We've done it before, but I'd be intrested to see a long running on the best high school wrestler from Kentucky and why.

Livingston Merritt was a beast.  Also i must give a vote to Jerod Trice.  Probably the best to ever come through WKY if not the state.

JoJo.  Hands down.

I pretty much have to agree with Olymipic about Joe.  He did what he did in KY, but was also a Junior National (Fargo) runner up and a Senior Nationals runner up.  He placed in Cadets as well, maybe a few times.  Although he did not All-American in college, he was a 4x qualifier for NCAA's and ran into some tough seeds.

As far as someone not mentioned but who had a great career, Dominic Black started late but had some awesome accomplishments after high school.  He was a state champ in '87 (I think), then went on to wrestle in college at West Virginia where he was a 3x national qualifier and took 4th.  He also competed in freestyle after that, eventually wrestling for the Army, and had some considerable success at that level.

Dominic black

I think the problem with these questions is what is the criteria?  High school only, include college, include international (for Dominic Black, are there any others that did well on the international circuit?).  Is it the best stats or who would win if everyone met at a decided weight?  Is there any other criteria that hasn't been mentioned?

By the way I think you have to include Dave Barnes, the old Ryle and current Cooper head coach.  I'm not sure how he did at KY states but I believe he is the only KY wrestler to make it on the podium in Div I except for Black.  Can anyone confirm or disprove this?  Also Starks was a 4x finalist, sorry had to mention since it's being included in the stats; Brad Cooper, 3x champ, 4x finalist, NAIA All-American; Murton was also a NAIA All-American; Chris Dunn, 3x champ and a 3rd place; Horn was a 5x placer; Jeff Fitch was a 3x champ but I don't know how he did his other year, presumably as a freshman since he won it three consecutive years; Luke Metzger, 2x champ, 3x finalist and a 3rd (bad call as a senior in the finals).

I'm not going to include Courtney in my pick because he hasn't finished high school and I would feel like I jinxed him if he lost, however if he continues on this pace he will boast the best stats.  Black has done the best in college with a 4th place but I think Ruschell and/or Starks will surpass him.  I see Ruschell placing this year and a contender for a 2nd place behind Metcalf next year.  I also think Starks will place next year at least, if not this year.  Black also made a World Team or two and was a World Cup champion (kind of like state duals but they have individual awards as well) so I think he had the best international career since I don't think anybody else has made any kind of World level team.  Joe Joe definitely had some crappy draws at the national tournament with TJ Williams twice in the first round.  However the argument could be made that had he had a better regular season he would have been seeded, but who knows.

As far as a "round robin" between all at a said weight when would this occur?  I presume when they were all high school seniors which takes Jarod Trice out of the discussion even though it obviously wasn't his fault.  When they were all seniors I'd have to take Joe Jr (even if Trice was included).  Like moody already stated he was in the finals of Junior Nationals (freestyle) and Senior Nationals (folkstyle).  Also if you have ever wrestled him you can appreciate the insane speed, surprising strength, and not only his unbelievable technique but his ability to break the moves down and teach them to anybody.

Burke from Danville only won state once

Burke from Danville only won state once

I was wondering about that one too.  I had to go with Joe Carr Jr on this one, with an asterisk.  If Jerod Trice's career had not ended so soon, I think this might have been different.  He was awesome as a 9th & 10th grader and could have done big things beyond that.

I think the problem with these questions is what is the criteria?  High school only, include college, include international (for Dominic Black, are there any others that did well on the international circuit?).  Is it the best stats or who would win if everyone met at a decided weight?  Is there any other criteria that hasn't been mentioned?

good points.  i based my decision solely on high school, and at what I thought was their peak.  i think it is obviously great to be a 4xer or 3xer or whatever.  but if you are talking about a "best pound for pound all time" i would only consider their best season.  it's not always their senior year due to injuries, motivation, etc. 

By the way I think you have to include Dave Barnes, the old Ryle and current Cooper head coach.  I'm not sure how he did at KY states but I believe he is the only KY wrestler to make it on the podium in Div I except for Black.  Can anyone confirm or disprove this? 

