In your opinion, who was the best wrestler in our state never to win it all?

me.....

just joking....Mark Richardson from Fern Creek was a 3 time runner up if I remember correctly....I also think 2 years in a row he was undefeated or had 1 loss going to the state finals. He was a very smooth wrester.

btw - i think this topic has already been on here....but it's still a very interesting one.

I am pretty sure I have seen it on here as well, but it still makes for a good discussion.

I would have to go with Mark Shaver (South Oldham), and Chris Sanders (Wayne Co). Shaver blew a huge lead over Joey Hagedorn his senior year, and ended up losing in OT. Sanders would have been a state champ had he wrestled his junior and senior seasons.

I think richardson was from woodford

Shaun Cecil from Caldwell County.

Dion Washington from Woodford Co. 3x Finalist and 4x State Placer..

My vote would also be Dion Washington Hwt Woodford Co.

Fresman------5th place

Sophmore----2nd to Danny Davis (Ft. Kn)

Junior---------2nd to Frank Wolnitzec (Holmes)

Senior--------2nd to Frank Wolnitzec (Holmes)

Brandon Campbell from Fort Campbell

Andrew Cooper from LaRue Co.

I think richardson was from woodford

You're right he was...and he still has my vote....I think he also took 3rd or 4th as a freshman and maybe placed as an 8th grader as well.

drew trimble

Todd May 167 lbs. 3 time state runner-up 82,83,84

I also think Pat Banks of Larue Co (145lbs) is one of the best wrestlers I've ever seen. He was also beat by one of Ky's all-time best wrestler, Harrison Courtney.

You've already said my votes.

Marc Richardson- Woodford

Dion Washington- Woodford

And if Pat Banks doesnt win next year, put him on this list. I think he and Courtney need to stay away from Wolsiefer(sp) next year.......

Anthony Smith- Christian County

2nd his Sophomore year at 112 (1998)

4th his Junior year (because of the worst call ever, but that's another story) at 112 (1999)

2nd his Senior year at 119 (2000)

Anthony Smith- Christian County

2nd his Sophomore year at 112 (1998)

4th his Junior year (because of the worst call ever' date=' but that's another story) at 112 (1999)

2nd his Senior year at 119 (2000)[/quote']

My vote would be Dion Washington or Anthony Smith (got wayne rolled by drew carmen in 98 finals with about ten seconds left) BUT when he lost in the semis to Knable it WAS NOT a bad call, he stalled and stalled and stalled and Issac knew all he had to do was look active. If you stall in the state tourney you are asking to be beat. (I was beat in the quarters by a stalling Smith,,,,one ref callled the match and DQed him , but after a few minute examinaton of the scorecard they gave him the match b/c he was up points and the refs differed on how may times he was called for stalling) BTW after reviewing teh tape...he shoulda been DQed in the quarters.) so what happened in the semis was kinda predictable. All that aside he was a solid wrestler that somehow couldn't put it all together in that last week to win a title.

John Thompson--Sheldon clark 2time runner up, great wrestler

Clifford Johnson-Southern

Eric Bryant

anyone remember jeff schetler? he was undefeated his senior yr. and first round of state got caught in a cradle...came back and took 3rd, and his junior yr. he got DQ'ed for hitting some huge kid from trinity... anyways...he was an amazing wrestler...

This by far went to Anthony Smith From Chrisitan County a very athletic kid beat many high ranked kids ranked 1 all year long for three years and just got some wrong calls a.k.a the knable match. but the past is the past and it can't be undone.

I think it has to go to jason hardin he went undefeated all year untill state where he got 5th (his undefeated streak was all pins 98% were in the first period

brandon perry and dalmer watson where great wrestler

Eric Bryant who?? He would not make it in my top 8 of wrestlers who should have won and didnt.....here is a couple Keith Lageman, Kevin Delk.

Kevin Delk was an absolute animal. He is up there.

Another great wrestler from that timeframe to not win was Jamie Mastruserio (Campbell Co). Although i saw him and Delk wrestle head to head and Delk was little better.

There are state champs today i can think of (no need to pick on anyone and it wouldn't be ... those two were just that good) these two guys would comfortably beat and possibly major.

I think it has to go to jason hardin he went undefeated all year untill state where he got 5th (his undefeated streak was all pins 98% were in the first period

Agreed. Jason is an awsome wrestler. He's also a very gracious winner and all around good guy. He has a problem when it comes to condition though. All those short quick pin matches didn't do much to keep him in shape. They also didn't prepare him for wrestlers the caliber of Goodrich. Even though he wasn't very well conditioned, he still could have beat Clark at state. Just a little more effort and a take down would have been his.

Robert Smith

daniel thunemen would be a possibilitie

I would probably agree that Anthony Smith is one of the greatest, just like so many have already said.

How about Tony Perry from Valley.

6th place as a freshman in 1997 at 103

4th place as a sophomore in 1998 at 103

2nd place as a junior in 1999 at 103 (lost to Tim Whitfill in the Finals)

2nd place as a senior in 2000 at 103 (lost to Luke Metzger in the finals)

daniel thunemen would be a possibilitie

Hold your horses there, he's still got 1 more year....right?

Corey Bankemper....his career record was something like 174-46 (seen it on the CC wrestling room wall).  That's a HECK of a lot of wins!!

Here is another "Blast From the Past"

David Poindexter Hop-town

83-state qualifier 98lbs

84-5th at 105 lbs

85-2nd at 112 lbs

86-3rd at 119 lbs

87-2nd at 138 lbs (Lost to his old teammate Pat Moody who had  transferred schools.)

Not a bad resume',

5 time state qualifier

4 time state placer

2 time state runner up

Kevin Orth from CC could be put on this list also  3x state placer and lost to richard starks in the finals his senior year.

Orth would never have lost that bad to Starks if they had wrestled again.  Starks was obviously the better wrestler in the finals.  That being said, it should have been a good match.

On Campbell Co guys, how bout Jimmy Houze ?  He did beat starks at state duels, was smoking the guy that beat him at state (up by something like 9 on him ... last minute roll job).  The very next match starks wins by two against the same guy.  I checked that out in past results, its a shame it played out like that.

Kind of off topic, but how about Ruschelle NOT winning until he was a junior ?

Orth would never have lost that bad to Starks if they had wrestled again.  Starks was obviously the better wrestler in the finals.  That being said, it should have been a good match.

On Campbell Co guys, how bout Jimmy Houze ?  He did beat starks at state duels, was smoking the guy that beat him at state (up by something like 9 on him ... last minute roll job).  The very next match starks wins by two against the same guy.  I checked that out in past results, its a shame it played out like that.

    Orth would never come close to beating Starks.  Orth was a takedown wrestler.  Starks was much better at takedowns than Orth.  Orth's weakness was on the mat.  When Kevin couldn't beat Starks on his feet the match was over. I think Orth is a great kid and a very good wrestler but he was nowhere near Starks.

    Houze may have been the best overall wrester in that weight class that year.  However Houze always had trouble staying focused in tough matches.  When he got a sizable lead he would back off.  I was standing next to the mat when Cochenour (Sp) from DeSales defeated him.  Houze backed off when he got the big lead and got caught up in a move.  When it happened I turned to my buddy next to me and said I told you.  It is a great example of having to wrestle 6 full minutes in a match. 

    This is kind of where Starks got the bad rap.  His freshman year Houze had defeated him also, and Houze was injured and not able to make state, also starks was on the less chalenging side of the brackets that year.  Starks Soph. Houze defeated him at state duals then gets upset and Starks becomes state champ.  Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.  In Starks case he was both.

Don't get me wrong, after seeing the finals match i thought starks was better.  But not 8 points better.  Good match meant within 4 points (one throw changes the outcome), maybe i should have said closer match due to conflicting ideas on what that means. 

After all Robinson made a good show against him in that tourney, and orth beat him at regions.  Granted, different syles cause different results ... and he was a hoss for starks to handle since starks was a small 189 that year.  I still don't think it should have been a blowout. 

Now that i mention Robinson,  I liked watching that guy wrestle.  Nothing fancy about the guy, but he was effective. 

HA HA....Jason Hardin if your going to mention him lets mention Dale Stone because he owned him um...twice.

There were 2 very tough wrestlers from Oldham last year that were never state champions.  Alex Wenninger Soph. year 7th at state, Junior year 5th at state, and senior year state runner up.  And Danny Martinko 6th as a freshmen, injured Soph and Junior year, and state runner up senior year.  Both these guys were extremly tough and just had amazing wrestlers in their weight classes their senior year.  Alex ran into Starks and Danny got Schere.

There were 2 very tough wrestlers from Oldham last year that were never state champions.  Alex Wenninger Soph. year 7th at state, Junior year 5th at state, and senior year state runner up.  And Danny Martinko 6th as a freshmen, injured Soph and Junior year, and state runner up senior year.  Both these guys were extremly tough and just had amazing wrestlers in their weight classes their senior year.  Alex ran into Starks and Danny got Schere.

Yeah they were both very good and talented wrestlers, the 2 they had in the finals were just some of the best upperweights ever from Kentucky.

Besides Joey Hagedorn, Mark Shaver also lost in the finals his junior year to Brad Cooper 9-5.

