If you had to list your all time top 10 wrestlers and top 10 coaches ... who would be on your list ? 

How are we defining GOAT? Best single season? Most dominant in weight class? Best wrestler overall, regardless of weight??

Craig Bertelsen, Tom and Todd Cole, anyone with the last name Ervin.

Nate Carr, Robert Ervin, Tj Ruschell, Kyle Ruschell, Harrison Courtney, Saul Ervin, Brock Ervin, Brandon Reed, Sean Fausz, Isaac Knable to name a few. 

I would give my vote to Knable !!

he is still rolling with these  boys and putting out state champions year after year !

invicta wrestling academy has been the best thing that ever happened for Ky wrestling (even though it’s in Indiana) !

Mark Hall, David Carr. Do they count?

Bryce Sheffer. Joe Carr. 

Best Careers:  Dave Ritchey, Joe Carr Jr, Brock Irvin, Harrison Courtney, Issac Knable, Austin Myers 

Most Dominant Season: Dave Barnes 

Best Post-High School Careers: Dominic Black, Dave Barnes, Kyle Ruschell

Jacob Murton was one of the most dominant wrestlers in the state. 3x state champ.  Brother Jairus Murton was a 2x state champ. 

I have always hated these type of questions. It's hard to decide who the GOAT is all time. 

For example just a few names from the 90's

Livingston Merritt  3X state champ 6 time placer. 

Tendi Charasika Extremely dominant during his time. 

Joe Carr Jr. 4X state champ 1X runner up (2nd his Freshman year)

Bruce Stepp one of the most dominant big men 3X SC

Willie Ennels 3X SC 1X runner up. (2nd his Soph year)

Jarod Trice 2X very dominating (I believe he did not wrestle his Sr. year)

Just a few from the past. 

As for coaches I will list those with state championship titles that I believe would be top 10 (I know I listed 11)

Brother Joseph Willhelm

Chuck Anderson

Wayne Badida

Mike Bankemper

Jim Perrin

Jim Ploesser

Rusty Parks

Jim Kraezig

Gary Canter

Jim Matney 

Robert Ervin

I would say with a very honorable mention. 

Kenny Ellenbrad, Phil Coomes, Steve Fiser, Dennis Walls

Travis Sullivan could be up on that list

3 hours ago, grappler-of-old said:

As for coaches I will list those with state championship titles that I believe would be top 10 (I know I listed 11)

Brother Joseph Willhelm

Chuck Anderson

Wayne Badida

Mike Bankemper

Jim Perrin

Jim Ploesser

Rusty Parks

Jim Kraezig

Gary Canter

Jim Matney 

Robert Ervin

I would say with a very honorable mention. 

Kenny Ellenbrad, Phil Coomes, Steve Fiser, Dennis Walls

I am so glad you mentioned Rusty Parks (Woodford County) and Jim Ploesser of Hopkinsville.  They both, like Robert Ervin, took teams out of state and competed against tough out of state competition.  These are men who helped develop Kentucky wrestling.  
 

Thank you for mentioning them.

Zeke Escalera- Fargo champ

Spencer Moore- national team member and youngest D1 starter

Ryan Moore- ranked 2nd in naia

Nate Wheeler- ranked 2nd

Trent Johnson- ranked 3rd 

Spencer Moore starting in D-1 when he should just be a senior in high school!  Dave Barnes had a very dominant senior year then 3 time all American at D-1. Cole Thomas will possibly be a 4X state champion. To many others to name. 

GOO, I understand not liking these sort of debates when people get too emotional and heated about them.  But hopefully everyone keeps this discussion more positive.

I am only focusing on HS years here.  This makes it really hard to compare the old school names, but I also tend to look more at national level competition to determine who I thought were the best guys.  Winning state titles is awesome, but quite often it is way tougher to bring home hardware from Fargo, Super32, or NHSCA than it is to win a state championship.