I would agree, Dave should be included for his senior year he was untouchable.  I don't know his name, but Dave told me there was a total of 3 D1 AA's from Ky, him, Black, and some other guy i think that wrestled for Iowa...or like Iowa Northern.  Something like that, but there were 3.

You may be talking about Dave Grant from Tates Creek.

He wrestled in college somewhere previous to Northern Iowa, but

transferred there and was an AA I'm pretty sure.

He is currently the Head Wrestling Coach at Northern Illinois.

Good start.

Does anyone know anything about James Earl Hardin?

I would have to sit and look at this long and hard.  However, a few that would come to mind would be Tendai of the later generation. 

Old school:  Barker 3x SC from Newport in the 70's,  the Coles-Todd, Tom and Troy, Irvins-, Pearson-FC, Storms-SK, Ennels, Migliaccio-TC Cybill of TC Tom and Andy Lee of Christian Co.  Old man Shotwell was a handful back in his day. Martz-,

Only 4 DI All Americans to come out of KY-

Lee Fitch Woodford Co.  77ish I believe  AA @ Indiana U.

Dave Grant- TC, AA from Northern Iowa, assistant at Minn. and currently Head at N.Ill Univ

Dominic Black-HC, 91 AA from WV, impressive International career

Dave Barnes SK, 92 AA from Miami U., former Ryle coach, currently at Cooper

This poll is flawed, and any one that asks the same question this one asks will be. The problem is what are we going by? If youre going by high school records and accomplishments, then you have to vote for Travis Sullivan. You just can't make an argument against National Win Record and National Record for Consecutive Wins. You just cant. If youre going by what the wrestler goes on to do after college, then I would have to say the vote goes to one of the four listed All Americans. If youre going by how much the wrestlers dominated their opponents, then i would have to say Joe Carr Jr or Harrison Courtney, eventually giving the edge to Joe. There are just so many good wrestlers their its really hard to say...

I voted for Joe Carr Jr.

I wrestled for Hoptown ,so i'll always be bias towards Fatman, Willie E., Jerod Trice, & Miguel Merritt.  But you got to respect what Joe Carr did and how he did it.  I will say that Tinsley had him flat as a credit card in 1996, but thats another story for another day.  Also even though i've heard so many bad rumors about Chris Dunn, he beat 2 of the greats in Sean Smith & Grady Peterson his freshman year. And if it wasnt for one hell of a stacked 119 that year, Dunn would have 4 titles.

JoJo.  Hands down.

JoJo no question

Carr.

I find it funny no one really votes for Murton. He dominated everyone with maybe two guys that could hang with him for 3 periods his senior year. I think though that since he transfered here that people may not consider him a legit KY wrestler. How does everyone feel about this? Is he one of Ky's best even though he's really an Ohio boy (i think)?

I find it funny no one really votes for Murton. He dominated everyone with maybe two guys that could hang with him for 3 periods his senior year. I think though that since he transfered here that people may not consider him a legit KY wrestler. How does everyone feel about this? Is he one of Ky's best even though he's really an Ohio boy (i think)?

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he's really not doing much now. I think I heard he's hurt? So far, I believe he's a 1x NAIA AA. I think a lot were also disappointed that he didn't end up at a D1 school.

I am a huge fan of Harrison, but I think if you're going to do this list you should have only guys that have finished their high school career. I doubt very seriously that something like this would go to Harrison's head, but let him get out of school before you try to quantify his ability.

HOW ABOUT JJ JHONSON 4X NCAA CHAMP IN THE 70S

Miguel Merritt  I have never seen any one just destroy everyone the way this young man did absolute animal. So much stronger than anyone would believe and so very quick. I think if he would have wanted to he would have wrestled D1 and done very well. He was hands down the best I have ever saw on the High School level. No disrespect intended to all the other great one's on this list. I think you have to throw Murton in the mix he was great I think without the injuries he would be doing much better in college.