Very good wrestler

I think Martinko got the easy side of a bracket his sr. year. IMO

Going through Byrd and Wise to get to the finals is NOT the easy side of the bracket.

uhhhhh wow im surpised you guys didnt mention guys like

Cody Walls-Caldwell Co 06

Robert Smith-Eastern 05

Chris Reed-Seneca 04

Justin Kowele Eastern 04

Andre Bradford Eastern 03

Billy Whitehouse S.Oldham 03

Cory Spencer Johnson Central

The last 2 HVWTS from Dunbar(Very Respectable for this vote)

Conners last 3 good Wrestlers Dale and Stanley Stone and Keith Lageman

Ft Campbell's

Nate Johnson

Matt Mines

Nate Campbell

Thomas Campbell

Everyone forget Kurt Liska,LOL( he did have a bad senior yr to be honest,but he was good)

Come on people there are alot more people than all of these 80's and 90's wrestlers you are naming no offense to them,being that they started us before we were even started,lol

Uhh...Northern your right about Martinko that wasnt a easy side of the bracket Byrd and Wise were good competitors

Danny Martinko had the easy side of the bracket?  Are you serious?  Dale Stone, Matt Byrd, and Aaron Wise were on his side.  If that was the easy side I'd hate to see the hard side.  If anything I think his side was harder.  Dale Stone got 3rd, Aaron Wise got 4th, and Matt Byrd got 5th.  So lets compare sides Scheres side 1, 6, 7, 8.  And Dannys side 2, 3, 4, 5.  Not taking anything away from Schere because it didn't matter who he wrestled he was going to win, but thats a joke if you think Martinko had an easier road to the finals than Schere did.

uhhhhh wow im surpised you guys didnt mention guys like

Cody Walls-Caldwell Co 06

Robert Smith-Eastern 05

Chris Reed-Seneca 04

Justin Kowele Eastern 04

Andre Bradford Eastern 03

Billy Whitehouse S.Oldham 03

Cory Spencer Johnson Central

The last 2 HVWTS from Dunbar(Very Respectable for this vote)

Conners last 3 good Wrestlers Dale and Stanley Stone and Keith Lageman

Ft Campbell's

Nate Johnson

Matt Mines

Nate Campbell

Thomas Campbell

The title of this is "BEST WRESTLER"

Robert Smith, (Who I think was mentioned and Billy Whitehouse may be the only two IMO that would qualify)

I don't think any of these would qualify in this catagory.

Honerable Mention from your list

Cody Walls- Very patient wrestler but not spectacular.

Nate Johnson-did not wrestle his senior year.

Stanly Stone and Keith Lageman, maybe should have won their senior year but once again very good wrestlers but not great.

keith was a stud at HWT....no offense to the guy who beat him (I think it was Clark from Trinity)...but if they wrestled 10 times, I'd say Keith would beat him 7 or 8 out of those, maybe 9.  Keith got impatient in that match and flashed back to his nimbly-bimbly days of 171 and tried to hit a double leg or high-c on clark...clark caught him, put him on his back and laid back the rest of the match.  it was smart on clark's part, but just a bad break for keith.  keith is definitely one of the best hwt's to not be a state champ.  i'd even rank him ahead of dion washington who was a great hwt. 

Well I think it was very obvious the Byrd's arm was a big factor..and he was not what he was his soph. year. Second thing Wise was a good wrestler but I dont think he was as tough as your making him out to be...and he never wrestled dale.

Plee, Keith never wrestled 171 the lowest he wrestled was 215 :wink:

excuse the h*ll out of me cougar, i forgot his birth weight was 165 lbs.  actually i confirmed from him that as an 8th grader, and going into his 9th grade year he was a 171 lber....  now don't ever correct me on here again!  ;-)

True Byrds arm was a large factor, but having said that Martinko in my openion could've beaten him had he not injured his arm.  But thats something well never know.  And true Stone and Martinko never got the chance to wrestle only because Wise beat Stone before he could get to Martinko.  And Martinko beat Wise so...  Now I know Stone defeated Wise for 3rd, but I definitely think Martinko would have beaten Stone.  Once again well never know.  And I disagree about Wise I feel he was as tough as I'm making him out to be.  I wrestled him at WCI and beat him, but it came down to the last 20 seconds.  Besides Schere who was so tough that was on the other side?

Wise and Stone wrestled 3 times this year:

1. Wise beat Stone at Conner Duals by 4 or 5 points

2. Wise beat Stone at state. (In that matcdh Stone bit Wise and the ref didn't do anything, Don't say it's not true, i saw the teeth marks)

3. Stone beat Wise for 3rd at state (Stone dug his nails down on wise' neck, once again I saw the scratches firsthand they were about 5 inches long)

Wise won 2-1

excuse the h*ll out of me cougar, i forgot his birth weight was 165 lbs.  actually i confirmed from him that as an 8th grader, and going into his 9th grade year he was a 171 lber....  now don't ever correct me on here again!  ;-)

wow!

a bit touchy here, do I detect a grudge match here between plee and cougar at bluegrass games?

uhhhhh wow im surpised you guys didnt mention guys like

Cody Walls-Caldwell Co 06

Robert Smith-Eastern 05

Chris Reed-Seneca 04

Justin Kowele Eastern 04

Andre Bradford Eastern 03

Billy Whitehouse S.Oldham 03

Cory Spencer Johnson Central

The last 2 HVWTS from Dunbar(Very Respectable for this vote)

Conners last 3 good Wrestlers Dale and Stanley Stone and Keith Lageman

Ft Campbell's

Nate Johnson

Matt Mines

Nate Campbell

Thomas Campbell

Everyone forget Kurt Liska,LOL( he did have a bad senior yr to be honest,but he was good)

Come on people there are alot more people than all of these 80's and 90's wrestlers you are naming no offense to them,being that they started us before we were even started,lol

Uhh...Northern your right about Martinko that wasnt a easy side of the bracket Byrd and Wise were good competitors

I believe one of the Dunbar heavyweights you are talking about did win state.  Zach Brewer won it his Junior year and was runner up his senior year.  And I definiatly agree wih you on Andre Bradford from Eastern and Cris Reed from Seneca.  Andre Bradford got stuck with Brent Gibbs who really turned it up a couple of notches at state.  And Cris Reed wrestled Bo Hines extrodinarily well in the semis but just couldn't pull it out.  Both have got to be somewhere on this list.  Another person that has to be on the list is Brandon Perry from McCreary County.  He was a bad man.  6th his Soph. year, 3rd his Junior year, and 2nd his senior.

I'm curious Why wouldnt Cody Walls be at the top of all of these list guys,he got 3rd-4th through his last years in high school,not 2 mention he did it well at every weight class,yes he was cocky and a prick at some times BUT there were many wrestlers like that all through kentucky.......(Um no names)

Robert Smith came in as a underdog from a kinda weak program at Central High School,his 1st year,and then going through Eastern in 10th as a rookie and coming out of nowhere hitting the rankings at 8th and competing well at 135 and plac ing at state and defeating the TOP 5 ranked wrestlers in his weight class barely losing to #2 in his weight class,and then we all know his senior yr competing at state with a top Intermat recruit and nationaly ranked wrestler,getting a bad draw but still placing,I'd vote for that...

Campbell Counties Ben Hines,Cory Benkemper,very well get these votes.....

Now another thing I cannot seem 2 understand Eric Bryant was overrated at times,but he definetly was good enough 2 win a state title but people dogged him out on here n say he didnt deserve,im sure I can get some votes that he was the best wrestler to not win a state title..

I agree with you about Bankemper.  He placed in front of Banks that year even though he lost to him at state, far in front of him pinning Joey Sanders for 3rd, implying to me nerves got to him or he looked past the match considering Banks was early in his career (freshman that year).  Or, Banks wrestled the match of his career.

I think the deal with Bryant is that there's a misconception on everyone's part that someone has to be a technical wizard or the outrageously quick smooth type with the juking and jiving stuff.  The type of guy that you couldn't catch even if you cornered him in a telephone booth. This is not true.  Bryant overpowered his opponents, and was effective enough doing it. 

That said, Bryant was good enough to win ... but i don't know if he's one of the best ever to not win.

    Ben Hines may be on this list.  He was set for a showdown with Lewis his senior year, but a guy named Murton got in both of their ways. 

    Bankemper may have been the slickest wrestler that year, I thought he would win it hands down.  I also think nerves got to him.  He had that problem a couple of times that year in Ohio tourneys.

    Bryant, (whom I would put on my team any time) was a great wrestler, had what it took to win the title but not the greatest.

    Walls is the same way, a very good wrestler but not one of the greatest not to win it. 

    I think there are more in the early days then now because wrestlers today are more informed.  If they are in a wt. class that they may not win it they move to another. Ie.  (J. Cooper, A. Cooper) In the early days that information was not available. 

HA HA....Jason Hardin if your going to mention him lets mention Dale Stone because he owned him um...twice.

Unless Dale Stone "owned" him this past season then it doesn't matter because we're not talk about year one, year two, or year three Jason Hardin. We're talkin' about the Jason Hardin at his peak ability which was this year. And lets try to have a little more respect for people like him instead of talkin' like a jerk and sayin' everything with a smug "as a matter of fact" tone.

Ridge I'd remove the language from your post. 

Breaking the rules leads to banishment.

Robert Smith came in as a underdog from a kinda weak program at Central High School,his 1st year,and then going through Eastern in 10th as a rookie and coming out of nowhere hitting the rankings at 8th and competing well at 135 and plac ing at state and defeating the TOP 5 ranked wrestlers in his weight class barely losing to #2 in his weight class,and then we all know his senior yr competing at state with a top Intermat recruit and nationaly ranked wrestler,getting a bad draw but still placing,I'd vote for that...

