7th
Annual WUSA Magazine /
Cliff Keen Dream Team Classic Dual Meet
By J.R. Ogden
The only advice Jim Husk gave his national
Dream Team was to have fun. They had a blast.
The USA Dream Team completely dominated an
Iowa Elite Team, 60-0, in the seventh annual Wrestling USA/Cliff
Keen Dream Team Classic prep all-star wrestling meet before more
than 1,000 fans Saturday night at Prairie High School.
The Dream Team won four of the 14 bouts by
pin, four others by major decision and one by technical fall.
The Iowa team managed just four take-downs and was outscored,
168-54, in match points.
Husk, a high school coach for 39 years from
Miami, Fla., said he always dreamed of coaching a team like this.
"I've never had a team that is literally
a dream team," he said. "This is a heck of a group of
kids."
It would have been hard to find an argument last night.
Daniel Ruiz of The Woodlands, Texas, started
things off with a second-period pin at 103 and Brandon Hardy of
Portsmouth, Va., at 125, Jake Herbert of Wexford, Pa., at 171
and Grant Miller of Rockton, Ill., at heavyweight also scored
falls.
Roger Kish of Lapreer, Mich., at 189 scored
a technical fall and Mark McKnight of McDonald, Pa., (119 pounds),
Daniel Frishkorn of Chesapeake, Va., (130), Ryan Lang of Lakewood,
Ohio (135) and Jake Donar of Cuba City, Wis., (145) all scored
major decisions.
"We just kept our heads and wrestled strong,"
said McKnight, who scored five takedowns in a 15-4 wing over Derek
Fuglsang of Maguoketa.
Lang won the battle of four-time state champions, taking Hudson's
C.J.
Ettelson down twice and using five nearfall
points in a 12-4 win. Lang won four Ohio state titles for St.
Edward High School and has a career record of 153-17. Ettelson,
who is headed for Northern Iowa after a 161-3 prep career, scored
the Iowa team's first takedown with less than a minute left in
the match.
Iowa recruit Mark Perry of Stillwater, Okla.,
was one of the few Dream Team members who was upset after the
dual. He wasn't happy with his 11-4 victory over Iowa City West's
Omar Maktabi. Perry started things off with a five-point move
and led 10-1 midway through the second period, but Maktabi hung
tough and scored a takedown in the third period.
"I'm never satisfied unless I pin the guy or tech (fall)
him," Perry said.
Blake Gillis of Spencer gave the Dream Team
its biggest scare, losing to Senior National champion and Minnesota
recruit Matt Koz of Strongsville, Ohio, 8-6, at 215. Koz had leads
of 5-1 and 7-2 in the second period, but Gillis scored a reversal
and takedown in the third period to make things interesting.
"The Iowa kids were tough," Husk said.
The Iowa team was a bit depleted because the 26th annual North-South All-Star Dual held the night before in Charles City.
The 7th Annual Dream Team Classic will
be held on April 12 at Prairie
High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The excitement is building
as selection
of the Iowa Elite Team approaches. The selections will be made
following
the State Tournament which will be held on February 27-28 and
March 1 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa Elite Team could have some
4-Time State
Champions on its roster to go against the ever-excellent Dream
Team which is
chosen from the best high school senior wrestlers throughout the
entire United
States. A real battle is anticipated on April 12.
Those of you who anticipate attending from a great distance from
Cedar Rapids
should make arrangements to fly into the Eastern Iowa Airport
in Cedar Rapids.
The meet will begin at 6:30PM on April 12 and will be proceeded
by the First
Annual Dream Team Classic Clinic at 10:00AM the morning of the 12th. Cael
Sanderson and Dan Gable are tentively scheduled as clinicians
and will make
their presentation to all junior high and high school wrestlers
who want to
attend. The clinic will also be held at Prairie High School and
will last until
11:30AM. Cost will be $5.00 per wrestler payable at the door.
All participants are
urged to be prepared to participate on the mat and should arrive
no later
9:15AM. Doors will open at 8:45AM. If schedules of Sanderson and/or
Gable
change, their place{s} will be filled by other previous participants
in the Dream
Team Classic.
For those attending the Dream Team Classic, the following
information is very
important:
Date....................April 12, 2003
Time................... 6:30PM Doors Open.......5:00PM
Place...................Prairie High School
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Admission........ $5.00/person
For advance admission, contact:
Kevin Behrends, AD
319-848-5350
Make your plans now to avoid missing one of
very best wrestling events in the
nation. You will see many wrestling stars of the present and the
future and we
anticipate a huge crowd.