I think we really need to define the criteria for which we are basing our votes.  Just high school?  plus college?  international success? We need to set some guidelines...

Since Miguel played football at Alabama, and Ian Horn played soccer. I dont look at what all these out standing wrestlers did after high school as much as others.  The question is Pound for Pound Kentucky wrestler.  So I tend to look more at what they did in high school more than after.  And yes Miguel was a man amoung boys.  I never wondered if he was gonna win a match, I wondered if he was gonna hurt the other kid during the match.

I think we really need to define the criteria for which we are basing our votes.  Just high school?  plus college?  international success? We need to set some guidelines...

Why?

Why not just say who you think and why?  It's really not a hard question.

Why?

Why not just say who you think and why?  It's really not a hard question.

I agree...

I think sullivan isnt high on the poll because he didnt wrestle ANYBODY his freshman and sophmore year. his toughest match freshman year was Aaron Carr, and we all remember how long that match lasted (whistle , throw, stuck), sophmore year Shane Parks in the semis, which was a stall fest on both side. You have to wrestle the very best to b considered the best.

My vote went to JOJO of course, he dominated the good wrestlers, he was great. If i hadn't gone w/ jojo it would be harrison because i mean come on. if not Harrison than Richard Starks or Kyle Ruschell because of here success in college now.

Pop quiz  .... who did Carr wrestle at state his senior year in the final..... Everyone was running from him that year, and he really breezed through it all..              answer: Todd Paterson... Give me a break man!

Corrected, it was Jeff (not Lee) Fitch of Woodford was the 1st KY DI AA.

WHo was JJ Johnson? 

If were going purely on high school career, then all votes have to go to Travis Sullivan. Regardless of how he did it.

If were going purely on high school career, then all votes have to go to Travis Sullivan. Regardless of how he did it.

I think the thread is to discuss everyone's opinion on who was the greatest pound for pound.  If we just wanted to base it on stats....it would be a pretty short thread..and you are right.  Travis Sullivan.  But honestly, in his prime do you think he would beat Joe Carr Jr pound for pound?  Maybe you do, a lot of people would disagree.  Quit being a wet blanket. 

another good topic would be just to make a dream team from 103 - 285..  cant put the same name twice, the best wrestler at each weight class... gathering mine now

I think the thread is to discuss everyone's opinion on who was the greatest pound for pound.  If we just wanted to base it on stats....it would be a pretty short thread..and you are right.  Travis Sullivan.  But honestly, in his prime do you think he would beat Joe Carr Jr pound for pound?  Maybe you do, a lot of people would disagree.  Quit being a wet blanket. 

lol absolutely not! Joe Carr Jr. would have absolutely destroyed Travis! And im sure he still will/would today!

another good topic would be just to make a dream team from 103 - 285..  cant put the same name twice, the best wrestler at each weight class... gathering mine now

Hey userdaddy, this has been done.  See this thread:

http://www.kentuckywrestling.com/smf/index.php?topic=3107.0

I'm tryin to make one up, but I keep arguing with myself about a few of them.  And as much as i dislike Woodford, i'm putting way to many of them on this list ....  :|   

I dont see many Jeremy Rhodes on those list.  He has to be on mine at 125

I'm tryin to make one up, but I keep arguing with myself about a few of them.  And as much as i dislike Woodford, i'm putting way to many of them on this list ....  :|   

same here...but they have won how many state championships?  they have had some studs. 

Have to disagree with whoever puts Dean Williams on that list...Sorry

Troy Cole, 6 time state placer, 4 time state finalist, 2 time state champ, 1 time MOW. Pinned his way through the state tournament his sophomore year and pinned in the finals his junior year.  His senior year right before the state tournament, he decided to go up to 155 to help our team try to win a state championship. He gambled a for sure 3rd state title at 145 to wrestle the 155 lbs returning champ.

As an 8th grader, he had to forfeit the state championship match due to severe back sprain. He had beat the champ that year, I believe twice, but for sure, once. He had never lost to the champion that year.  Troy was poised to be Kentucky's first 8th grade state champion before his forfeit.