I have experienced it first hand with my boys trying to compete on the national level and I sort of use their careers as a frame of reference.  Super32 medals are rare in Ky.  Only a few Ky boys have brought one home from NC and Spencer has 2 along with the UWW Cadet National title and World Team.  But he never got the chance to go to Fargo and failed to medal in his only trip to Va Beach.  Ryan medaled 4 times at NHSCAs, once at Fargo, once at UWW Cadets, and twice at Flo.  Couldn't get that Super32 medal though.  All that said I don't know that either is top 10.  I would like to think they are in the conversation, but there have been some really good kids come through the state.

2 that I think set themselves apart from the crowd were:

Nathan Boston - only Steven Micic kept him from being a 4 time state champ, but the thing that stands out for Nathan is the fact that he was #1 in the country.  Not the best in the state, but the best in the country.  Moving to Ky likely kept him from maintaining that spot throughout his HS career as we got absolutely no credit back then.  But he was in the conversation as one of the best at his weight throughout his HS career.

Austin Myers - to me his 4 year run in HS was the best I have seen hands down.  He mowed down the competition.  I don't think Chris would disagree with me that no one in Ky has ever stacked up the awards from those big national events like ATM.  I still remember sitting in the corner coaching him on the big stage in the finals at FloNationals when I thought he killed a kid almost driving him through the stage with a monstrous double leg at 215 pounds.  He was an animal from day 1. 

2 hours ago, Ranger123 said:

GOO, I understand not liking these sort of debates when people get too emotional and heated about them.  But hopefully everyone keeps this discussion more positive.

I am only focusing on HS years here.  This makes it really hard to compare the old school names, but I also tend to look more at national level competition to determine who I thought were the best guys.  Winning state titles is awesome, but quite often it is way tougher to bring home hardware from Fargo, Super32, or NHSCA than it is to win a state championship.

     This is exactly why I don't like these type of questions.  Many of the older guys either did not know about these national tournaments or many of them don't have the means to compete in them.  Many of these older names are 1st generation wrestlers in their family, therefore it was not a top priority to compete nationally or find a way to do so. 

     I do admire those families that sacrifice a ton for their wrestler to compete nationally.  I however don't hold anything against those that didn't or don't.  We all know how hard it is to keep everyone in the family happy both those that compete in wrestling and those that don't.  

     I am sure there are even older names from the 70's and 60's that I am not familiar with that deserve some recognition. This is why I like to take these type of questions and look at decades as to who were the GOAT of their era. 

90s- The Merritts, Bruce Stepp, Tendai Cherasika, Joe Carr, Ian Horn

2000s- Kyle Ruschell, Jacob Murton, Taylor Sherer, Isaac Knable, John Fahy

2010s- Austin Myers, Brock Ervin, Mark Hall, David Carr

I'm sure I left some great ones off, but these guys came to mind quickly.

Harrison Courtney

I think Thomas Deck won 4 straight state championships, the last on a torn ACL.

GOO your points are 100% valid and I agree.  That's why this should be purely a nice discussion of the great accomplishments and abilities of the best of the best and not some authoritative list.  Way too many nuances and difficulties in comparing across time with varying levels of opportunity and different criteria that we all use to judge this type of thing.

With that a few old school names that would make my list regardless of my earlier "national success" criteria:

Jarrod Trice - never saw him wrestle, but if half of the folk lore type stories I heard about this guy are correct he might be the best ever at his peak.  As GOO mentioned he didn't have a full career, but I heard that even after his serious injury in HS, he got back on the mat and was still the baddest dude in the gym

Willie Ennels - imagine high school version of Ed Ruth who was virtually unstoppable when he decided he wanted to score

Jon Wiard - I may be the only person with this guy on the list, but he is like a unicorn that is frozen in my memory from my days on the mat.  Wiard was a long, skinny kid who walked on the mat in that baggy Frankfort singlet looking like he accidentally wandered into the gym from an academic team contest.  But once the whistle blew he was so tough with that deadly cradle 

11 hours ago, Ranger123 said:

GOO, I understand not liking these sort of debates when people get too emotional and heated about them.  But hopefully everyone keeps this discussion more positive.

I am only focusing on HS years here.  This makes it really hard to compare the old school names, but I also tend to look more at national level competition to determine who I thought were the best guys.  Winning state titles is awesome, but quite often it is way tougher to bring home hardware from Fargo, Super32, or NHSCA than it is to win a state championship.