I've never heard someone hype themselves up like this lol.  Just playin with yah MagicBone you were definiatly tough and deserve to be on the list as well.

wow!

a bit touchy here, do I detect a grudge match here between plee and cougar at bluegrass games?

hehe, just razzin cougar there...i don't want a grudge match with no one these days.  my place on a mat is on the side sitting in a chair.

Wise and Stone wrestled 3 times this year:

1. Wise beat Stone at Conner Duals by 4 or 5 points

2. Wise beat Stone at state. (In that matcdh Stone bit Wise and the ref didn't do anything, Don't say it's not true, i saw the teeth marks)

3. Stone beat Wise for 3rd at state (Stone dug his nails down on wise' neck, once again I saw the scratches firsthand they were about 5 inches long)

Wise won 2-1

Come on....5 inch scratches?  Their mascot is the cougars, he's not literally a cougar.  Dale won the 1 that counted, i.e. for a higher medal at state.  I say Wise won some battles, but Dale won the war.  As far as Dale biting & scratching...there was 2 sides to that story.  Wise was pulling some stuff in those matches as well. 

my place on a mat is on the side sitting in a chair.

And sometimes the chair wins!!! :-D :-o :mrgreen:

And sometimes the chair wins!!! :-D :-o :mrgreen:

Sure, pick on the fat kid!

Come on....5 inch scratches?  Their mascot is the cougars, he's not literally a cougar.  Dale won the 1 that counted, i.e. for a higher medal at state.  I say Wise won some battles, but Dale won the war.  As far as Dale biting & scratching...there was 2 sides to that story.  Wise was pulling some stuff in those matches as well. 

Yeah he won the wore in an unfair way. I personally saw the scratches and tooth marks

Check out the year before between Wise and Stone. These are not just from this year its from the Best Ever. Year after year.

Ridge45,

This is not about peak ability its about "BEST EVER" the fact of the matter is Dale, Wise, or Hardin are not even in the top 10. So I dont know why this is even an argument at the time.

Yeah he won the wore in an unfair way. I personally saw the scratches and tooth marks

If this is happened, it is obviously the referee's fault. Call it unfair, whatever, it's all left out on the mat after its over. Although its horrible, it does no good to complain about such things after its all over.

Eaglewrestler12,

If this did happen there are two problems and Im not calling you a liar. If you were able to see the marks Wise should have brought it do the attention of the Ref and if you dont know the rules its an auto DQ. Now I dont know where the marks were but I have thrown cross faces and caught teeth and not called it unfair. Now 5 inch scrathes if your going to tell a story dont get out of hand w/ it. Wise is a big kid but a 5 inch neck is a nice size neck. Also this would have led to a DQ. Another thing accidents to happen I have always been told to have a tight collar tie so if the ref did not check his nails good enough and a tight collar tie was applied it could have left marks. To sit here and call someone unfair is a joke and insult to ones abilities. I doubt any of the following scrathes or "bites" had anything to do with the win. Maybe it was because Stone took him down and Wise didnt get one. Or maybe it could have been a coaching strategy. So think about how you take things out of hand and how you accuse people before you type on here.

Cougar,

I have thought about, and it still happenned. Now, can you explain to me how to bite someone accidentally?

Read the post above I should not have to explain myself again. But for the sake of this conversaion I will. DEPENDING on where the BITE is I have put a cross face on someone before and have had teeth marks on where my hand or arm was crossing the mouth. Again Wise should have brought this to the attention of the ref. Now how do you explain 5 Inch scrathes on a 4 to 5inch neck. Now if this was me and I was going for 3rd or 4th I would have brought this to the refs attention. But he didnt so my apologizes to you and Wise. Tell me you would have not done the same...or tell me that you have never had a tooth mark on a hand where a crossface has been thrown. For all I know though he could have bit his leg. Im just going off where 9 out of 10 "Bites" occur and wrestlers are forced to DQ.  Its also a physical sport things happen. My explanations are above. Again there is no need to get on here and call someone a cheat, or said they won unfair its taking away from ones hardwork, and there ability to wrestle.

Now, cant we move into the real topic here the BEST WRESTLERS TO NEVER WIN STATE!! Not the half way decent ones who didnt. If you want to talk about this label it the Best Cheaters Who never won state on a diffrent forum. Im assuming would be a great topic or this what im sure you would call it.

reading this psot thinking of stanley stone i would haveto say he is one of the best not to win state his senior year he was abadhe handled nessen and just lost his head in the finals i will give credit where credit is sue the kid from trinity is good but stone was better wrestled a awful finals match but had an unbelivable record going in and thoguht he is very deserving of a state championship but about wise gettin bite and scratched i dont know about that one refs check nails and bite marks are atomatic dq's so thats hard to belive and i aint saying your lieing about it it could be head gear scratches or anything but its a rough sport and if scratches are the only injurys he got then he is doing good

Mike Hubard - CCHS  - Only hurdle to get tripped up on was Livingston Merritt

Dave Diaz - HHS  -Take down machine-3rd sr, 3rd jr, 6th soph.

Anthony Smith - CCHS - 2nd, 4th, 2nd

troy nichols caldwell county

Patrick Banks from Larue and Sam Isaacs from Anderson

My vote would also be Dion Washington Hwt Woodford Co.

Fresman------5th place

Sophmore----2nd to Danny Davis (Ft. Kn)

Junior---------2nd to Frank Wolnitzec (Holmes)

Senior--------2nd to Frank Wolnitzec (Holmes)

gahh thats brutal

i didnt read the other 5 pages cause i didnt feel like it. but two wrestlers that were very good that never won a championship were danial thuenamen, and jon voth. also i do believe beau sanders never won, and he was also very good.

well since my thing is Fort Campbell and our guys have been mentioned i'll just throw a random one out there

Although he was never one of the greatest Alan Johnson had incredible potential. He just never focused on wrestling as much as he should've. Coach Lowe told me that lack of commitment did Brandon Campbell in too

well since my thing is Fort Campbell and our guys have been mentioned i'll just throw a random one out there

Although he was never one of the greatest Alan Johnson had incredible potential. He just never focused on wrestling as much as he should've. Coach Lowe told me that lack of commitment did Brandon Campbell in too

Alan Johnson not to take away from him had some potential but he wasn't that good. Now his older brother Nate Johnson would be a better candidate. He was ranked first going into the state tourney his senior year in probably one of the toughest weight classes that year with Cody Walls, Aylor, Brian Wilson, and a very tough kid union that year his name slips my mind.

The union kid was Walls.

Some names that come to mind.

Mark Shaver

Andrew Cooper

Tony Perry

Josh Cooper

Daniel Theunamen

Pat Banks

Carr from Union(the small 112 one)

The union kid was Walls.

No, it was Kenny Manuel. Also Ricky Washington was in the mix from Hopkinsville.  The irony of this was at regions it was 1. Nate Johnson 2. Kenny Manuel 3. Cody Walls 4. Ricky Washington. Manuel placed 4th at state Walls placed 3rd Ricky placed 8th and Nate didn't even place let alone win a state championship.

I'm curious Why wouldnt Cody Walls be at the top of all of these list guys,he got 3rd-4th through his last years in high school,not 2 mention he did it well at every weight class,yes he was cocky and a prick at some times BUT there were many wrestlers like that all through kentucky.......(Um no names)

He's a pretty fair ref nowadays.

I'd agree Cody Walls is a very good ref for his age.  His composure at the state tournament impressed me last year.  Did he win the outstanding official award or whatever it's called?

There are two I put on the list both wrestled at Central Hardin in the early 90's. The list you all have compiled is awfully tough to go against but I just feel like these two were pretty tough.

Robbie Higdon

Darrel Smallwood

i didnt read the other 5 pages cause i didnt feel like it. but two wrestlers that were very good that never won a championship were danial thuenamen, and jon voth. also i do believe beau sanders never won, and he was also very good.

Beau Sanders never won, he was in the finals the last two years loosing to Harrison Courtney. Also Beau's team mate Josh Ashbrook, never won state got 3rd,2nd,3rd last three years. This is a kid that is number 2 in career wins in the Nation, just behind Travis Sullivan

Beau Sanders never won, he was in the finals the last two years loosing to Harrison Courtney. Also Beau's team mate Josh Ashbrook, never won state got 3rd,2nd,3rd last three years. This is a kid that is number 2 in career wins in the Nation, just behind Travis Sullivan

yeah beau and ashbrooke were both great wrestlers.

josh cooper and daniel thuneman josh cooper by far he never got his shot his senior year he would have walked through state

josh cooper and daniel thuneman josh cooper by far he never got his shot his senior year he would have walked through state

Mitch Ervin might have something to say about that. :evil:

As of recently I would say Ashbrook and Theuneman.  Theuneman had the better overall career but I'd say Ashbrook was better when they were seniors.  John Smith was one who was pretty good but was behind Coty Lewis and others throughout his career and consequently always had to bump up a weight and never placed.  Pat Banks was pretty good too.

As of recently I would say Ashbrook and Theuneman.  Theuneman had the better overall career but I'd say Ashbrook was better when they were seniors.  John Smith was one who was pretty good but was behind Coty Lewis and others throughout his career and consequently always had to bump up a weight and never placed.  Pat Banks was pretty good too.

i just remember john smith getting handled by tyler voth at regionals. he got spladled the week before that as well.

Yeah John wasn't the strongest wrestler to begin with even at his correct weight class and bumping up a weight probably didn't help.  Both Voths were pretty strong as well.  Smith was good at playing the angles and his endurance won him a lot of matches.