I the state finals his sophomore year, the kid he was wrestling took 3 or 4 injury time outs because Troy was so punishing and domineering. Eventually, the kid refused to finished the match. I believe Troy was beating him by nearly 20 points before the kid said he quit.

I think it was Troy's sophomore state championship match which caused the entire country to adopt the 15 point tech rule. Seriously!

Troy Cole, 6 time state placer, 4 time state finalist, 2 time state champ, 1 time MOW. Pinned his way through the state tournament his sophomore year and pinned in the finals his junior year.  His senior year right before the state tournament, he decided to go up to 155 to help our team try to win a state championship. He gambled a for sure 3rd state title at 145 to wrestle the 155 lbs returning champ.

As an 8th grader, he had to forfeit the state championship match due to severe back sprain. He had beat the champ that year, I believe twice, but for sure, once. He had never lost to the champion that year.  Troy was poised to be Kentucky's first 8th grade state champion before his forfeit.

I the state finals his sophomore year, the kid he was wrestling took 3 or 4 injury time outs because Troy was so punishing and domineering. Eventually, the kid refused to finished the match. I believe Troy was beating him by nearly 20 points before the kid said he quit.

I think it was Troy's sophomore state championship match which caused the entire country to adopt the 15 point tech rule. Seriously!

Thats a very impressive resume'... especially the part about him causing the tech fall rule!

Thats a very impressive resume'... especially the part about him causing the tech fall rule!

OK, the tech fall rule was a joke, but our junior and senior year, many kids forfeited to Troy Cole because they remembered what he did to the kid in the finals. Troy was not a dirty wrestler, he was just unbelievably physical. He may have simply been a product from years of being beat up by his older brother Todd. Everyone knows Todd, the hardcore ref who gets up into your face and then yells and spits in your face if you are stalling on his wrestling mat.

True story; I grew up next door to the Coles. Once, Troy ticked off Todd and Todd literally threw him through his bedroom window/glass out into the yard. Troy landed flat on his back after falling from the "2nd floor". There was a reason all 3 Cole brothers were state champs, Troy clearly being the best.

Troy should be on the list of top wrestlers.

If he went up to 155 to try and help his team win a state title it wasn't a very smart move. They weren't even close to first place Hoptown or 2nd place Union county. He should have stayed at 145. You can talk about Troy beating up on everyone and pinning them but you don't talk about him getting pinned in the State Finals his senior year. The first half of that match was close i believe the score was 10-9 Eddie Pearsons ( Hoptown ) before Eddie ran a armbar wing over then figure four-ed his head. Troy tapped the mat with his hand but back then there was no tapping out and he wasn't getting out he was pinned.

Kind of ironic that you talk about the pain he inflicted on other people and he got it right back in his final match. I will say this he was a good sport he got up shook Eddie's hand and took the loss like a champion. He was a good sport!!!

If he went up to 155 to try and help his team win a state title it wasn't a very smart move.

Hindsight is always 20-20.  He had already won 2 back to back state individual titles practically unchallenged.  He wanted the team to win 1 more.  Smart?  Idk, probably not looking back.  But that's the kind of team mate I would want.  He's a legend in N. Ky for doing just this. 

They weren't even close to first place Hoptown or 2nd place Union county.  He should have stayed at 145.

Again, hindsight.  I'm sure if he knew before state the team wasn't going to win...he would have went to 145.

You can talk about Troy beating up on everyone and pinning them but you don't talk about him getting pinned in the State Finals his senior year.

Not making excuses for him, no doubt he got pinned by a better wrestler at that weight.  But it is well known in N. Ky that Troy bumped up for the team and could have made 145 very easily.  He bumped up for the team and underestimated a great wrestler from Hoptown.  He was still a great wrestler. 