I have experienced it first hand with my boys trying to compete on the national level and I sort of use their careers as a frame of reference.  Super32 medals are rare in Ky.  Only a few Ky boys have brought one home from NC and Spencer has 2 along with the UWW Cadet National title and World Team.  But he never got the chance to go to Fargo and failed to medal in his only trip to Va Beach.  Ryan medaled 4 times at NHSCAs, once at Fargo, once at UWW Cadets, and twice at Flo.  Couldn't get that Super32 medal though.  All that said I don't know that either is top 10.  I would like to think they are in the conversation, but there have been some really good kids come through the state.

2 that I think set themselves apart from the crowd were:

Nathan Boston - only Steven Micic kept him from being a 4 time state champ, but the thing that stands out for Nathan is the fact that he was #1 in the country.  Not the best in the state, but the best in the country.  Moving to Ky likely kept him from maintaining that spot throughout his HS career as we got absolutely no credit back then.  But he was in the conversation as one of the best at his weight throughout his HS career.

Austin Myers - to me his 4 year run in HS was the best I have seen hands down.  He mowed down the competition.  I don't think Chris would disagree with me that no one in Ky has ever stacked up the awards from those big national events like ATM.  I still remember sitting in the corner coaching him on the big stage in the finals at FloNationals when I thought he killed a kid almost driving him through the stage with a monstrous double leg at 215 pounds.  He was an animal from day 1. 

In spite of the WWE type of hype dad cast over him, I would agree…the most dominant both in state and on a national level.

Robbie Clarkston- 4x state champ + a runner-up as an 8th grader.

1 hour ago, Ranger123 said:

Jarrod Trice - never saw him wrestle, but if half of the folk lore type stories I heard about this guy are correct he might be the best ever at his peak.  As GOO mentioned he didn't have a full career, but I heard that even after his serious injury in HS, he got back on the mat and was still the baddest dude in the gym

Jon Wiard - I may be the only person with this guy on the list, but he is like a unicorn that is frozen in my memory from my days on the mat.  Wiard was a long, skinny kid who walked on the mat in that baggy Frankfort singlet looking like he accidentally wandered into the gym from an academic team contest.  But once the whistle blew he was so tough with that deadly cradle 

All I remember about Trice is Coach Plosser yelling moves from the corner and Jarrod doing whatever he told him to do in the finals. 

Jon Wiard was unconventionally good.  Lost in overtime his Jr. year in the finals. Looked like he came right out of the movie "Hoosiers". 

58 minutes ago, MLee said:

Robbie Clarkston- 4x state champ + a runner-up as an 8th grader.

I need to hear some Paul Bunyan stories about Clarkston.  Given what he accomplished I have heard virtually nothing about him.  Where are the old time Conner guys to tell us some stories about a little 8th grader competing in that room that had plenty of hammers?

I would also like to add some honorable mentions: lampe brothers, JJ Jude, Bobby Bryant , Zane brown

knable is one of the few who should be on both top 10 coaches/wrestlers 

1 minute ago, WhiteTiger95 said:

I would also like to add some honorable mentions: lampe brothers, JJ Jude, Bobby Bryant , Zane brown

 

knable is one of the few who should be on both top 10 coaches/wrestlers 

Jude may have "only" been a 2x champ, but he made the semifinals the 3 previous seasons as an 8th (130), 9th (145), and 10th (160) grader, placing 4th, 3rd, 3rd, before winning two titles. 

Im not going to base my answer off of titles, but more so my opinion since a lot of the best guys will have matching number of titles. This is all based on their time in HS. I do think I would personally be on the list but will pick my top 10 without me.

Brock Ervin -He has the titles and got robbed at Ironman with a headgear pull. Was at a traditionally tough weight class and could compete with best in country

Austin Meyers -Probably the most dominate out of Kentucky ever and won a Flo title to match his VA beach medals. Kentucky being weaker up top keeps him under Brock IMO.

Isaac Knable -I wasn't around when he was wrestling, but stories speak for themselves. Fantastic coach as well. (Go buy a FootWork Trainer if you havent yet!)