See you at the Dream Team Classic!
Don Huff and Steve Gillen
IOWA TEAM
Career
Name High School 2003 State Tournament Result
103 Tony Hager Ogden Class 1A runner-up
112 Justin Brown Centerville Class 2A champion (2-time champ)
119 Derek Fuglsang Maquoketa Class 2A seventh-place
125 Jake Halvorsen Iowa City West Class 3A runner-up
130 Jay Bjustrom Algona Class 2A champion
135 C.J. Ettelson Hudson Class 1A champion (4-time champ)
140 Colby Goetsch Ankeny Class 3A champion
145 Topher Ewing Ankeny Class 3A champion
152 Nathan Van Dyke South Tama Class 2A champion
160 Omar Maktabi Iowa City West Class 3A runner-up
171 Travis Branson Melcher-Dallas Class 1A champion
189 Bryce Chyma South Tama Class 2A champion
215 Blake Gillis Spencer Class 3A champion
275 Chase Rogers Marshalltown Class 3A champion
USA TEAM
Career Name High School State Record State Champion College Signed with
103
lb. Daniel RuizDanny, like the state of Texas, is relatively
new to the sport of wrestling. High School wrest-ling was sanctioned
one year when Danny started. He had been playing soccer since
he was four, so the family was "shocked" when he enrolled
in wrestling instead of soccer! His sister, who played soccer
for The University of Memphis, strongly questioned his sanity
for giving up soccer for "a sport you know absolutely nothing
about!" Her words proved somewhat prophetic as Danny finished
with a 11-17 record as a freshman, and a real passion for the
sport.
Danny's sophomore season resulted in a 30-9
record, a regional placer, and his first involvement with Freestyle
and Greco-Roman when a local coach recommended a wrestling club
that sponsored weekly Freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments. "When
I walked into the building and saw what coaches and wrestlers
were there, I knew I was at a place that was making the difference."
As luck would have it, Team Texas was organizing for the National
Duals and Fargo so he joined the team. "Getting coached by
coaches who are really trying to make Texas respectable, and then
wrestling with and against some the best wrestlers in the state
and nation showed me how much I had to learn and work." Danny's
summer ended learning the sport the hard way on the mat.
Danny's "trial by fire" summer elevated
his high school game, and he was 45-3 and placed him at state
his Junior year. Wrestling for Team Texas and placing 4th at Fargo
in Greco, as well as becoming the AAU National Champion at 112
were the summer high points.
Danny is currently 32-0, and a team captain of a talented Woodlands High School team. "It is my parents, all the coaches, the wrestlers and their parents that took the time to help me that deserve the credit for my improvement. It is a tough, demanding sport, but not one you can succeed at alone."
112
lb. Eric Sanders
Wabasha Kellogg High School
Wabasha, Minnesota
GPA: 3.88
Senior Year Record: 15-0
Career Record: 4x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 200-26-0, 59 Pins
College Plans: North Dakota State
College Major: Engineering
When Eric San-ders was in fifth grade, his
father and coach, Ron Sanders, saw something special is his prize
pupil.
There's no way coach Sanders could have predicted
what his son would go on to accomplish in six years as a high
school wrestler at Wabasha-Kellogg. There was something about
his demeanor on the mat at an early age that got Ron Sanders excited.
"As an elementary school wrestler, he always won twice as many matches as he lost," coach Sanders said. "In fifth grade, he went 55-2 and his only two losses were in the state freestyle tournament. That's when I knew he'd be good. But I didn't know he'd be this good." Just how good is Eric Sanders? Only one of the best wrestlers the state of Minnesota has ever produced. The talented 119 pound senior became just the 11th wrestler in the state to earn 200 career victories. Sanders is one of only 10 Minnesota high school wrestlers with, four state titles under his belt, having won the 103-pound titles in 1999 and 2000, as well as the 112-pound championships in 2001 and '02. If everything falls into place and his hand is raised in victory in the state finals this year, he will become only the second wrestler to have won 5 state titles.
119 lb. Mark Mc Knight
Chartiers Valley High School
Bridgeville, pennsylvania
GPA: 3.0
Senior Year Record: 38-1
Career Record: 1x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 131-12
College Major: History
When Mark was 5 years old he brought a flier
home from school to his mom and said he wanted to wrestle.