Mitch Ervin might have something to say about that. :evil:

I honestly don't think he could have said much. 

At the NKAC that year he throttled Golsby.  Made him look like he had never wrestled before. He ended up scoring something like 10 points then his coach told him to pin Golsby and he did.  He just played with Golsby.

Golsby however came to within seconds of defeating Ervin, (I didn't see the match live but have seen it on tape.) 2 or 3 seconds more and Golsby scores at least an escape to tie and maybe a reversal to win.

This is not how one wrestler fairs against another.  Josh Cooper did whatever he wanted to Golsby and Ervin had all he could handle from Golsby.

Josh Cooper walks through the state and is MOW.

Sam Isaacs from Anderson. was tough; bad call in the finals lost it for him.

Sam Isaacs from Anderson. was tough; bad call in the finals lost it for him.

I did not see any bad calls.  Issacs was also on the easy side of the bracket in a fairly weak weight class.

I honestly don't think he could have said much. 

At the NKAC that year he throttled Golsby.  Made him look like he had never wrestled before. He ended up scoring something like 10 points then his coach told him to pin Golsby and he did.  He just played with Golsby.

Golsby however came to within seconds of defeating Ervin, (I didn't see the match live but have seen it on tape.) 2 or 3 seconds more and Golsby scores at least an escape to tie and maybe a reversal to win.

This is not how one wrestler fairs against another.  Josh Cooper did whatever he wanted to Golsby and Ervin had all he could handle from Golsby.

Josh Cooper walks through the state and is MOW.

Mitch was a much better wrestler his senior year,and there have been others who "walks through state''.MOW also?LOL.....

I dont really understand what you are saying at all.  Mitch and Cooper would of met up Mitch's Junior year if Cooper would of not got hurt, not his senior year.  I would have to say that I think Cooper would of walked through state his senior year as well if not for the injury.  Ervins senior year vs Coopers senior year would of been a toss up though.

I think Butler from woodford

Butler was tough I wrestled him a lot my junior year, his style kept a lot of matches close with some tough guys. He would of been top 5 at 135 easily that year.

I honestly don't think he could have said much. 

At the NKAC that year he throttled Golsby.  Made him look like he had never wrestled before. He ended up scoring something like 10 points then his coach told him to pin Golsby and he did.  He just played with Golsby.

Golsby however came to within seconds of defeating Ervin, (I didn't see the match live but have seen it on tape.) 2 or 3 seconds more and Golsby scores at least an escape to tie and maybe a reversal to win.

This is not how one wrestler fairs against another.  Josh Cooper did whatever he wanted to Golsby and Ervin had all he could handle from Golsby.

Josh Cooper walks through the state and is MOW.

Golsby must've had a bad match or got down and gave up. Regardless, I doubt Cooper would have walked through state. Ervin beat Banks which that in itself should show that not only would Ervin have hung with Cooper but probably would have beat him. I give Golsby the benefit of the doubt and say he had a good state tournament run because alot more was on the line. Also Cooper may have wrestled Golsby before being from northern ky. We could go on all day though about who would have won but the fact is it will never happen.

david leibrum

I did not see any bad calls.  Issacs was also on the easy side of the bracket in a fairly weak weight class.

How was that the weekside of the bracket? every wrestler he wrestled from the first match placed. look at the podium. 1 through 8. only the 1 and 3 were on that side. the 2 4 5 6 7 8 were on his side which he wrestled the 4 5 6 7 and 8

How was that the weekside of the bracket? every wrestler he wrestled from the first match placed. look at the podium. 1 through 8. only the 1 and 3 were on that side. the 2 4 5 6 7 8 were on his side which he wrestled the 4 5 6 7 and 8

I think that if Ashbrooke was on Issacs side or Choate, then the best he would of had was 3rd.  He got lucky to not be on either side of the best 2 wrestlers in that weight class.

i think malcom jackson from fern creek is a good one

i think malcom jackson from fern creek is a good one

yeah he was really good, just one step behind bryan peace. well maybe a few more than one step lol...he got handled pretty well...

I think that if Ashbrooke was on Issacs side or Choate, then the best he would of had was 3rd.  He got lucky to not be on either side of the best 2 wrestlers in that weight class.

I second that one.

i still say daniel thuneuman

that kid was a joy to watch

his semi against courtney his senior year was absolutley amazing

ihe lost to the kid who won state every year and ended up with 3rd 3 years in a row hes the bext in my book

hahahha i remember at the dragon his senior year he got pissed off cause he beat the kid 13 to nothin in the finals and couldnt tech him

i still say daniel thuneuman

that kid was a joy to watch

his semi against courtney his senior year was absolutley amazing

ihe lost to the kid who won state every year and ended up with 3rd 3 years in a row hes the bext in my book

hahahha i remember at the dragon his senior year he got pissed off cause he beat the kid 13 to nothin in the finals and couldnt tech him

lol wow... what a change...

i mean choate and isaacs is always gonna be a one point match. and ashbrook and isaacs is always close to.

i still say daniel thuneuman

that kid was a joy to watch

his semi against courtney his senior year was absolutley amazing

ihe lost to the kid who won state every year and ended up with 3rd 3 years in a row hes the bext in my book

hahahha i remember at the dragon his senior year he got pissed off cause he beat the kid 13 to nothin in the finals and couldnt tech him

He was pissed against Courtney in the semis and went on a takedown rampage.

Golsby must've had a bad match or got down and gave up. Regardless, I doubt Cooper would have walked through state. Ervin beat Banks which that in itself should show that not only would Ervin have hung with Cooper but probably would have beat him. I give Golsby the benefit of the doubt and say he had a good state tournament run because alot more was on the line. Also Cooper may have wrestled Golsby before being from northern ky. We could go on all day though about who would have won but the fact is it will never happen.

josh cooper earlier that year stuck scott wheeler larue's 160 pounder in under a minute had no problem at all if i'm not mistaken wheeler nearly beat wolseifer later that year at state josh would have walked all over pat banks and ervin there's no contest here

Why couldn't Josh Cooper wrestle at state?

Why couldn't Josh Cooper wrestle at state?

he had a staph infection in his knee.  the story i heard was his knee was bothering him a little bit so a doctor wanted to drain some fluid from his knee and they think that gave him a staph infection.  he ended up having to be hospitalized i believe.  he wrestled at regionals and pinned to the finals and i think forfeited in the finals.  his knee was swollen to the size of his thigh.  he couldn't bend it and it looked very painful.  i agree he would have won state.  ervin might have given him a match, but he would have been big time under dog.  cooper could have handled golsby every time they wrestled (not a bad match as the bear suggested before).  didn't cooper win the GMVWA that year?

i mean choate and isaacs is always gonna be a one point match. and ashbrook and isaacs is always close to.

I dont think this is true.  If Choate had not been hurt most of the year you would of seen a more explosive offensive wrestler then what you seen at State.  Ask anyone that seen him wrestle over the summer when he was 100%  He would of beat Issacs by at least 5 if that was the case.

doubtful. and isaacs is so much better now as well now wrestling for cumberland. he has came a long way fast.

didn't cooper win the GMVWA that year?

Cooper took third at the GMVWA that year.  He lost in the semis to the kid from Graham who went on to win it. 

How does Isaacs being better now have anything to d o with last year?  I just cant put Sammy on the list. Sorry

Sammy Isaacs doesn't come close, don't get me wrong a 3x placer (8, 4, 2) is a pretty good career but there have been many that have had better careers that didn't win it.  Ashbrook was the class of last years 152's but obviously had a bad match in the semis and didn't get it done.  He might get a vote from me having placed 8th, 3rd, 2nd and 3rd.

Sammy Isaacs doesn't come close, don't get me wrong a 3x placer (8, 4, 2) is a pretty good career but there have been many that have had better careers that didn't win it.  Ashbrook was the class of last years 152's but obviously had a bad match in the semis and didn't get it done.  He might get a vote from me having placed 8th, 3rd, 2nd and 3rd.

I believe the class of the weight class is decided at the end of the year in the finals.  Ashbrooke wasn't there.  Ashbrooke was a great wrestler dont get me wrong, but Choate beat him and was the class of the 152's.  If he hadn't got hurt earlly in the season, I really do believe he would of only had one loss last year.  That loss was his first match and was to Wolfsiefer. 

I was ranked #1 all year and majored and pinned my way to the semi finals, I had a terrible match and he capitalized on that.  He beat me but losing that match is what has pushed me through my current college career and what has given me the drive and determination to overcome the loss and become something better than a state champ. I have goals of being an all-american and a national champ and wont quit till I achieve those goals. I think about losing that match everyday and will wrestle it a million times in my life but it is what pushes me through college wrestling.  If losing that match is the worst thing that happens to me in my life, then I will have done pretty good for myself lol.  I had a long career at Harrison County and enjoyed every minute of it. Being a 4X state placer is not to shabby but it doesn't satisfy me thats why I'm wrestling on the next level and have a chance to be an All American and wrestle on a great team with great coaches.

I was ranked #1 all year and majored and pinned my way to the semi finals, I had a terrible match and he capitalized on that.  He beat me but losing that match is what has pushed me through my current college career and what has given me the drive and determination to overcome the loss and become something better than a state champ. I have goals of being an all-american and a national champ and wont quit till I achieve those goals. I think about losing that match everyday and will wrestle it a million times in my life but it is what pushes me through college wrestling.  If losing that match is the worst thing that happens to me in my life, then I will have done pretty good for myself lol.  I had a long career at Harrison County and enjoyed every minute of it. Being a 4X state placer is not to shabby but it doesn't satisfy me thats why I'm wrestling on the next level and have a chance to be an All American and wrestle on a great team with great coaches.

