs, GA3. Jude Smith, Bridge Creek, OK85 lbs.1. Darien Lewis, Amarillo, TX1. Danny Zmorowski, Twinsburg, OH3. Kehlan Corbbery, Tulsa, OK100 lbs.1. Dreshaun (Staton) Ross, Fort Dodge, IA2. Baylor Bart, Catoosa, OK3. Kooper Roland, Ponca City, OKHWT.1. Teagan Dybevik, Colfax, IA1. Joey Ma, Moreland Hills, OH3. Jonathan Rulo, East St. Louis, IL

10 & Under52 lbs.1. Talan Parsons, Bannister, MI2. Trenton Richwine, Rose Hill, KS3. Keanu Dillard, Red Hawk, PA55 lbs.1. Ronnie Ramirez, La Verne, CA1. Aydan Thomas, Keller, TX3. Dale OBlia, Denver, CO 58 lbs.1. Revin Dickman, Plainfield, IN2. Co'ji Campbell, Kenosha, WI3. Tyson Charmoli, Pinnacle, MN61 lbs.1. Destin Parker, Fort Worth, TX2. Derek Barrows, Ft. Collins, CO3. Charlie Bergeson, Flower Mound, TX64 lbs.1. Seth Mendoza, Mokena, IL2. Davis Motyka, Kingston, PA3. Jackson Blum, Lawton, MI3. Parker Reynolds, Brownsburg, IN67 lbs.1. Vince Bouzakis, Tampa, FL2. Gunner Andrick, Point Pleasant, WV 2. Zao Estrada, Parker, CO70 lbs.1. Kyler Lauridsen, Omaha, NE2. Riley Graber, Northfield, MN3. Owen Eck, Andale, KS73 lbs.1. Brock Mantanona, Bermuda Dunes, CA2. Ryan Ford, Mahwah,, NJ3. Haakon Peterson, Hollandale, WI76 lbs.1. Edmund Enright, Chicago, IL2. Logan Glynn, Omaha, NE3. PJ Duke, Patterson, NY

80 lbs.1. Brent Dennhardt, Rippey, IA2. D'mitri Alarcon, Bear Cave, CO2. Tucker Stangel, Indianola, IA85 lbs.1. Jason Mara, Bakersfield, CA2. LaDarion Lockett, Stillwater, OK3. Zack Ryder, Westtown, NY90 lbs.1. Hudson Rogers, Gooding, ID2. Ayden Flores, Maize, KS3. Maurice Bell, Omaha, NE100 lbs.1. Peyton Westpfahl, Kansas City, MO2. Evan Rizzo, Independence, OH3. Colin Kelly, Mokena, IL110 lbs.1. Jonny Slaper, Perry, OH2. Jace Henderson, Hutchinson, KS3. Jack Lesher, St. Charles, IL130 lbs.1. Jace Williams, Elgin, OK2. Benjamin Shue, Carlstadt, NJ3. Gabriel Kaminski, Riverside, ILHWT.1. Tyson Terry, Omaha, NE2. Gunner Wilson, Catoosa, OK3. Jordan Fuston, Piedmont, OK

12 & Under64 lbs.1. Clayton Giddens, Sand Springs, OK2. Luke Lilledahl, St. Louis, MO3. Brandon Morvari, Richfield, MN67 lbs.1. Shawn Ryncarz, Arlington, TX2. Otto Black, Castle Rock, CO2. Wyatt Richter, Broadview Heights, OH70 lbs.1. Kale Petersen, Rockford, IA2. Braeden Davis, Dundee, MI3. Sefton Douglass, Lyman, WY73 lbs.1. Dylan Gilcher, West Bloomfield, MI2. Aden Valencia, San Jose, CA3. Cael Hughes, Stillwater, OK

76 lbs.1. Kai Owen, Tampa, FL2. Jace Roller, Bixby, OK3. Pierson Manville, Lorton, VA80 lbs.1. Caden Horwath, Davison, MI1. Marc-Anthony McGowan, Tampa, FL3. Carter Fousek, Chester, IA84 lbs.1. Kannon Webster, Toulon, IL2. Aiden Riggins, Janesville, IA3. Beau Mantanona, Bermuda Dunes, CA88 lbs.1. Jordan Williams, Tulsa, OK2. Daniel Cardenas, Northglenn, CO3. Angelo Ferrari, Allen, TX92 lbs.1. Cameron Steed, Tulsa, OK2. Eli Rocha, Platte City, MO3. Daniel Soto, Denver, CO96 lbs.1. Joshua Barr, Flushing, MI2. Jacob Salcedo, Fontana, CA3. Hayden Taylor, Solon, IA100 lbs.1. Matthew Singleton, Moreland, GA2. Michael Kilic, Marietta, GA3. Kyle Dutton, Independence, MO3. Derek Raike, Point Pleasant, WV105 lbs.1. Joey Cruz, Dethrone, CA2. Cory Hicks, Durant, OK3. Evan Bennett, Avon, OH110 lbs.1. Robert Avila, Las Vegas, NV2. Brayden Thompson, Chicago,, IL3. Dillon Dick, Castle Rock, CO120 lbs.1. Rylan Rogers, Clarkston, WA2. Roman Cruz, Westminster, CO3. Tyler Antoniak, LaVista, NE130 lbs.1. Justin Onello, Closter, NJ2. Tanner Meyers, Tea, SD3. Kennedy Blades, Brookfield, IL