If he went up to 155 to try and help his team win a state title it wasn't a very smart move. They weren't even close to first place Hoptown or 2nd place Union county. He should have stayed at 145. You can talk about Troy beating up on everyone and pinning them but you don't talk about him getting pinned in the State Finals his senior year. The first half of that match was close i believe the score was 10-9 Eddie Pearsons ( Hoptown ) before Eddie ran a armbar wing over then figure four-ed his head. Troy tapped the mat with his hand but back then there was no tapping out and he wasn't getting out he was pinned.

Kind of ironic that you talk about the pain he inflicted on other people and he got it right back in his final match. I will say this he was a good sport he got up shook Eddie's hand and took the loss like a champion. He was a good sport!!!

Dagger, put down your crack pipe and step away from the computer. If you believe Troy "tapped out" you have an abnormality with mental processing.

Eddie Pearsons went undefeated his junior and senior year. Troy was tired of having no competition. Our team in 1985 was very good. We had 2 returning state champions and 2 junior wrestlers picked to win state in 1985. The 2 juniors choked down state. Interestingly, both juniors, Richie Parker and Rob Madden won state the following year. Our team was competitive however history would prove we were no match for a very good Hoptown team. Remember, this is before the internet and given Hoptown was in western Ky and us in Northern Ky, we didn't know the full strength of their team.

Troy still has no regrets about his decision. He was already a 2 time state champ including MOW and had already wrestled on a state champion team in 1983. He wanted to go out in style and give Coach Badida a state championship during Troy's senior year. Unlike many kids today, Troy had no problem making a sacrifice for his coach. Troy stated many times he was individually bored with wrestling, there was nothing else he could accomplish. He wanted to win a team title for coach.

The championship match started with Eddie shooting, Troy sprawling and quickly getting caught in a Kelly dump. Troy was on his back 10 seconds into the first period. He fought off his back for nearly the entire period. Losing by 5, Troy turned it out and started hammering Eddie. At the end of the 3rd period Troy was up by 2 and on top. Troy was gassed. He put in the double legs to ride out the clock and win.  He did however get too high. Eddie repositioned and was about to reverse thereby tying the match. Troy thought he was only up by 1 and the reversal would have won it for Eddie with time expiring. For reasons which still haunt me today, Troy rolled to his back waived to the crowd and got pinned. Troy had not been pinned since his 7th grade year. When Eddie reversed Troy there was less than 7 seconds in the match. Troy stood up, walked a full circle around the mat, waived to the crowd and walked off. 

Troy displayed the best act of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Troy told me after the match, "hey he beat me, he might as well pin me and go out in style".

I never agreed with what Troy did, but then again, I wasn't bored with wrestling. Eddie Pearsons was a stud and deserved to be state champ. However, never should Eddie's championship diminish what Troy accomplished. Troy was a very respected and phenomenal wrestler.

So was Troy saying he quit? Not the way i would want to be remembered. For what you just said thats what it sounds like.

You might be right on him waving his hand in defeat. I will watch the tape of his finals match and get back with you.

Yes, Troy, in his mind, lost the match. I am not defending what he did, but yes, he quit with less than 7 seconds left in the match. Troy told me, "hey, he beat me, why not have him go out in style".

Again, I am not defending what he did, nor am I taking anything away from a great wrestler Eddie Pearsons.  I know Troy very well, he has been my very best friend for 30 years. Troy just lost his edge and just rolled over. Craziest thing I've ever seen. We still talk about it and he just laughs. Sometimes people compete against themselves on a level many of us don't understand. To someone who has never won a state title, they may not be able to fathom Troy's actions. For those who have tasted the gold repeatedly, it may just not taste that good to them anymore?

I liken Troy's senior year to that of John Wolseifer. I believe wrestling was not that important to John his senior year and he choose not to participate.

I remember John's sophomore state title against Cooper when John won by a narrow margin. John was a stud, no doubt. I only mention that when Troy was a sophomore he beat his kid by nearly 20 before the kid just said he had enough and said no more. I am not trying to compare Troy and John to each other, however, John is recognized as one of the great ones of this era and yet he won by 2 points. Troy was quite domineering as a sophomore. Not many wrestlers, especially underclassmen, pin in the finals.