Little did his family know just where this request would lead
him. He wrestled for the local pee wee program where
he won 4 junior olympic state championships making him one
of only 31 individuals in the history of the state to win 4 or
more titles. When Mark was 14 years old the high school he attended
lost its program but through some intervention by the school,
a co-op program was formed with a neighboring high school which
allowed Mark to wrestle for Chartiers Valley although he attended
South Fayette . While wrestling at Chartiers Valley Mark was a
3 time state place winner earning 2nd and 3rd place honors as
a sophmore and junior and finishing his career by winning a State Championship
at 119 lbs. as a senior. Along the way Mark was a 4 time powerade
tournament place winner, placing first as a senior and recieving
the outstanding wrestler award. He was the only wrestler
to ever win the Chartiers Houston tournament 4 times, and holds
every wrestling record at Chartiers Valley and South Fayette
becoming only the second wrestler in C.V. history to win a State
title and the first wrestler ever to win one at South Fayette.
He capped off his High School career by wrestling in the prestigious
Dapper Dan Classic in which he represented Pennsylvania and was
voted Outstanding wrestler for the Pennsylvania team. He wrestles
freestyle and greco for The Angry Fish Wrestling Club where
some of his other accomplishments include 5x state freestyle champion,
6x state greco champion, cadet national runner-up in freestyle,
3x all american in freestyle, and 2x all american in greco.
125
lb. Brandon Hardy
Western Branch High School
Chesapeake, Virginia
GPA: 2.5
Senior Year Record: 22-0
Career Record: 1x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 150-10
College Plans: Oklahoma University
College Major: Business
I've been wrest-ling for 14 years, since I
was 4 years old. I attend West-ern Branch High School in Chesa-peake,
VA. There I am coached by Bob Siman. My past coach, Brian Dugan
coached me until my junior year in high school. In the off-season
I attend workouts at PWA (Peninsula Wrestling Association) Club
with head coach Joe Boone. In the 1999-2000 season I won the Sunshine
Open in Florida and the Christainburg Open. I finished runner-up
in the state and ended up with a 51-4 record. In the 2000-2001
season I placed 3rd in the Beast of the East. I placed runner-up
in the state again my sophomore year, ending up with a 48-5 record.
In the 2001-2002 season I placed 3rd in the Beast of the East
and won the Colonial Forge Tournament. I went on to win the state
title at the 125 lb weight class and ended the season with a 45-1
record. This year I've become the Beast of the East Champion and
Colonial Forge Tournament Champ (OW award winner). I've also been
selected for the Dapper Dan nominees. I'm currently 20-0 and a
overall record of 155-10.
Other Accomplishments
- FILA Cadet National Champion 2001
- 3rd in Cadet Nationals (Fargo) 2001
- 4th in Junior Nationals (Fargo) 2002
130
lb. Daniel Fishkorn
Great Bridge High School
Chesapeake, Virginia
GPA: 3.8
Career Record: 3x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 155-9
College Plans: Oklahoma State
College Major: Medicine
Daniel was USA Kids National Freestyle Champion (Battle Creek, Mich-igan) in 1995. Daniel was second at the Mid-Atlantic Wrest-ling Association (MAWA) tournament in 1997. He is a 6-time (1996-2000) Southeastern Region Freestyle champion and a one time Greco-Roman champion. Daniel is a 2x Western Region finalist. Daniel was the Virginia State Freestyle champion in 1998 and 2002 and the Virginia State Greco-Roman champion in the year-2000. In folkstyle, he's won four Hornet Holiday Classic titles, the Western Branch Rotational title, finished second at the Ironman in 2001 and won the Reno Tournament of Champions 2 weeks later. He placed twice at the Beast of the East, including placing third as a freshman. He's also won three Southeast District titles, three Eastern Regional titles, and three State AAA titles. In 2001 he placed 7th in the Junior Freestyle National Tournament in Fargo and 4th in 2002. This season Daniel has shown why every college coach in the country wanted him in their singlet. He has won the Ironman, The Beast of the East, and the Hornet Holiday Classic at Deep Creek for the fourth time. He was voted co-outstanding wrestler of the Hornet Holiday Classic with his brother Jordan.This guy is the real deal in every sense. He is ranked 1st in Virginia and 1st in the nation. Personal: Daniel is the son of Rick and Karen Pate, Daniel is an 18 year old senior. He has two brothers, Jordan Frishkorn and Michael Pate, and one sister, Kristin Frishkorn.