Spencer Moore -World team member, starting at a D1 program when he should be picking out his afro on the way to high school prom. Ranked top 10 in country.

Jojo Carr -He has the titles. He beat some of the best guys in the country and did well at the biggest HS tournaments out there. He also beat me up everyday.

John Fahy -He has the titles, was arguably one of the strongest P4P guys i've ever wrestled, and could compete with some of the best in the country. 

Sean Fausz -He dominated a VERY good Kyle Lawson in the finals his senior year. His Freestyle success and depth at his weight is why he is on my list. 

Trae Blackwell -I feel he gets left off these lists a lot due to his loss to David his senior year. People seem to forget how that match went down and how amazing Davids career has been since. Trae was ranked in country and great career. (Taking nothing away from David)

For the last 2 I will group in a couple of guys. Mark Hall and David Carr. I dont want to give them their own lines as they both were one and done. It is hard for me to count anyone that didn't wrestle at least half their  HS career in KY. Mark Hall and David were both Ranked 1st in country in HS. Shout out to Myron by the way! 

It is hard for me to look at anything older than what I did due to my age. With that being said I do not think there is anyone that is unarguably better than the guys in this list. 

These are two other guys that I feel may be able to slot in here. Can't remember if Sheffer was ranked in country or not to pass Blackwell. Little is a top 10 in the country guy, length of resume hold him back a little. 

Stephan Little

Bryce Sheffer

Stephen Little. Runner up as a freshman to Zane Brown @ 160lbs. 2x state champ going for his third. Won many USAW preseason nationals so far out in Iowa (if I remember correctly). Ironman Placer (5th) losing two different overtime matches to top 10 nationally ranked guys. Beat Indiana state champ who is nationally ranked this year, where the Mater Dei kid pinned his way thru a state title. His resume is stout. 

3 minutes ago, ukpridewrestler11 said:

Stephen Little. Runner up as a freshman to Zane Brown @ 160lbs. 2x state champ going for his third. Won many USAW preseason nationals so far out in Iowa (if I remember correctly). Ironman Placer (5th) losing two different overtime matches to top 10 nationally ranked guys. Beat Indiana state champ who is nationally ranked this year, where the Mater Dei kid pinned his way thru a state title. His resume is stout. 

I'll take that Ironman run over all the USAW preseason titles.  Little showed he was right there and good enough to win that tournament.

I can admit when I am wrong UKPride. The USAW Pre-Season doesn't really do It for me as It isn't typically loaded with Nationally ranked guys.  With that being said his Iron man run was impressive and he clearly is up there with the best to do It. Going off just senior years alone I would say he is easy top 8 all time just due to national ranking. 

Want to make this topic really interesting, list your GOAT per weight class. Would need Ranger to set the weight classes. 

103/106 Travis Sullivan (Wayne Co) 4 year state qualifier at 103 2X (9th, 10th) 11th 112 Champ 12th 112 runner up. 

215/220 Austin Myers 4X undefeated state champ. 

Those are the easy ones. 

I'll Throw the 1st one up for HWT. 

Dion Washington (Woodford) 4X state placer at HWT 9th 5th 3X state runner up (10th, 11th, 12th)

1 hour ago, MLee said:

Want to make this topic really interesting, list your GOAT per weight class. Would need Ranger to set the weight classes. 

Oh that’s easy. Best weight class set ever:

103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 285

Then because I like the little guys I am adding 98lbs

98- Jeff Everman

103-Joe Carr JR.

112-David Ritchie

119-Kyle Ruschell

125-John Fahy

130-Brock Irvin

135-Dave Barnes

140-Issac Knable

145-Jerod Trice

152-Willie Ennels

160-Harrison Courtney 

171-Tendai Charasika

189-Miguel Merritt

215-Austin Meyers

HWT-Bruce Stepp

That was a lot harder than I thought. I probably gave the old heads way too much credit. Reality is, new generation would open a can on those 80’s and 90’s guys.

1 hour ago, MLee said:

That was a lot harder than I thought. I probably gave the old heads way too much credit. Reality is, new generation would open a can on those 80’s and 90’s guys.