And I am sure you will be an All-American a few times over, including a national champ.

I was ranked #1 all year and majored and pinned my way to the semi finals, I had a terrible match and he capitalized on that.  He beat me but losing that match is what has pushed me through my current college career and what has given me the drive and determination to overcome the loss and become something better than a state champ. I have goals of being an all-american and a national champ and wont quit till I achieve those goals. I think about losing that match everyday and will wrestle it a million times in my life but it is what pushes me through college wrestling.  If losing that match is the worst thing that happens to me in my life, then I will have done pretty good for myself lol.  I had a long career at Harrison County and enjoyed every minute of it. Being a 4X state placer is not to shabby but it doesn't satisfy me thats why I'm wrestling on the next level and have a chance to be an All American and wrestle on a great team with great coaches.

Just beat up on James Linker while you are there for me, he owes me money still... lol.  Hey, he's a former PRP 152 like Choate, use that as motivation when wrestling him.

I was ranked #1 all year and majored and pinned my way to the semi finals, I had a terrible match and he capitalized on that.  He beat me but losing that match is what has pushed me through my current college career and what has given me the drive and determination to overcome the loss and become something better than a state champ. I have goals of being an all-american and a national champ and wont quit till I achieve those goals. I think about losing that match everyday and will wrestle it a million times in my life but it is what pushes me through college wrestling.  If losing that match is the worst thing that happens to me in my life, then I will have done pretty good for myself lol.  I had a long career at Harrison County and enjoyed every minute of it. Being a 4X state placer is not to shabby but it doesn't satisfy me thats why I'm wrestling on the next level and have a chance to be an All American and wrestle on a great team with great coaches.

Just beat up on James Linker while you are there for me, he owes me money still... lol.  Hey, he's a former PRP 152 like Choate, use that as motivation when wrestling him.

Linker and I wrestle all the time, I cycle through him and Bryan Wells during our live go's and matches.  He's a great guy and wrestler. We actually wrestled at the Maroon and Grey Classic thispast Oct.

Linker is a good wrestler and an even better person. He has came along way since high school, he is tough as nails.

Linker and I wrestle all the time, I cycle through him and Bryan Wells during our live go's and matches.  .

Jason Booher from Campbell Co. in the late 90s. He was 4th as a junior, 3rd as a senior. At state duals his senior year teams would forfeit to him even though they had a 189 pounder. He was dominating kids all year, and even beating on Campbell's 215 who went on to win state. He then ran into Dave Moore from Henry Clay in the semi finals.

Greg Cecil and Sean Cecil where very solid.  Greg rab into a very Stacked 112 his senior year, and Sean never could make that extra step.

The title of this is "BEST WRESTLER"

Robert Smith, (Who I think was mentioned and Billy Whitehouse may be the only two IMO that would qualify)

I don't think any of these would qualify in this catagory.

Honerable Mention from your list

Cody Walls- Very patient wrestler but not spectacular.

Nate Johnson-did not wrestle his senior year.

Stanly Stone and Keith Lageman, maybe should have won their senior year but once again very good wrestlers but not great.

Smith went to eastern right?

Doesnt he fight MMA and coach at kcd with Coach G from North Oldham's middle school program during summer?

The title of this is "BEST WRESTLER"

Robert Smith, (Who I think was mentioned and Billy Whitehouse may be the only two IMO that would qualify)

I don't think any of these would qualify in this catagory.

Honerable Mention from your list

Cody Walls- Very patient wrestler but not spectacular.

Nate Johnson-did not wrestle his senior year.

Stanly Stone and Keith Lageman, maybe should have won their senior year but once again very good wrestlers but not great.

I don't think Smith really belongs on this list either, placing 6th and 4th I believe.  Whitehouse and his team mate, Mark Shaver, definitely belong though.  Both were 2 time finalist, and both lost very close final's matches - Whitehouse in OT his senior year, and Shaver blowing a huge lead over Hagedorn, eventually losing in OT.

Smith went to eastern right?

Doesnt he fight MMA and coach at kcd with Coach G from North Oldham's middle school program during summer?

Yeah Rob is fighting MMA now at 145 and 135, and he coaches North Oldham middle school with Coach G. As far one of the best to never win it, I agree that Rob is on the list. Him and Jordan Lewis were the only 2 I ever saw even keep it close with Murton in the state of KY. Rob nearly pinned him in their semifinal match. Rob was clearly the 2nd best 135 that year but just didn't care after his loss to Murton. He could headlock almost anyone in the state, even though everyone knew it was comin.

I don't know if Whitehouse belongs, Shaver probably though because he did in fact blow a huge lead in the finals.

Yeah I really wanted him to pin Murton too.

All of you can say what you want about who the best wrestlers to never win state are, but if you ask me, I'll tell you straight up. I think the best wrestlers to never win state were Beau Sanders, Josh Ashbrook, and Ryan Ross. 8-) All three were some of the best technitions to ever wrestle in this state, there just always seemed to be some thing in the way. I also think that if Beau Sanders and Josh Ashbrook had switched weights, they both would have won state, but thats just my opinion and opinions don't matter. :wink:

Jeff Branch from FC 1981 119.  By far the best in the weight class.  He ran a double arm bar past 90.  Ref called a point for it and the kid laid down on him.  DQ'ed.  The state champ that year was from eastern and Jeff beat him all year long.

Also Todd May which has been said.  Just want to give some props.

Jeff Branch from FC 1981 119.  By far the best in the weight class.  He ran a double arm bar past 90.  Ref called a point for it and the kid laid down on him.  DQ'ed.  The state champ that year was from eastern and Jeff beat him all year long.

Also Todd May which has been said.  Just want to give some props.

He related to Derric Branch?

He related to Derric Branch?

I am wondering the same thing.  I meant that the state champ that year was in the same district.  I am sure they met several times.  I do not know the records but do know Jeff won Dist and Regional.  So thats at least twice he beat him.  He also beat the guy that got 2nd during the regional.     

He related to Derric Branch?

Jeff is Derric's dad...

Jeff's really good as a coach too, great at creating new moves and unique counters!

He has a way of seeing things others dont!

All of you can say what you want about who the best wrestlers to never win state are, but if you ask me, I'll tell you straight up. I think the best wrestlers to never win state were Beau Sanders, Josh Ashbrook, and Ryan Ross. 8-) All three were some of the best technitions to ever wrestle in this state, there just always seemed to be some thing in the way. I also think that if Beau Sanders and Josh Ashbrook had switched weights, they both would have won state, but thats just my opinion and opinions don't matter. :wink:

You didn't go to Harrison Co did you?  Ashbrook belongs on the list but Sanders never impressed me as awesome even though he lost to Courtney twice in the finals.

Ryan Ross?  What puts him on this list?

In recent years in Nky you have to have.

1.  Josh Cooper

2.  Daniel Thuenerman

Both no-dobters on the list

Then possible other two.

3.  Brian Wilson (CC)

4.  John Golsby (Hol)

Both of which I believe defeated Ryan Ross

You didn't go to Harrison Co did you?  Ashbrook belongs on the list but Sanders never impressed me as awesome even though he lost to Courtney twice in the finals.

i always thought that sanders was better. i at least liked watching him more, he was more exciting to me. ashbrooke just always seemed slow, and very very technical, you didnt see him do much except counter. won lots of matches though, i guess if it works then keep doing it.

i always thought that sanders was better. i at least liked watching him more, he was more exciting to me. ashbrooke just always seemed slow, and very very technical, you didnt see him do much except counter. won lots of matches though, i guess if it works then keep doing it.

[/quote

I don't think you watched Ashbrook wrestle very much, he was nothing but an offensive wrestler and was not slow by any means, you did get one thing right though he was very technical.  Sanders was a very good wrestler too, IMO he was more of a defensive/counter wrestler.

In Northern Kentucky past five years I include:

Daniel Thuenerman

Josh Cooper

Keith Lageman

Jason Walls-Union County

Jeff Branch couldnt wrestle his way out of a wet paper bag! Just kidding jeff please dont hurt me.

ANDREW TINSLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Northern Kentucky past five years I include:

Daniel Thuenerman

Josh Cooper

Keith Lageman

I agree with all these. Keith Lageman was one of the most athletic heavyweights I ever saw -- not the flab most heavys have. Also a very decent young man.

Actually cooper was not beating me 10 to 0. I remember. I was losing 2 to 1. And i reached back in the 3rd period and got stuck. And i never gave up a match in my life. Just dumb mistakes cost me. I worked hard to get where i was. I was basically my own drill partner, and i didnt have the money to go to all the fancy camps or all the summer tournaments. I had to help my mother with wit bills. And i feel like if your not me then you cant say i gave up. Golsby is not a quits boy! My pick is Daniel blevens from Holmes. I feel if he believed he could win state he would have.     

Preach on brotha.. :-o  I feel you on not having money for them camps and not having the best drill partner.  Hell my senior year our new coach was an idiot and new nothing about the sport.. Self made man baby!!!!!!!!!

Actually cooper was not beating me 10 to 0. I remember. I was losing 2 to 1. And i reached back in the 3rd period and got stuck. And i never gave up a match in my life. Just dumb mistakes cost me. I worked hard to get where i was. I was basically my own drill partner, and i didnt have the money to go to all the fancy camps or all the summer tournaments. I had to help my mother with wit bills. And i feel like if your not me then you cant say i gave up. Golsby is not a quits boy! My pick is Daniel blevens from Holmes. I feel if he believed he could win state he would have.     