135
lb. Ryan Lang
St. Edward High School
Lakewood, Ohio
GPA: 3.4
Senior Year Record: 17-0
Career Record: 3x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 130-17
College Plans: Northwestern
College Major: Economics
Ryan began his wrestling life at the age of
four and a half years old. He started out, and continued wrestling
under the guidance and teachings of Dave Mariola at the Longwood
YMCA, in Twinsburg, Ohio. After the wrestling club split up, Ryan
began wrestling for the Greater Cleveland Catholic Youth Organization
(CYO), for St. Albeit the Great, coached by Jack Leonti Sr. From
5th through 8th grade, Ryan went undefeated in all dual meets,
and became only the 4th wrestler ever to win four city titles,
all four years of grade school.
Entering high school, Ryan was considered one
of the best freshmen in the state. Wrestling at 103 pounds, Ryan
went 37-2, while placing 1st at the Ironman, 1st at the Medina
Holiday Tournament, and becoming St. Edward's first freshman ever
to win an Ohio State Championship. He helped the team win the
team race, as well as being the national champions. As a sophomore
Ryan was 37-8, winning his 2nd state title at 125 pounds, helping
the team win another team race, and finishing national runners-up.
In his junior year he won his 3rd state title at 130 pounds, with
a record of 38-8, winning another team race.
He is a three-time Freestyle Ohio State Champion.
In the summer of 2002, he became Ohio's only Junior Freestyle
National Champ, winning the title at 130 pounds defeating Darryl
Vasquez (Cali-fornia's only 4 time state champion) in the finals.
Into his senior year and undefeated in at least 24 matches, Ryan has compiled a high school career record of at least 137-17, winning titles at the Ironman, Beast of the East, and Mayfield Big 8. He is on track to make history in becoming the Eagle's first four-time state champion, and only the second four-time Ohio Division I state champion. He is ranked #1 in the country this year by Wrestling USA Magazine, Amateur Wrestling News, and lntermat Wrestling.
140
lb. Ryan Needle
Newfane High School
Newfane, New York
GPA: 92.3
Senior Year Record: 22-0
Career Record: 2x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 218-12
College Plans: Ohio State
College Major: Sports Medicine
I started wrest-ling at the age of 5 after watching my older brother, Shane wrestle. Encouraged by my dad, a former wrestler and high school wrestling coach, my wrestling career began. I was involved in Lock-port Kids Club and took first place in every tournament. After my father knew I was interested, he would take me all over the country to various tournaments. At the age of 10, I was asked by Dick Byer's to travel with him to Japan to wrestle in the Japan Nationals, where I took second place. I have wrestled in the Tournament of Champions in Ohio, since the age of 6, and was selected to be a two-time member of the Ohio All-Star Traveling Team. I joined the Newfane High School wrestling team in 7th grade. While in high school, I have been a member of Super VI wrestling at the University at Buffalo and traveled to Germany to wrestle and I'm also a member of Chin Cup Wrestling Club, where we have traveled to the Disney Duals each year in Florida. I also participated over the summer with the New York State Cadet and Junior Freestyle National Team in Fargo North Dakota. I was an All-American in both the Cadet and Junior divisions. My goal of becoming a New York State champion was met in 8th grade as I went undefeated. I went through some ups and downs my freshman year, how-ever, I came back in l0th grade and took 4th in New York State at 125 1bs. I again had another undefeated season my junior year, winning the state tournament at l30 lbs. I currently broke the Western New York wins record and I am aiming for the state/national record of 243 wins and my third state title.
145 lb. Jake Donar
Cuba City High School
Cuba City Wisconsin
Senior Year Record: 42-0
Career Record: 3x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 143-10
College Plans: Wisconsin Madison
College Major: Conservation Warden
Jake Donar started wrestling at age 8. In 5th
grade, he learned about freestyle, it was faster and he enjoyed
throwing people. Jake likes both folk style and freestyle. As
a freshmen at 119# his record was 26 6 and made it to sectional.
Sophomore year 41-2, State Champ at 130#. Junior year 37 2, State
Champ at 140#. Senior year 42-2, State Champ at 145#. In freestyle,
Junior year he was a freestyle state champ at 152# and wrestle
at the Jr. Duals at Enid, Oklahoma.
Jake enjoys outdoors and does all kinds of
hunting, fishing, and water activities. In August, we go on family
trip to Canada, for a week of fishing. In the fall, Jake makes
two trips to South Dakota with family members pheasant hunting.
Jake plan on attend a University with a
major in the area of Forestry/DNR.
Jake has a brother and a sister. Jarod is 9
year old, enjoys the outdoors and sports. Jenny is a freshmen
enjoys outdoors and gymnastics.