Dang MLee you can’t end the discussion that quickly by immediately giving the best answer. You hit a home run with that lineup. But I will sugges one adjustment. Since Kyle never weighed 119 in high school I’m dropping him to 112. I literally saw him step on the scale his senior year at the Dragon less than 113 pounds and stil wrecked that bracket. Then you slide Boston in at 119. 

1 hour ago, MLee said:

98- Jeff Everman

103-Joe Carr JR.

112-David Ritchie

119-Kyle Ruschell

125-John Fahy

130-Brock Irvin

135-Dave Barnes

140-Issac Knable

145-Jerod Trice

152-Willie Ennels

160-Harrison Courtney 

171-Tendai Charasika

189-Miguel Merritt

215-Austin Meyers

HWT-Bruce Stepp

 

What’s the story on Everman? 

19 minutes ago, DrBaker said:

What’s the story on Everman? 

He was an absolute monster. He pinned the defending state champion (David Donnelly) in the state finals in the 1st period (I believe) as a Sophomore. The next year, he pinned a young man by the name of Pat Martz in 17 seconds at Districts. Missed weight at Regionals and never wrestled again. Martz went on to win his 1st of 3 state championships that year.

22 minutes ago, Ranger123 said:

Dang MLee you can’t end the discussion that quickly by immediately giving the best answer. You hit a home run with that lineup. But I will sugges one adjustment. Since Kyle never weighed 119 in high school I’m dropping him to 112. I literally saw him step on the scale his senior year at the Dragon less than 113 pounds and stil wrecked that bracket. Then you slide Boston in at 119. 

Boston should be in there somewhere. I wanted Brad Cooper as well, but already had 2 Pioneers. Almost put Storms at 103 just to watch your head explode. 
I never seen Ritchie wrestle, but heard he was in a class of his own. 

13 minutes ago, MLee said:

Boston should be in there somewhere. I wanted Brad Cooper as well, but already had 2 Pioneers. Almost put Storms at 103 just to watch your head explode. 
I never seen Ritchie wrestle, but heard he was in a class of his own. 

Ha ha. Yeah that might have triggered some ptsd. But can’t say much he beat me at SKIT then I missed weight. So he has the hardware and all I got were the mental scars. 

1 hour ago, MLee said:

He was an absolute monster. He pinned the defending state champion (David Donnelly) in the state finals in the 1st period (I believe) as a Sophomore. The next year, he pinned a young man by the name of Pat Martz in 17 seconds at Districts. Missed weight at Regionals and never wrestled again. Martz went on to win his 1st of 3 state championships that year.

 

 

 

Funny you write this. I remember the baddest guy in my class being Mike Lee. The Lee twins were scary. 

I always heard the Cole boys from Conner were some bad men.  Statistically who was the best? 

Todd Cole 4X state qualifier 2nd Jr year 1st Sr year

Tom Cole State champ Senior year

Troy Cole 5X state qualifier 2nd 8th Grade 4th Fr. 1st Soph, and Jr. year (MVW) 2nd Sr. year.

I would say statistically Troy, but I think the other two would want to get on the mat and decide it with a royal rumble with little brother. 

44 minutes ago, grappler-of-old said:

Todd Cole 4X state qualifier 2nd Jr year 1st Sr year

Tom Cole State champ Senior year

Troy Cole 5X state qualifier 2nd 8th Grade 4th Fr. 1st Soph, and Jr. year (MVW) 2nd Sr. year.

I would say statistically Troy, but I think the other two would want to get on the mat and decide it with a royal rumble with little brother. 

I agree, I bet they would scrap it out for bragging rights.  

OK here goes.  I took one from Ranger and made a spread sheet. Still not satisfied but.... 