Did Blevins even place at state, I remember we use to wrestle and I never lost to him. I did not even place at state

blevins placed at state.  lost in Ot to baker in semis, he tooled him two weeks before state but didnt wrestle his best in that match.  he beat the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th place guys that year, but ended up sixth.  what school did you wrestle for?

I am talking when he wrestled 215 the year before

Wrong guy wrestling4life;  Blevins wrestled Hwt both his Jr. and Sr. year.  He did wrestle a couple of matches at 215 his Jr. year. (I beleive only in the NKAC).  He prefered wrestling the big guys.  I can only remember 1 guy he never defeated at 215 or lower. SK?

i really havent seen to many region 3 names on here so what about these:

i really havent seen to many region 3 names on here so what about these:

Tony Perry comes to mind.  2x runner up.

eric preher-valley

darren mitchell-doss

james linker-prp

sam durbin-fairdale

clifford johnson-southern

damon luttrell-fairdale

tony perry-valley

mcdonald-fairdale then transferred to valley and was unable to wrestle

eric preher-valley

darren mitchell-doss

james linker-prp

sam durbin-fairdale

clifford johnson-southern

damon luttrell-fairdale

tony perry-valley

mcdonald-fairdale then transferred to valley and was unable to wrestle

Being a region 3 fan and supporter its hard to say but since I have been around (10 years),  we have not really had anyone that would crack the main list.  I will say that all the people you mentioned were great wrestlers that had a shot at winning a title.  I would add to your list Chris Sullivan, Gary Jennings, Cody Moy from prp, James Badgett(BC), Justin Medlin(Western) to name a few that came up short.

eric preher-valley

darren mitchell-doss

james linker-prp

sam durbin-fairdale

clifford johnson-southern

damon luttrell-fairdale

tony perry-valley

mcdonald-fairdale then transferred to valley and was unable to wrestle

Actually, McDonald placed 4th in 2000 for Valley.  He then transfered to PRP and was ineligable to wrestle his senior year.  And, I must say, the names old140 added were some good ones.

Fern Creek's  Jeff Branch. 

Actually, McDonald placed 4th in 2000 for Valley.  He then transfered to PRP and was ineligable to wrestle his senior year.  And, I must say, the names old140 added were some good ones.

thanks...knew it was something like that

also what about chris purcell from ST.X....

billy fuller?

billy fuller?

I wouldn't go that far. He had talent but no way should he be on this list.

Shetler from South Oldham in 98 couldnt have been that good I beat him at state by pin in the first period and I only wrestled two months of my life before state my senior year.  Not that I am awsome by any means ...right the opposite actually thats my point. Maybe he was injured or something because I think he screamed in pain when I pinned him.  Then the refs may have stopped the match after that, so I dont know if I got the pin or they stopped the match... But the ref slapped the mat and seemed as though I pinned him.  I only got 5th place too so I dont know if getting beat by a no body who learned three moves before state makes you one of the all time greats.  I dont know maybe he was.  Hey maybe I was one of the greats....uhh definatley not.  Would have been cool to learn more moves early on as a freshman at least or something.  Athletic ability only gets you so far.  Not to mention I wrestled like I was fighting just no punches.  Took every match personally.  I wanted to destroy opponents and I think that mean streak is what got me through.  Again maybe he was previously injured before the match  who knows.

what about CURT LISKA (scott), i dont think he ever won....might be wrong

Daniel Thunenman? Not sure if I got the spelling right, but this guy was a stud.

i think baue sanders was good i think he was a 2 time state runner up

There are several names that come to mind who I feel need to be in this list.

Marc Barrett of Campbell County

Dave Fuehner of Simon Kenton 2X State Runner Up

Cliff Woods of Simon Kenton

John Roth of Simon Kenton, he was ranked 1st all year his senior year, he beat Pat Martz of Conner 4 out of the 5 times he wrestled him.

Mike Bankemper of Campbell County

Danny Barnes of Simon Kenton

Gary Alphin of Simon Kenton

Big Stevie Mason of Christian County.  Very athletic heavyweight but I came up short.

what about CURT LISKA (scott), i dont think he ever won....might be wrong

Curt was a stud too, he never won it.  i believe he lost to kyle cooper (SK)in the finals, but he beat him every other time they wrestled i believe, i know he beat him at regionals the week before, just lost when it mattered the most

Just thought of an interesting fact some of the folks new to KY wrestling may not know. If you've followed UK football, you know senior defensive tackle Myron Pryor. Here's a fairly recent link about him: http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011409aad.html

What you may not know, however, is that Myron wrestled for Eastern High his freshman and sophmore years and started the season his junior year. He couldn't make weight, though, and ended up dropping out. At the time heavyweight was 275 max, and Myron weighed around 285. Myron could bench press more than anyone at Eastern then and now, and he was also very fast for a guy his size. He just manhandled the guys he wrestled.

Since Myron got recruited by KY and is likely going to the NFL, he didn't need wrestling, but it's fun to think of what might have been.

david lebrum boone county he should have beatin mason last year at 171

If Ryan Houchens doesn't win it this year im saying he's the best to never win it all.

david lebrum boone county he should have beatin mason last year at 171

I hope thats a joke.......

There are several names that come to mind who I feel need to be in this list.

Marc Barrett of Campbell County

Dave Fuehner of Simon Kenton 2X State Runner Up

Cliff Woods of Simon Kenton

John Roth of Simon Kenton, he was ranked 1st all year his senior year, he beat Pat Martz of Conner 4 out of the 5 times he wrestled him.

Mike Bankemper of Campbell County

Danny Barnes of Simon Kenton

Gary Alphin of Simon Kenton

John Roth lost to Pat Martz 4 out of 5 times they wrestled.    Dave Barnes did win state.

There are several names that come to mind who I feel need to be in this list.

Marc Barrett of Campbell County

Dave Fuehner of Simon Kenton 2X State Runner Up

Cliff Woods of Simon Kenton

John Roth of Simon Kenton, he was ranked 1st all year his senior year, he beat Pat Martz of Conner 4 out of the 5 times he wrestled him.

Mike Bankemper of Campbell County

Danny Barnes of Simon Kenton

Gary Alphin of Simon Kenton

biased much?

Got a feeling there will be a couple of names to add to this list after this weekend is over.  There are some very tough weight classes this year.

welp houchens lost so i'm gunna have to say houchens a thuneunman

My vote would have to go for Andrew Tinsley from Caldwell County. He would have walked through state a few times, if it wasn't for arguably one of the best wrestlers in the history of Kentucky wrestling, Joe Car. I remember watching the match in Hopkinsville when Car was a junior, and Tinsley put him on his back, and the had a dogfight the rest of the way. Then, at state that year, Joe caught him and stuck him in the finals.

A few others from that end of the state around that time, Josh Walls from Union, he ran into a stacked 152 that year, and Anthony Smith from Christian County is a good argument, and one I haven't seen yet, is Luke Pniewski, 2x runner up, and choked in the finals his senior year. He had several battles with George King from Union the year before.

Luke Pniewski???  hehe... Luke was a good guy and made it his Junior year only because they put King and William Randle in the same side ( wich was a better match than the finals if I remember) but He probably should have won it at some point... He wrestled for many years, as did the Bruce's, Diaz, and Reco Merritt... but all fell short.  That reminds me of TJ Iverson.. He  acctualy beat Tendi one year during the season but fell short at state as well. Think he lost in the Semis to a Sheldon Clark Wrestler.

Luke Pniewski???  hehe... Luke was a good guy and made it his Junior year only because they put King and William Randle in the same side ( wich was a better match than the finals if I remember) but He probably should have won it at some point... He wrestled for many years, as did the Bruce's, Diaz, and Reco Merritt... but all fell short.  That reminds me of TJ Iverson.. He  acctualy beat Tendi one year during the season but fell short at state as well. Think he lost in the Semis to a Sheldon Clark Wrestler.

I think Iverson beat Tendi a couple of times, but he was another one that just never did get over the hump.

Add Houchens to that list!

There are several names that come to mind who I feel need to be in this list.

Marc Barrett of Campbell County

Dave Fuehner of Simon Kenton 2X State Runner Up

Cliff Woods of Simon Kenton

John Roth of Simon Kenton, he was ranked 1st all year his senior year, he beat Pat Martz of Conner 4 out of the 5 times he wrestled him.

Mike Bankemper of Campbell County

Danny Barnes of Simon Kenton

Gary Alphin of Simon Kenton

John Roth lost to Pat Martz 4 out of 5 times they wrestled.    Dave Barnes did win state.

Thanks for responding "kids", but yes Dave Barnes did win state, as you can see from sitouts post, DANNY BARNES did not win state, this is Dave Barnes brother.

And get your facts correct.....John Roth did beat Pat Martz 4 times his senior year. I know because I remember watching these matches everytime it happened. Roth beat Martz in a dual meet, at the King of the Bluegrass tournament, the Districts and the Regions.

Todd May 167 lbs. 3 time state runner-up 82,83,84

I also think Pat Banks of Larue Co (145lbs) is one of the best wrestlers I've ever seen. He was also beat by one of Ky's all-time best wrestler, Harrison Courtney.

agreed.

yes pat banks is an amazing wrestler and is one of the best to never win a state title andwow tht 3 time state runner up must be horrible like daniel thuneuman he lost to the eventual state champion every year in the semis i think and it was usually sloser then the finals match. i know he wrestled courtney his senior year and it went into over time then courtney pinned sanders in the finals so banks and thuneuman are my top 2.