152
lb. Eric Tannenbaum
Naperville North High School
Naperville, Illinois
GPA: 4.4
Senior Year Record: 17-0
Career Record: 2x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 158-1
College Plans: Michigan University
College Major: Business
It seems like Eric Tannenbaum has been wrestling forever, but he actually started in an Illinois summer park district program when his mom signed him up when he was eight years old. He wrestled in his socks because his dad wanted to see if he would stay with it before he bought him wrestling shoes. Ten years and dozens of wrestling shoes later, Eric is still with it and is considered to be one of the top three high school wrestlers in the country. Eric is lightening fast on his feet and by the end of this season will be the all time takedown leader in the state of Illinois with over 1,000 takedowns. He will also hold almost every wrestling record at Naperville North High School where he is an honors student holding a 4.4/4 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Currently a 2X AA state champ with a 158-1 record Eric is the overwhelming favorite to win his third state title. His only loss came in the state finals as a sophomore to a wrestler he had easily beaten during the year, but took too lightly. That was the last time he took an opponent for granted. He since has been on a tear first winning both styles at the Cadet Nationals in Fargo and being selected the Outstanding Wrestler in Greco. That year he was also the 2001 Grand Champion Belt Series Winner in the Cadet division. The next season was highlighted by Eric's winning the Fila Cadet Freestyle Nationals where he was once again selected the Outstanding Wrestler and the Junior Freestyle Nationals in a tough 140 pound weight class. Eric signed early with Michigan where he will wrestle 149 for Joe McFarland with his sites set on an NCAA title.
160
lb. Mark Perry
Blair Academy High School, New Jersey
Stillwater, Oklahoma
GPA 3.5
Senior Year Record: 26-0
Career Record: 1x National Prep Champ
College Plans: Iowa University
College Major: undecided
Around the age of seven I began my wrestling career in Lincoln, Nebraska. I wrestled for a local club called the Lincoln Warriors. I was not really ever introduced to the sport, it was just always a big part of both sides of my family, and has always been a part of my life. My Dad, Uncle Pat, John, Mark and Lee Roy all were either multiple-time AA or national champions. So I guess you could say, it's in my blood. From the beginning my wrestling career went very well. I had a natural feel for the sport. I won two national titles in Nebraska, before moving to Oklahoma. The level of competiton was much greater in Oklahoma, but after many competitions, I began to improve and won five titles; Tulsa Nationals, AAU Nationals, Cliff Keen Nationals, and many other prestigious tournaments. My freshmen year I took second at state and had a 36-1 record, at 103 and 112 pounds. My sophomore year I made the biggest decision of my life, to attend Blair Academy. This has better prepared me for attending college, and wrestling. As a sophomore I wrestled some of the best wrestlers in the country, and ended the year with a 48-4. My junior year I won the Ironman and Bethlehem Tournament, and was awarded the outstanding wrestler at the Prep Nationals. This year I am 26-0, winning the Ironman, Beast of the East, again receiving the oustanding wrestler award.
171
lb. Jake Herbert
North Allegheny High School
Wexford, Pennsylvania
GPA: 3.5
Senior Year Record: 18-0
Career Record: 1x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 120-18
College Plans: Northwestern
College Major: Engineering
My high school wrestling career started when
I was a 14 year old and 135 pound freshman. My record that year
ended up 32-8 with a 3rd place finish at the 1999 Powerade tournament,
a 1st place in the Warren County Tournament, and Eastern Area
Tournament, and winning section, then WPIAL's, and then loosing
in the semi-finals of the PIAA state tournament in overtime and
wrestling back for sixth. I had 15 pins that year.
My sophomore year I wrestled 145 pounds, I
was 15. I won the Eastern Area and Warren Tournaments again. I
fell back and took 6th at PowerAde after losing in the semi's.
I won the section, took second in WPIAL's, then losing to Nathan
Galloway in the PIAA state semi's I wrestled back to win 3rd place
beating the person who beat me in WPIAL finals. I finished up
35-8 that year with 15 pins. Then I started my first year of freestyle
and Greco wrestling. I took 3rd in both styles at the Pennsylvania
Cadet state qualifiers. Then I went out to Fargo, North Dakota,
for Cadet Nationals and placed 6th in Greco and 7th in Freestyle
losing to both the champions.
My Junior year I wrestled 160 pounds. I won
the Eastern Tournament and Powerade Tournament, and the Allegheny
County Tournament. I was a runner up at the 2001 Beast of the
East. I won sections, WPIAL's, then lost in the state finals.