98-Charles Dunlap (Manual)------------------------Backup Jeff Everman (SK)

103- Travis Sullivan (Wayne)---------------------Backup Jason Talbott (Old) and Kyle Ruschell (Ryle)

112- Bryce Schaffer (Union)

119- David Ritchie (Cald)-----------------------Backup Garth Yenter (Camp)

125- Brock Ervin (Union)--------------------------Backup Jacob Murton (Lawrence)

130 Isaac Knable (StX)-------------------------Backup Sean Fausz (Camp)

135 Brad Cooper (SK)-------------------------Backup David Barnes (SK)(Let these two battle it in the SK wrestling room)

140 John Fahy(Trin)

145- Joe Carr (Wood)-------------------------------Backup Ian Horn (Wood)(Let these two battle again in the Wood. wrestling room)

152 Jarrod Trice (Hop)---------------------------Backup Willie Ennels (Hop)(Let the hop-town legends battle it out)

160 Harrison Courtney (Wood)-----------------Backup Curt Zinga (Camp)

171 Tendai Charasika (StX)

189 Miguel Merritt (Hop)------------------------Backup David Moore (HenCl)

215 Austin Myers (Camp)--------------------------Backup Tyler Schearer (SO)(Would have loved to see these to go at it just to see....)

Hwt- Bruce Stepp (Sh Cl)--------------------------Backup Dion Washington (Wood)(might as well let him keep him the bridesmaid)

Wrestling Consultants  James Earl Hardin (KSB) (1st 4X state champ in the 60's) Robbie Clarkston (Con)(just couldn't find a spot for him)

Yes I know I cheated a little bit. LOL

 to be considered. 
98- Jayden Raney. 
215- Livingston Merritt 

I tried to keep it from pre-2020

Livingston was on my list but just could not squeeze him in.  If I did this again next week I may have a different look.  

Does anyone know or have a list of the wrestlers/ coaches in the khsaa hall of fame ? 

13 hours ago, CUTiger184 said:

I agree, I bet they would scrap it out for bragging rights.  

They still fight over who could (can) beat who. Troy always pulls the MVW card. Someone told me that they saw Todd throw Randall Lews around like a rag doll a couple years after high school, while he was at UK. I don't know if that's fact or fiction, but beating a gold medalist is quite impressive. 

That '83 team is the benchmark at Conner. They have a reputation as not just a great team, but one that went out to make sure you knew you were in a dogfight. Win or lose, they made their presence known.

This bring up another debate as to the GOATS of teams. Any suggestions? 

46 minutes ago, Tbagnky said:

That '83 team is the benchmark at Conner. They have a reputation as not just a great team, but one that went out to make sure you knew you were in a dogfight. Win or lose, they made their presence known.

That is nothing short of the truth.  I know first hand fighting against them all year.  Was a dog fight that year in NKY.  Simon won the Conference tourney Campbell second Conner 3rd

Conner won District Campbell 2nd Simon 3rd. Campbell won region Conner 2nd Simon 3rd. Conner won state 4 points over Campbell 2nd. 

With all that said they were a great set of guys off the mat.  

Surprised nobody has mentioned John Wolsiefer yet 

9 hours ago, 385 said:

Surprised nobody has mentioned John Wolsiefer yet 

Oh my yeah. Total machine on the mat. I have a Paul Bunyan story about him. 
 

Before I got into coaching I spent one year as an official. Mark Hitchings called me to come over and officiate a dual meet for his Fern Creek MS team that was the gold standard at that time. They were wrestling a tough IN team. After a few matches of light kids Coach Hitchings informed me that he had a really tough kid who was going to wrestle a few weights and matches in a row. That kid was Wolsiefer. This bad little dude proceeded to murder like 7 kids in a row each one a little bigger. His HS career didn’t finish the way anyone wanted, but at his peak he was one of the most dominant 152/160 range kids I’ve seen. 

6 hours ago, Ranger123 said:

Oh my yeah. Total machine on the mat. I have a Paul Bunyan story about him. 
 

Before I got into coaching I spent one year as an official. Mark Hitchings called me to come over and officiate a dual meet for his Fern Creek MS team that was the gold standard at that time. They were wrestling a tough IN team. After a few matches of light kids Coach Hitchings informed me that he had a really tough kid who was going to wrestle a few weights and matches in a row. That kid was Wolsiefer. This bad little dude proceeded to murder like 7 kids in a row each one a little bigger. His HS career didn’t finish the way anyone wanted, but at his peak he was one of the most dominant 152/160 range kids I’ve seen. 