YOUTH Wrestling145 lbs.1. Gage Hamm, Coweta, OK2. Ethan Umfleet, Monett, MO3. Gavin Meyers, Hays, KS160 lbs.1. Quentin Saunders, Wichita, KS2. Brandon Navarro, Melrose Park, IL3. Ian Jones, Oklahoma City, OKHWT.1. Caleb Phillips, Coweta, OK2. Brock Sullivan, Blue Springs, MO3. Navarro Schunke, Brandon, SD3. Taylor Vincent, Wichita, KS

15 & Under75 lbs.1. Richard Fedalen, Laurel, MD2. Devon Weber, Pratt, KS3. Braden Basile, Tampa, FL82 lbs.1 15 82 Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge, IA2 15 82 Jacob Mann, St. Louis, MO3. Christopher Williams, Valentine, NE 89 lbs.1. Zach Blankenship, Bixby, OK2. Anthony Ferrari, Allen, TX3. Jett Strickenberger, Monument, CO95 lbs.1. Dustin Norris, Monroe, OH2. Jesse Mendez, Shererville, IN3. Nain Vazquez, Aurora, IL101 lbs.1. Vincent Zerban, Bethalto, IL2. Micah Norwood, Pickerington, OH 3. Isaac Salas, Valencia, CA108 lbs.1. Nic Bouzakis, Tampa, FL2. Trey Crawford, Kansas City, MO

2. Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny, IA115 lbs.1. Travis Mastrogiovanni, Sparta, NJ2. Tagen Jamison, Durant, OK3. Ethen Miller, Greater Heights, MO3. Joseph Martin, Fresno, CA

3. Bam West, Edmond, OK125 lbs.1. Luka Wick, San Gabriel, CA2. Drew Eller, Martinez, GA3. Victor Voinovich, Streetsboro, OH135 lbs.1. Cougar Andersen, Skiatook, OK1. Padraic Gallagher, Chesterland, OH3. Alex Facundo, Essexville, MI145 lbs.1. Ross Arch, Palmyra, MO2. Cole Rees, Omp, PA3. Chance Downs, Delhi, IA3. Greyden Penner, Kansas City, MO157 lbs.1. Kyle Haas, Maize, KS2. Kaleb Tabor, Tulsa, OK3. Jaziah Whaley Jr., Gilcrest, CO175 lbs.1. Brandon Hoselton Chenoa IL2. Brian Pollard, Skiatook, OK2. Cayden Winter, Andale, KS200 lbs.1. Kaden Glass, Sand Springs, OK2. Nico Lopez, Tulsa, OK3. Ethan Kremer, Shawnee, KS285 lbs.1. Erich Osteen ,Simi Valley, CA1. Hayden Price, Bixby, OK3. Donovan Ford, Cedar Hill, TX

2017 Flo Tulsa Nationals - 12 & Under 92 lbs. Andres Lopez (New Mexico) working to escape fromCameron Steed (Oklahoma). Steed won by fall. Photo by Amanda Barnett Photography.

GIRL Wrestling


llie Procter, a five year old preschooler,from Dahlonega, Georgia, has made histo-ry! Allie is now the first ever girl to win aboys/girls State Championship in the Stateof Georgia. Allie won the State Title on

March 5, 2017 at the final tournament of the season inCartersville, Georgia, where she was the only girl in herdivision. Allie Procter went 3-0 at the State Tournamentin the 6u 37-pound division as a member of JacksonCounty Takedown Team. Her team brought a total ofseven kids to the State tournament where five tookhome State Championship Titles. Jackson County’sTakedown Team won the tournaments overall 6u and 8uTeam First Place trophies as well. It was an outstanding,history making performance from the team as a whole.

As her first State Championship one might think shewould be nervous, but Allie was more excited thannervous. Allie enjoys wrestling and the commitmentand dedication it takes to be focusedon the mat. People describe her as“intense” when watching her com-pete. Within the competition thatday, her first match was againstImmanuel Vanderpool of CollinsHill Youth Wrestling where Alliewas able to win by a score of 8-1.Second up was Lagston Merritt ofthe Glascow Wrestling Academy,which she won by a score of 13-2.Then in the Finals, Allie won by sec-ond round pin against Patten Holleyof South Georgia. Allie Procter alsoreceived the belt at 37-pounds forthe Battle of the Belt for Georgia,which is awarded from pointsearned throughout the season froma compilation of tournament results.What an exciting moment for her,her team and her family.