I was 37-2 and had 21 pins that year. I won freestyle and Greco
States and placed 3rd at the Junior Freestyle National Tournament.
This year I am undefeated at 19-0 with 12 pins. I am wrestling at 171 and won the Ironman Tournament and Powerade tournament.
189
lb. Roger Kish
Lapeer West High School
Lapeer, Michigan
Senior Year Record: 38-0, 36 pins
Career Record: 3x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 225-2
College Plans: University of Minnesota
College Major: Business
Roger and his brother James be-gan wrestling at the age of nine and ten. From the beginning they were placing in all the local tournaments and were soon eager to wrestle throughout the state. They were both very competitive and practiced together. The brothers have both won state titles. Going into his senior year, Roger had a 187-2 high school record. As to date he has a 225-2 with a month left in the season. To say Roger has dominated his competition this season would be a vast understatement. He is 38-0 with 36 pins and is just eight victories away from surpassing the leader of the state's all-time wins leader. He is hard working and always willing to share his knowledge with everyone. He should have little trouble becoming the first grappler in state history to win four state championships, all at weights above 145 pounds.
215
lb. Matt Koz
St. Edward High School
Strongsville, Ohio
GPA: 2.5
Career Record: 2x State Champion
Win/Loss Record: 138-11, 86 Pins
College Plans: University of Minnesota
College Major: Business/Teaching
Matt began his wrestling career at the age
of five years old. He started out at Lakewood YMCA wrestling team
with his coach being his father. After the program went down,
be continued his wrestling at the Strongsville mini mustang program
under Coach Ashley Swift. After wrestling for five years in the
program he decided to change up things and wrestle for St. Joseph
and John CYO wrestling program winning two city titles.
Entering high school Matt started as a freshman
contributing to the national champs St. Edwards Eagles. Matt is
one of the first freshmen to start at Ed's at the heavier weights.
As a freshman Matt went 37-7 qualifying for the state tournament
only coming one match short of placing. Matt's sophomore year
was also very successful winning the Ironman Mayfield big 8 tournament
and taking 2nd at the Beast of the East in Delaware. As a sophomore
Matt was an Ohio State champion. As a junior Matt won the Ironman
Beast of the East and the Medina Holiday Tournament and also winning
his second straight state title.
Matt is a 2-time Ohio states champion. In the
summer Matt took fifth at the freestyle tournament beating the
kid that won it but due to criteria could not advance. Matt is
currently ranked number one in Wrestling USA Magazine. He currently
signed with the number one team in the country - the University
of Minnesota. His parents Charlie and Charlotte Koz are very proud
of his wrestling success and wish him the best for his future
in his wrestling career.
275
lb. Grant Miller
Rockton Hononegah High School
Rockton, Illinois
GPA: 3.2
Senior Year Record: 24-0
Career Record: 1x State Champ,
6x National Champ
Career Win-Loss Record: 149-17,
94 pins & 27 TF's
College Plans: Open
College Major: Undecided
I started wrest-ling at 11 incurring my first loss in the state finals. That spring I started freestyle and Greco and have championships at Northern Plains and USA Nationals that boosted my confidence. Next season I won the 3 World of Wrestling tournaments - huge trophies, a Trinity Award, great local press, photos in Wrestling USA Magazine, missing school and staying in nice hotels. I was hooked for good. Two years earlier I was a couch potato.
National tournaments unveiled insights into winning. Realizing I could win at the national level sharpened my perspective and gave me a competitive edge. I enjoyed an upward spiral of success: winning motivated practicing harder, yielding more victories, motivating to practice even harder.
Making new friends each tournament is a priority. Time with friends at every tournament is rewarding and relaxing. I have many more friends than trophies.
I listen to successful people, like Olympic Coach Joe Seay and legend Danny Hodge. Nearly all advice received has been helpful.
I am the product of many coaches, practice partners, teachers and supporters. Thanks to each, I am forever grateful - especially my first coaches Troy Johnson and Ted Anderson, Hononegah coach Marty Kaiser, and Team Illinois coaches.
Injuries and losses knocked me down several times. It is easier to repeat at the top than it is to get there the first time. I found neither to be easy.
NIU wrestling recently honored Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for his contributions as former wrestling coach at nearby Yorkville High School. He told the crowd that every day in Congress he applies lessons he learned from wrestling - the foundation for his success. My championships will not buy me success, but I hope lessons I learned from wrestling will help me daily, like they have for Coach Hastert.
2003 USA Dream Team Head Coach and USA Dream Team Wrestlers Part 1 - Part 2