That’s insane. He was absolutely a machine to watch and one of the first people to make me love wrestling as is he is just a bit older than me. So many studs on those old fern creek youth teams

IMO, Scott Cooper never gets the credit he deserves in these discussions.

Freshman Year - 2000 - 3rd place - 125

Sophomore Year - 2001 - 2nd place - 130

Junior Year - 2002 - 1st place - 140

Senior year - 2003 - 1st place - 140-  beat 2x State Champ Luke Metzker in the finals.

Time to add Cole Thomas to this discussion. 4x state champion, MOW as Senior. Never lost to a wrestler in KY all 4 years. Every finals opponent either was or went on to win a state championship. 

8 hours ago, DamonMBarnes said:

IMO, Scott Cooper never gets the credit he deserves in these discussions.

Freshman Year - 2000 - 3rd place - 125

Sophomore Year - 2001 - 2nd place - 130

Junior Year - 2002 - 1st place - 140

Senior year - 2003 - 1st place - 140-  beat 2x State Champ Luke Metzker in the finals.

 

IMO Cooper v Metzger was quite possibly the best state finals match I have seen

Totally agree!!! Metzger dominated that tournament. Almost!!!

31 minutes ago, Ranger123 said:

IMO Cooper v Metzger was quite possibly the best state finals match I have seen

Agreed.  It's the best I ever saw.  Metzger had beaten him earlier in the year to if I remember correctly.

53 minutes ago, DamonMBarnes said:

Agreed.  It's the best I ever saw.  Metzger had beaten him earlier in the year to if I remember correctly.

Anyone happen to have the video Of that match anywhere?  Would love to watch

1 hour ago, bestmistake33 said:

Anyone happen to have the video Of that match anywhere?  Would love to watch

Video definitely exists. From some things I heard this weekend I believe we may be in a position to have access to lots of great historical content in the future. Check out Alex Green on Facebook or YouTube. He just started a state championship review series that sounds absolutely amazing. 

1 hour ago, Ranger123 said:

Video definitely exists. From some things I heard this weekend I believe we may be in a position to have access to lots of great historical content in the future. Check out Alex Green on Facebook or YouTube. He just started a state championship review series that sounds absolutely amazing. 

I totally can I 100% think you all are missing out if you haven't watched Alex Green's video series. I have heard numerous stories about some of the guys he's covered. But seeing them under the lights changes my opinions.

The Merritt video under the lights is chilling with the Dungeon atmosphere. 

On 2/27/2022 at 12:01 PM, MLee said:

Time to add Cole Thomas to this discussion. 4x state champion, MOW as Senior. Never lost to a wrestler in KY all 4 years. Every finals opponent either was or went on to win a state championship. 

Was in a discussion over the weekend. What other 4 X'ers went undefeated in KY? I know ATM never lost. Did anyone from KY beat Brock, Fahy, Courtney, Knable, Clarkston, or Harden? I don't think anyone touched Brock or Knable, but not 100%. Did Courtney ever lose from 9th-12th? No clue on Clarkston or Harden.

7 minutes ago, MLee said:

Was in a discussion over the weekend. What other 4 X'ers went undefeated in KY? I know ATM never lost. Did anyone from KY beat Brock, Fahy, Courtney, Knable, Clarkston, or Harden? I don't think anyone touched Brock or Knable, but not 100%. Did Courtney ever lose from 9th-12th? No clue on Clarkston or Harden.

To my understanding Knable never lost a match to a KY wrestler. Fahy apparently never gave up an offensive point to anyone from KY

On 2/23/2022 at 7:02 PM, MLee said:

98- Jeff Everman

103-Joe Carr JR.

112-David Ritchie

119-Kyle Ruschell

125-John Fahy

130-Brock Irvin

135-Dave Barnes

140-Issac Knable

145-Jerod Trice

152-Willie Ennels

160-Harrison Courtney 

171-Tendai Charasika

189-Miguel Merritt

215-Austin Meyers

HWT-Bruce Stepp

 

**Update**
125- Cole Thomas

135- John Fahy

Sorry Barnes...

31 minutes ago, MLee said:

**Update**
125- Cole Thomas

135- John Fahy

Sorry Barnes...