Dagger, put down your crack pipe and step away from the computer. If you believe Troy "tapped out" you have an abnormality with mental processing.

Eddie Pearsons went undefeated his junior and senior year. Troy was tired of having no competition. Our team in 1985 was very good. We had 2 returning state champions and 2 junior wrestlers picked to win state in 1985. The 2 juniors choked down state. Interestingly, both juniors, Richie Parker and Rob Madden won state the following year. Our team was competitive however history would prove we were no match for a very good Hoptown team. Remember, this is before the internet and given Hoptown was in western Ky and us in Northern Ky, we didn't know the full strength of their team.

Troy still has no regrets about his decision. He was already a 2 time state champ including MOW and had already wrestled on a state champion team in 1983. He wanted to go out in style and give Coach Badida a state championship during Troy's senior year. Unlike many kids today, Troy had no problem making a sacrifice for his coach. Troy stated many times he was individually bored with wrestling, there was nothing else he could accomplish. He wanted to win a team title for coach.

The championship match started with Eddie shooting, Troy sprawling and quickly getting caught in a Kelly dump. Troy was on his back 10 seconds into the first period. He fought off his back for nearly the entire period. Losing by 5, Troy turned it out and started hammering Eddie. At the end of the 3rd period Troy was up by 2 and on top. Troy was gassed. He put in the double legs to ride out the clock and win.  He did however get too high. Eddie repositioned and was about to reverse thereby tying the match. Troy thought he was only up by 1 and the reversal would have won it for Eddie with time expiring. For reasons which still haunt me today, Troy rolled to his back waived to the crowd and got pinned. Troy had not been pinned since his 7th grade year. When Eddie reversed Troy there was less than 7 seconds in the match. Troy stood up, walked a full circle around the mat, waived to the crowd and walked off. 

Troy displayed the best act of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Troy told me after the match, "hey he beat me, he might as well pin me and go out in style".

I never agreed with what Troy did, but then again, I wasn't bored with wrestling. Eddie Pearsons was a stud and deserved to be state champ. However, never should Eddie's championship diminish what Troy accomplished. Troy was a very respected and phenomenal wrestler.

Troy was down 7-6 after 1st  9-8 after 2nd then he reversed Eddie to give him a 10-9 lead then Eddie reversed Troy ran him to his back and put a figure four on his head and pinned him. He did wave but i don't think it was to the crown Eddie had a strangle hold on his head and he wanted out of it any way he could. It hurt me to watch it!!!!!!  

Very importantly, what did Troy do after the ref raised Eddie's hand? Troy walked around and waived goodbye to the crowd. Again, Troy hadn't been pinned since a 7th grader. Eddie was tough, but Troy never attempted to fight, he capitulated.

I wish Troy would have stayed at 145 that year then we wouldn't be having this discussion as Troy would have been a 3 timer. I just want people who didn't know Troy to at least hear about the forgotten sacrifice he made.  We often hear of wrestlers trying to lose weight to enter into a weight class they have a better chance of winning. Seldom do we hear of a wrestler who wants to go up the equivalent of 2 weight classes in today's weight groups just to challenge a defending state champ. Troy weighed 145 at the most and he challenged a heavy, extremely tough, physical 155 pounder.

Troy was down 7-6 after 1st  9-8 after 2nd then he reversed Eddie to give him a 10-9 lead then Eddie reversed Troy ran him to his back and put a figure four on his head and pinned him. He did wave but i don't think it was to the crown Eddie had a strangle hold on his head and he wanted out of it any way he could. It hurt me to watch it!!!!!! 

Sorry to prolong this deadhorse beating....but by coincidence I work with a guy who wrestled in the state finals that day and was on the side of the mat in that match.  I asked him what his impression was (a tap out wave, or a wave to the crowd) he said:  "you can never be for sure, but it didn't look to me like a tap out wave...and I know Troy pretty well you could probably break his leg and he wouldn't tap out".  But everyone is entitled to their opinions.  I know I wouldn't want to meet either Cole or Pearsons in a dark alley. 