I think you have to throw in Dion Washington from Woodford if you're considering being in the finals three times.  3x finalist at heavy weight and I believe 3rd his freshman year.  This is very impressive considering juniors and seniors usually dominate this weight class and a few below it.

I think you have to throw in Dion Washington from Woodford if you're considering being in the finals three times.  3x finalist at heavy weight and I believe 3rd his freshman year.  This is very impressive considering juniors and seniors usually dominate this weight class and a few below it.

That is impressive.

I think James Badgett he just never got all the way serious

David Barton from Paducah Tilghman. He started wrestling his junior year and took second his senior year by a one or two points decision in the finals. His takedowns were amazing and still are to this day.

Dion Washington was a man beast, just never got it done in the end.

Houchens shouldn't be on the list.  Good wrestler, wasn't mean enough.  Didn't take it to his opponants enough.

Thuneman, hell yes.  T Bird was a bad little man.  Is his still wrestling for Army?

Dion Washington was a man beast, just never got it done in the end.

Houchens shouldn't be on the list.  Good wrestler, wasn't mean enough.  Didn't take it to his opponants enough.

Thuneman, hell yes.  T Bird was a bad little man.  Is his still wrestling for Army?

Are you serious? Houchens should without a doubt be on the list of Best To Never Win a State Championship. He was an all around great wrestler, who just seemed to run into stud after stud every year, and he never cut weight or tried to run from great wrestlers.

Nope.  Cant agree.  He was a good technical wrestler, and strong as an ox, but not mean at all.  too nice a kid.  Thats why he never won the big one.

Nope.  Cant agree.  He was a good technical wrestler, and strong as an ox, but not mean at all.  too nice a kid.  Thats why he never won the big one.

Well I guess that this is where we agree to disagree. I don't think that you have to be mean to win it all. You do. Ok.

Yeah, if we all agreed we'd be commies.

But for real you need mean.  just tht i'll break your balls out your sack and throw em to your momma mean.

Jeremiah walls

Jeremiah walls

I think you are a little young/inexperienced to be on this website. Lol... jk guys

Yeah, if we all agreed we'd be commies.

But for real you need mean.  just tht i'll break your balls out your sack and throw em to your momma mean.

I have to support one of my teammates, Tendai was a MAN-I-MAL.  That guy was speed and strength personified.  It was like wrestling a small bear in practice.

Well I guess that this is where we agree to disagree. I don't think that you have to be mean to win it all. You do. Ok.

Im Glad someone is looking out for me, I'll try to mean up for you guys in college

ANDREW TINSLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was a good wrestler but not deserving on this list.  He had 1 or 2 good throws per match, then usually ended up getting worked on the mat.

IMO thats crazy for u to say that.... He only lost to Carr (twice) his senior year.  The 1st match Carr was clearly stuck (but thats another thread, look it up if u wish to debate)  But Tinsley for sure belongs on the list.

I can think of someone but I doubt anyone would agree cause his only big wins were against a Sophomore Aaron Carr, a Junior Andre Zeppa, and a split series with Jake Wempe

of course me and dusty stengal

I can think of someone but I doubt anyone would agree cause his only big wins were against a Sophomore Aaron Carr, a Junior Andre Zeppa, and a split series with Jake Wempe

Buttranger?

Buttranger?

ha nice way of putting has name. But give me a break I didnt come here until after the Campbells and Johnsons

IMO thats crazy for u to say that.... He only lost to Carr (twice) his senior year.  The 1st match Carr was clearly stuck (but thats another thread, look it up if u wish to debate)  But Tinsley for sure belongs on the list.

I guess it depends on how big of a list we are talking about.  I was thinking more along the lines of top 10 that have never won state and he wouldn't make my list there.  But everyone has their own opinion.

ha nice way of putting has name. But give me a break I didnt come here until after the Campbells and Johnsons

He was a good wrestler, I always thought it was an intresting last name.

He was a good wrestler but not deserving on this list.  He had 1 or 2 good throws per match, then usually ended up getting worked on the mat.

I don't agree.  He won the Mater Dei tournament against very, very good competition.  During that time frame teams came from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and the best in Indiana.  I agree he was not a great wrestler on top, but he had a very quick standup and escape.  His conditioning was a bit suspect, but Andrew Tinsley was one of the better wrestlers to never win state.

During that time frame teams came from

I don't agree.  He won the Mater Dei tournament against very, very good competition.  During that time frame teams came from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and the best in Indiana.  I agree he was not a great wrestler on top, but he had a very quick standup and escape.  His conditioning was a bit suspect, but Andrew Tinsley was one of the better wrestlers to never win state.

Ok, he's on my list at #18.  :-D

Just kidding.  I do think he was a good wrestler.  I just don't put him in the same category as some of the others on this thread (Josh Cooper, Daniel Thunneman, Pat Banks, Todd May, Dion Washington, Mark Richardson).

ive said it before, but ill say it again. to me daniel thueneman has got to be the best to never win. i mean was he a three time third placer? losing to the guy that won it those three times? he was a hell of a wrestler, and the only wrestler i can ever remember watching wrestle courtney and wonder who was going to win.

ive said it before, but ill say it again. to me daniel thueneman has got to be the best to never win. i mean was he a three time third placer? losing to the guy that won it those three times? he was a hell of a wrestler, and the only wrestler i can ever remember watching wrestle courtney and wonder who was going to win.

I agree with you on all accounts except he never made it to the finals.  Statistically he might be the best but three 2nd place finishes seems more prestigious obviously because it's a step higher on the podium.

I think it was Nelly's song that said "two is not a winner and three nobody remembers".  Lol it's kind of true.

ive said it before, but ill say it again. to me daniel thueneman has got to be the best to never win. i mean was he a three time third placer? losing to the guy that won it those three times? he was a hell of a wrestler, and the only wrestler i can ever remember watching wrestle courtney and wonder who was going to win.

Courtney had some tough close matches with Pat Banks his freshman year. I honestly couldn't predict who was gonna win between the two. I'm pretty sure Banks was the last KY boy to beat Courtney.

Courtney had some tough close matches with Pat Banks his freshman year. I honestly couldn't predict who was gonna win between the two. I'm pretty sure Banks was the last KY boy to beat Courtney.

to beat him on or off season?

to beat him on or off season?

Banks beat him at state duals I believe Courtney's freshman year.  Hitchings beat him last yea rin the offseason.

I thought Theuneman beat Courtney during Courtney's sophomore season once, maybe at the South Oldham tourney?

i dont know if that is true jpizar, it seems i would remember if courtney lost a match to thueneman at south oldham, cause i loved watching both of them wrestle, and tates creek attends that tournament. although, you may be right, but im leaning more towards you are thinking of something else, or some other tournament at a different time.

It was Courtneys 8th grade year

yeah possum, im pretty sure thats right, i think i remember hearing something about that.

Wow this thread is still going.

Man im getting old..

josh ashbrook never won state

yeah possum, im pretty sure thats right, i think i remember hearing something about that.

Trust me, Possum is right.  If anyone knows, Possum knows.

Anthony Smith- Christian County

2nd his Sophomore year at 112 (1998)

4th his Junior year (because of the worst call ever, but that's another story) at 112 (1999)

2nd his Senior year at 119 (2000)

I'm sorry, is this the same Anthony Smith who threw a tantrum when he lost and had a rotten attitude?  May have had some strong skills in wrestling, but the guy wasn't a class act.  Shaun Cecil was a strong technical wrestler who just couldn't get past the semis.  Kid placed in state every year since 8th grade. 

Here we go again... This thread is 4 years old

Ha Ha ... I got to call Coach Smith and tell him to read this..  :-D :-D

I was waiting for this thread to pop up again. 

I knew it would with Cory Shotwell not winning a title.  :-D

korey shotwell cambell county

I saw korey shotwell losing. Idk why I just saw it. he has all the talent but it seems he freezes at state year after year.

But best to not win state.. Josh Cooper. I think he would have still placed top 4 his senior year with only won leg!

David Diaz from Hoptown should be on this list as well. I believe he placed 3rd his junior and senior years, 97 and 98.

Matt Slone- Sheldon Clark  5x all stater

shotwell was sick all week thts why he didnt do very good i mean 3rd is good and all but still he had a chance to win it.........plus he hadnt been pin sence the 7th grade then he got pin last saturday so i would say korey wins this:)

Zac Brown - Tates Creek

David Diaz from Hoptown should be on this list as well. I believe he placed 3rd his junior and senior years, 97 and 98.

I placed 6th my 10th grade year as well..    :wink:  :wink:  thanks for the vote

How bout Josh cooper. 2x finalist, 4x placer but was injured his senior year and didnt get to compete. He was the clear favorite that year

Josh cooper still. lol Still wins. sorry Eli matthews But he did get pinned. Sooooooooooo?

Josh Cooper walked through the Conference toureny his senior year prior to his injury.  I belive he pinned everyone.  And that would include pinning Ryan Dillon who placed 6th and John Golsby that placed 5th that year. 

shotwell was sick all week thts why he didnt do very good i mean 3rd is good and all but still he had a chance to win it.........plus he hadnt been pin sence the 7th grade then he got pin last saturday so i would say korey wins this:)

After to losing in the finals against Dusty last year, there was no Ohlman was going to be denied. If he had lost, he would be on this list.

After to losing in the finals against Dusty last year, there was no Ohlman was going to be denied. If he had lost, he would be on this list.