Great list. Although, Dave should get some extra credit for rocking that sweet stache his senior year. 

19 hours ago, MLee said:

Was in a discussion over the weekend. What other 4 X'ers went undefeated in KY? I know ATM never lost. Did anyone from KY beat Brock, Fahy, Courtney, Knable, Clarkston, or Harden? I don't think anyone touched Brock or Knable, but not 100%. Did Courtney ever lose from 9th-12th? No clue on Clarkston or Harden.

Does anyone have the list and years of the 4x State Champions in order? I had the pleasure of standing there listening to Mike Bandcamper and John Roth, on the state floor, trying to count them and recall the years that it occurred. Mike and John counted 7,including Cole Thomas. I thought I had heard 9 somewhere. What I do know is that Bryce Sheffer was an inspiration for Cole Thomas his whole middle school and high school career. Bryce certainly set the bar at a level that few will ever obtain. What a great legacy he has left this wrestling community with. I am excited for Cole Thomas to be mentioned among names like Carr, Knable, Fahy, Meyers and Clarkston in the record books.  It’s been an incredible journey for sure he has blessed our family with. 

1 hour ago, gameface said:

Does anyone have the list and years of the 4x State Champions in order? I had the pleasure of standing there listening to Mike Bandcamper and John Roth, on the state floor, trying to count them and recall the years that it occurred. Mike and John counted 7,including Cole Thomas. I thought I had heard 9 somewhere. What I do know is that Bryce Sheffer was an inspiration for Cole Thomas his whole middle school and high school career. Bryce certainly set the bar at a level that few will ever obtain. What a great legacy he has left this wrestling community with. I am excited for Cole Thomas to be mentioned among names like Carr, Knable, Fahy, Meyers and Pinkston in the record books.  It’s been an incredible journey for sure he has blessed our family with. 

I’d have to look up the years, but the ones I know of are:

James Earl Hardin

Robbie Clarkston

Joe Carr 

Isaac Knable

Harrison Courtney

John Fahy 

Brock Ervin

Austin Myers

Bryce Scheffer

Cole Thomas

1 hour ago, gameface said:

Does anyone have the list and years of the 4x State Champions in order? I had the pleasure of standing there listening to Mike Bandcamper and John Roth, on the state floor, trying to count them and recall the years that it occurred. Mike and John counted 7,including Cole Thomas. I thought I had heard 9 somewhere. What I do know is that Bryce Sheffer was an inspiration for Cole Thomas his whole middle school and high school career. Bryce certainly set the bar at a level that few will ever obtain. What a great legacy he has left this wrestling community with. I am excited for Cole Thomas to be mentioned among names like Carr, Knable, Fahy, Meyers and Pinkston in the record books.  It’s been an incredible journey for sure he has blessed our family with. 

Man, what an oversight on my part. How did I forget about him. I remember watching Sheffer rip through a tough Rumble bracket like hot butter one year. I believe he beat an undefeated kid from Elder in the finals. He was so poised and technical on his feet. Very fun to watch. I believe Cole was my towel boy that day! 

On 2/27/2022 at 1:05 AM, Ranger123 said:

Oh my yeah. Total machine on the mat. I have a Paul Bunyan story about him. 
 

Before I got into coaching I spent one year as an official. Mark Hitchings called me to come over and officiate a dual meet for his Fern Creek MS team that was the gold standard at that time. They were wrestling a tough IN team. After a few matches of light kids Coach Hitchings informed me that he had a really tough kid who was going to wrestle a few weights and matches in a row. That kid was Wolsiefer. This bad little dude proceeded to murder like 7 kids in a row each one a little bigger. His HS career didn’t finish the way anyone wanted, but at his peak he was one of the most dominant 152/160 range kids I’ve seen. 

John Wolsiefer was as tough as they come.  I almost talked him into coming out of retirement to join me at Campbellsville.  He would have been a multiple time AA for sure.  

The KYWCA has approved a KYWCA Wrestler HOF.  All of this information will be helpful in inducting the first class.  We still have a few criteria to line out but I think this will be a cool way to honor the guys of the past for sure.