He did wave but i don't think it was to the crown Eddie had a strangle hold on his head and he wanted out of it any way he could. It hurt me to watch it!!!!!!  

My recollection is that Troy was turned with seconds left and figured he couldn't reverse and get back points in enough time, so he waived "goodbye and thanks" to the crowd.  I waived back and teared up, followed by months of counseling.

I would like to see some of those matches though.   

Just watched the match, Eddie reversed him ran him two his back and figure four-ed his head and stuck him.

All Troy had to do is ride Eddie for about 12 seconds and he wins by 10-9. It was a great match up until the time he got stuck.

Troy also shook hands with all the finalists that day even Eddie ( when we lined up for the face off ).

Dagger, put down your crack pipe and step away from the computer. If you believe Troy "tapped out" you have an abnormality with mental processing.

Eddie Pearsons went undefeated his junior and senior year. Troy was tired of having no competition. Our team in 1985 was very good. We had 2 returning state champions and 2 junior wrestlers picked to win state in 1985. The 2 juniors choked down state. Interestingly, both juniors, Richie Parker and Rob Madden won state the following year. Our team was competitive however history would prove we were no match for a very good Hoptown team. Remember, this is before the internet and given Hoptown was in western Ky and us in Northern Ky, we didn't know the full strength of their team.

Troy still has no regrets about his decision. He was already a 2 time state champ including MOW and had already wrestled on a state champion team in 1983. He wanted to go out in style and give Coach Badida a state championship during Troy's senior year. Unlike many kids today, Troy had no problem making a sacrifice for his coach. Troy stated many times he was individually bored with wrestling, there was nothing else he could accomplish. He wanted to win a team title for coach.

The championship match started with Eddie shooting, Troy sprawling and quickly getting caught in a Kelly dump. Troy was on his back 10 seconds into the first period. He fought off his back for nearly the entire period. Losing by 5, Troy turned it out and started hammering Eddie. At the end of the 3rd period Troy was up by 2 and on top. Troy was gassed. He put in the double legs to ride out the clock and win.  He did however get too high. Eddie repositioned and was about to reverse thereby tying the match. Troy thought he was only up by 1 and the reversal would have won it for Eddie with time expiring. For reasons which still haunt me today, Troy rolled to his back waived to the crowd and got pinned. Troy had not been pinned since his 7th grade year. When Eddie reversed Troy there was less than 7 seconds in the match. Troy stood up, walked a full circle around the mat, waived to the crowd and walked off. 

Troy displayed the best act of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Troy told me after the match, "hey he beat me, he might as well pin me and go out in style".

I never agreed with what Troy did, but then again, I wasn't bored with wrestling. Eddie Pearsons was a stud and deserved to be state champ. However, never should Eddie's championship diminish what Troy accomplished. Troy was a very respected and phenomenal wrestler.

Was Richie Parker the kid with the Mohawk. He did look intimidating. I never saw anyone with a Mohawk before.

Richie Parker had the craziest mohawk. If was 6 to 8 inches long and spiked. I remember after state we were all back at the Holidome wishing we all had mohawks. I swear there were 50 girls who wanted to rub his mohawk and have their picture taken with him. He was a freakin celebrity. Richie was a good sport and allowed all the girls a good rub, lol.

I hope that he is not like all of the other wrestlers I know.  If so, the mohawk days are over and the girls would have to rub his shiny bald head!

I hope that he is not like all of the other wrestlers I know.  If so, the mohawk days are over and the girls would have to rub his shiny bald head!

Richie has way too much hair for a mohawk........not even close to bald.  The mohawk may be gone, but his passion lives on!!

Troy Cole has my vote overall. Just to throw some names out there of guys during my time, Strawn Nutter(boone), Matt Shotwell(con), Larry Little(j-town) Shipp(jtown hvy).

The Cole's have been out of wrestling for a while, do they have any kids wrestling?