This was Allie’s first season ofwrestling having watched her broth-er Jack Procter, 8u 45-pound GeorgiaState Champion train for a few yearsnow. She learns a lot from her broth-er, who is always in her corner rout-ing her on, alongside her dad andcoaches. Allie has a twin sister

named Riley who doesn’t share Allie’s passion forwrestling, but is a strong athlete herself, just on the soc-cer field instead. Although they compete in differentsports, they already share one consistent drive andstrong passion -- WINNING!

Allie has put her time in this season by training threedays a week with numerous strong wrestling partners.Outside her natural talent, some of her competitiveadvantage is the amount of practice and great partner-ship she gets through being invited to attend variousgyms throughout the season. Not to mention the con-stant sibling rivalry wrestling between her and herbrother, Jack. Having a wrestling State Champion as abrother no doubt forces you to have some skills. Eventhough this is her first season of wrestling, she is nostranger to the mats. Her father/coach and formerProfessional MMA fighter, Dustin Procter, has had herclimbing ropes, carrying dumbbells, flipping on rings,

2017 Georgia Kids State Wrestling Championships - 37 lbs. Allie Procter (Jackson CountyTakedown Team) on top of the podium after winning the 6u 37-pound division with a pin againstPatten Holley (South Georgia) to become Georgia’s first girl champion in the sport. Photo by JenniferHawk Wiley.

AA

FFiirrsstt GGiirrll SSttaattee CChhaammppiioonniinn tthhee SSttaattee ooff GGeeoorrggiiaa

By Rose Procter

and running on the mats of his own gym (ClevelandMMA & Fitness in Cleveland, Georgia) for almost threeyears now. To Allie, the gym is her second home andjust a part of her daily routine. That comfort she hasdeveloped on the mats now shows in her wrestlingmatches. In addition to her father ’s gym, she also trav-els during the season once or twice a week down to thetraining center of the Jackson County Youth WrestlingTeam under the tutelage of Coach Allen Spry. Currently,there are now five State Champions that train together,with Allie being the smallest, which helps increase herendurance and prepare Allie for strong competition.

She loves the tournament weekends of traveling andstaying in hotels with her older brother and her dad.They have made it fun and it has become a bondingactivity for each of them. Her father puts an emphasison low stress and lots of fun, as kids wrestling has alow retention rate due to the intense training and pres-sure in general from performing in individual sports.Like other individual sports, it is always on thewrestler ’s shoulders to win, they can’t have an “off”day. In team sports, this can be masked by other mem-bers of the team and their performance, still leading toa victory. In wrestling, it takes fierce dedication andmental toughness to always compete at their best. Herparents believe these are lessons that will benefit Allieoff the mat as well. Being resilient and mentally toughis a quality needed for life in general and wrestling def-initely gives kids that. They stated that perseverance,confidence, self-control, and focus under pressure areskills that all parents want their daughters to have.

Wrestling has given this to Allie, and her brother Jackas well. It has also given them a better perspective onthe Nation, being able to travel to many States, includ-ing the Tulsa Nationals in Oklahoma. Allie has traveledall around to surrounding states as well, includingSouth Carolina where she competed in the Mat AssassinShowdown. In this tournament she competed in 5matches winning every match by pin and earning her aFirst Place in the Girls Division 5 & 6 year olds at 40/50pounds, as well as First Place in the open 35/40 pounddivision where she competed against all boys.

Allie plans on training a few days a week during theoff season so she can not only be the first girl in Georgiato win a boys/girls State Title, but also be the first 2-time state champion, as a girl; and then 3-time… andon, and on. She is in love with the sport and already atfive years old is serving as a role-model not only toother girls who aspire to wrestle, but to all her team-mates (team consisted of Allie Procter, 37 pound 6UChampion, Samuel Donaldson, 49 pound 6UChampion, Donovan Spry, 42 pound 8U Champion,Jack Procter, 45 pound 8U Champion, Daelin Spry, 40pound 6U 4th place, and Deacon Wiley, 67 pound 8U5th place) and family as well.

Currently, Allie is a preschooler in Lumpkin CountyPre-K, Georgia. She will attend Long BranchElementary in Dahlonega, Georgia, starting in fall 2017.She is the daughter of Dustin & Rose Procter ofDahlonega, GA, and sister to Jack, Lana, and twin sisterRiley.

2017 Georgia Kids State Wrestling Championships - 37 lbs. Allie Procter (Jackson County Takedown Team) working for a pin against ImmanuelVanderpool (Collins Hill Youth Wrestling). Procter would win this first round match by decision 8-1. Photo by Jennifer Hawk Wiley.


GIRL Wrestling

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