But he didn't so he's not, he got the state championship he earned...But nice subtle attempt at getting us to talk about Trinity some more. 

How about this?  Who wants to talk about high school coaches that stayed in Frankfort an extra day to talk/"recruit" at the elementary state tournament.

Wonder about the legality of that?  What about the what that says about what a person's willing to do to win.  Maybe that's the same type of person who's willing to influence a young ref to get a pin, that you now is not?

Congrats to Grant, he definitely did work during the state tourney.  I was one who was rooting for Terrence, but that doesn't necessitate that I was rooting againt Grant.

Would it be "legal" for a high school coach to be @ the elementary state tournament if his grandson were wrestling?  It would be a shame if the KHSAA were to start banning grandpas from these tournaments.  BTW...Trinity landed Fern Creek's Jackson Mingus(6 yr. old) over the weekend.  He signed his letter of intent after the in-home visit!!!!  A good get for the Rocks.

It sure wasn't his daughter or daughter in law he was talking to. Definately not his grandson either.

That's OK Ryle doesn't recruit in state.  Thet are wroking on 2 Iowa kids and 1 rfrom New Jersey  :roll:

D.C. Evans he should have beat Travis Sullivan

Brian Branson from the now extinct Webster County wrestling team.  He wrestled the 87-88 season and beat then #1 ranked Giorgio Hiatt from Fort Campbell.  He won the district and region.  Then got illegally slammed at Atherton which disqualified his opponent.  As a result, Branson couldn't continue due to injury and ended up getting 6th. 

Ha Ha ... I got to call Coach Smith and tell him to read this..  :-D :-D

Very good, maybe he can teach the his kids the perception about throwing headgear after a loss.  lol

OK mouse35 we get it you obviously have a burr in your bonnet over Coach Smith.  However, people change, they grow up and mature. I suggest you do the same. Anthony Smith the wrestler of 10 years ago, is not the same as Coach Smith today. He is a fine coach & good leader/role model for our wrestlers today.

That's OK Ryle doesn't recruit in state.  Thet are wroking on 2 Iowa kids and 1 rfrom New Jersey  :roll:

This maybe the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life. Do you have sources in Iowa and New Jersey or something? The fact of the matter is most states wont let kids wrestle in Varsity in being in MS still so they move south. This is one the closest states for some of those wrestlers to wrestle at. Lets face it if you look over the last 6 years Ryle has been the most consistent program and thats where they go. They have a great program and a great assistant coach in Rick Barker. Everyone always loves to hate the program thats on top. Im sure they are talking to Hall and trying to get him to stay but who wouldnt. I am also sure if you knew this for a fact you would be the first one crying to the KHSAA. Ryle's coaching staff is a group of not only good coaches but classy guys.

I am pretty sure oldwrestler was being sarcastic, hence the little smiley he added at the end.

yes it was sarcasm

OK mouse35 we get it you obviously have a burr in your bonnet over Coach Smith.  However, people change, they grow up and mature. I suggest you do the same. Anthony Smith the wrestler of 10 years ago, is not the same as Coach Smith today. He is a fine coach & good leader/role model for our wrestlers today.

lol burr in the bonnet, that's good stuff.  It's nice to hear that Coach Smith has been touched by the maturity bug and is giving back to the sport.  When I think of the best to never win state, it's the overall person.  Not just the skills, but the right attitude, heart, and sportsmanship.  In his high school years, and I haven't heard anyone disagree, he had a bad attitude.  I wasn't slamming the man, just the wrestler I remember.  And if he has taught his kids how to win well and lose with integrity, then my hat's off to him.  As far as maturing myself, I was already there in the late 80's.  lol

Sounds like when he was a teenager he acted like A TEENAGER.

True, however my team back in the day always displayed good sportsmanship.  And so did most of the teams in our district.  Even as teenagers, those traits should be important.  I coach middle school, assist with high school, and also coach freestyle and greco.  And all of my wrestlers shake the opposing coaches' hands after matches.  There's no kicking furniture, profanity, or throwing things after matches.  It shows a lack of class for the wrestler, the coaches, and the school.  Granted, I didn't see much of this in Western KY, and I could count on one hand the times it did happen.  But it lasts for years.  Again, kudos to Coach Smith and the job he's doing.  Christian County was a strong program during the late 80's and early 90's and Hoptown was a monster back then.   

Another great wrestler never to win was Troy Nichols from Caldwell County.  Placed 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd in the mid 90s.

Shoulda coulda woulda

You either know how to win or you don't, that's what defines a champion.

So what's your point for the shoulda, coulda, woulda? 

The topic of the thread is best never to win state.

Brian Branson was, by far, the best wrestler in the state his senior year.  He was actually ranked #1 the year i won state.  He manhandled all of us at every tournament up to that point.  I had 8 losses that year in KY--four from him.  The others were divided equally between the same two guys in our region/district.  So the same four guys from our region took 1, 2, 4, and 6 in state.  Brian didn't lose to anyone of them that year and every tournament we went to one of the others of us would beat each other and meet Brian in the finals.  So Brian was actually undefeated that year--and would have likely stayed so.  I've never wrestled someone with such natural balance and raw strength. 

Giorgio Hiatt, the guy who won state that year.

Brian Branson was, by far, the best wrestler in the state his senior year.  He was actually ranked #1 the year i won state.  He manhandled all of us at every tournament up to that point.  I had 8 losses that year in KY--four from him.  The others were divided equally between the same two guys in our region/district.  So the same four guys from our region took 1, 2, 4, and 6 in state.  Brian didn't lose to anyone of them that year and every tournament we went to one of the others of us would beat each other and meet Brian in the finals.  So Brian was actually undefeated that year--and would have likely stayed so.  I've never wrestled someone with such natural balance and raw strength. 

Giorgio Hiatt, the guy who won state that year.

Didnt you wrestle for Fort Campbell?

Brian Branson was, by far, the best wrestler in the state his senior year.  He was actually ranked #1 the year i won state.  He manhandled all of us at every tournament up to that point.  I had 8 losses that year in KY--four from him.  The others were divided equally between the same two guys in our region/district.  So the same four guys from our region took 1, 2, 4, and 6 in state.  Brian didn't lose to anyone of them that year and every tournament we went to one of the others of us would beat each other and meet Brian in the finals.  So Brian was actually undefeated that year--and would have likely stayed so.  I've never wrestled someone with such natural balance and raw strength. 

Giorgio Hiatt, the guy who won state that year.

Thanks for the response Giorgio, I remember you were always a class act and respected in the district. 

Very good, maybe he can teach the his kids the perception about throwing headgear after a loss.  lol

That must have been the match where Jason Johnston of Caldwell County caught him in a cradle and pinned him.  They probably would have met again in the Regional Finals, had Anthony made weight.

This thread had been going on forever.  I will still stand by the two who are from the past.  Those of you who are old grapplers like myself may recognize these names.

1990-1993  Deon Washington (Woodford Co.)  1990 4th at HWT. 1991, 1992, 1993 2nd place (HWT)

1983-1987  John Poindexter (Hopkinsville)  1983 state qualifier (98)  1984 5th (105) 1985 2nd (112) 1986 3rd (119) 1987 2nd (132)

This thread had been going on forever.  I will still stand by the two who are from the past.  Those of you who are old grapplers like myself may recognize these names.

1990-1993  Deon Washington (Woodford Co.)  1990 4th at HWT. 1991, 1992, 1993 2nd place (HWT)

1983-1987  John Poindexter (Hopkinsville)  1983 state qualifier (98)  1984 5th (105) 1985 2nd (112) 1986 3rd (119) 1987 2nd (132)

Oh I remember Deon.  They came down to our cracker jack box gym for a dual and I'll never forget watching him run to make weight.  A freshman heavyweight running to make weight.  He was darn tough.

Thanks for the response Giorgio, I remember you were always a class act and respected in the district.

Fort Campbell was a beast back in the 70s and early 80s. They were competitive in the 90s.. But not anywhere near Hoptown and Christian County.

Id say the best wrestler I have seen at Fort Campbell to not win state are: Both Campbell brothers, Nate Johnson, Matt Mines, Buttranger (had so much potential but was lazy) Zach Rhinestine and one who should of placed but got screwed by the body fat testing, Robbie Sahms from this past year.

I know of some guys from the early 90s but I can not remember names. I have watched old film from districts of some awesome guys from Western KY.

Fort Campbell was a beast back in the 70s and early 80s. They were competitive in the 90s.. But not anywhere near Hoptown and Christian County.

Id say the best wrestler I have seen at Fort Campbell to not win state are: Both Campbell brothers, Nate Johnson, Matt Mines, Buttranger (had so much potential but was lazy) Zach Rhinestine and one who should of placed but got screwed by the body fat testing, Robbie Sahms from this past year.

I know of some guys from the early 90s but I can not remember names. I have watched old film from districts of some awesome guys from Western KY.

Dont forget Alan Johnson, he was more lazy then Zack though and neither Johnson brother wrestled their senior year

Actually neither of the younger Johnson brothers could hold a candle to their older brother Pascal, who did actually wrestle all four years rather than quit when the going to tough. Pascal did finish 6th at 171 in 2000. His biggest achievement next to placing was lasting the longest against the eventual champion George King of Union County. He lasted 1:59. No one else who wrestled King that weekend lasted longer :49 seconds. Fort Campbell has had some tough wrestlers. The most recent being  Dwayne Martin 2nd at 119 in 2004, and Matt Mines 2nd at 135 in 2006.