You can tell this was started from a northern ky guy.  What happened to the ervin's from union co and richey from caldwell co? 

You can tell this was started from a northern ky guy.  What happened to the ervin's from union co and richey from caldwell co? 

Are you serious?  There are some AWESOME N. Ky guys not mentioned on this list.  Rick Barker - 2nd as a freshman (lost in OT), 3X state champ.  Which Ervin would you put above him?  Rick Barker would eat the Ervins for breakfast.  There is definitely not a n. ky bias to the list. 

Some other great N. Ky wrestlers missing - Pat Martz, Troy Cole, Dave Barnes, Tommy Storms.  What about Mason Reid & Brian Peace?  2X state champs...D1 full rides. 

You can tell this was started from a northern ky guy.  What happened to the ervin's from union co and richey from caldwell co? 

btw - I do agree with you on Dave Richey probably should be on there.  He was awesome.  But so was some of the other N. Ky guys missing.

just look at the list only one wrestler from W. Ky. It ask for the Best pound for pound in Ky history. Glad to see we agree on Richey from Caldwell

what list are u lookin at??? Livingston Merritt and Jarod Trice are on there

And WKY could possibly have more... Willie Ennels 3X champ  2nd at the High School Nationals his Senior Year. 

Tom Lee, Grady Petterson, Shawn Smith, Miguel Merritt

I agree

And WKY could possibly have more... Willie Ennels 3X champ   2nd at the High School Nationals his Senior Year. 

Tom Lee, Grady Petterson, Shawn Smith, Miguel Merritt

...Livingston Merrit, Harold Ritchie, etc.

How about those Pinners also, Hank was a beast. Also Richey was an Olympic alternate so I'd have to say his credentials alone should put him on the list.

The only reason Hank doesnt come up more, is because of the Horn match his senior year.  Hank doesnt lose that match if he is 100% healthy, which by the way he was in their rematch at the blue grass games when he beat Horn.

I agree with you guys on some of these names from W. Ky could be on here.  But there are others in N. Ky that the same could be argued.  The point is the list was 16 names long.  There is 3 n. ky guys on there.  Hardly a n. ky bias.  I 100% agree David Richie belongs on there.  No question.  Beyond that a good case could be made for guys from other regions as well.

I think when little Parker makes his run for a state title we should have Ritchie shave his head into a mohawk ha ha!

I can't believe you people never mention David Barnes of Simon Kenton.

Barnes was 4th in the state as a freshman, 4th in the state as a sophmore, 2nd in the state as junior and 1988 state champion and state tournments most outstanding wrestler at 135 lbs. He went 42-0 that year with 37 pins. He wrestled at MIAMI UNIVERSITY of OHIO (NCAA DIVISION I college). He was a 3X MAC Conference Champion, 2X NCAA Qualifier and a 1992 NCAA ALL-AMERICAN at 150 lbs, placed 8th at the NCAAs.

did Dominic Black go d1?

1977  Ky. state champ  MOW

West Virginia  102-36-2  All-American

2 gold medals World Cup of Freestyle

As I remember, Knable went to IU and Slugantz went there also. Slugantz cut down to wrestle 157 and this is just what I heard, but I heard they had a wrestle off and Slugantz techd him so did Knable actually wrestle for the team and compete? I dont have that info, curious?

Slugantz transferred to Gannon after a year or two and yes he did be Knable.  Can't remember the age difference. 

Knable started for 2 or 3 years if I remember correctly.  I was thinking that he qualified for NCAA's 1 year.

No age difference,same age, class of 02 baby, great year. Im not sure if he started for 2 or three years, we'd have to look that up just be sure

This is not a commnet about the bet wrestler on the list but one of the most memorable matches I ever saw. State finals match between Tyler Baldwin and a St.X guy in 02. Tyler walked out on the mat and looked toward the St.X section where they always sit crossed his arms in the form an X and then pointed at them and cut his throat with the motion of his hand. He got a team point deduction but it was worth it. Of course he won so it was like sticking the knife a little deeper.