OT wrestling history question.
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There were several. Keep in mind that wrestling eligibility has had four eras - 3 years until WWII, 4 years from 1947 until the late '50s or early '60s, back to 3 years and then the current 4 years. I don't have a complete list, but here are some. From Oklahoma State, pre-war: Earl McCready, Jack Van Bebber, Rex Peery and Joe McDaniel. In the early '60s period The Cowboys had Yojiro Uetake Obata. Bill Koll is an interesting case. He won all of his matches his sophomore year at ISTC, but enlisted in the army before the NCAA tournament. He then came home from the war and won 3 titles. There are probably more, and I may do some research later.
Coincidentally, Wrestling for Life is partnering with Joe McDaniel's daughter, Mary Jo, on a program to get wrestling shoes to kids and schools that need them.
Quick - (no Googling) - who was the first true freshman to win an NCAA title?
Coincidentally, Wrestling for Life is partnering with Joe McDaniel's daughter, Mary Jo, on a program to get wrestling shoes to kids and schools that need them.
Quick - (no Googling) - who was the first true freshman to win an NCAA title?
I am going to guess one of the guys from Cornell back in the 40's because I actually just read an article on them not long ago, Lowell Lange. And would have been a 4 timer if not for a car accident.
This isn't a "google" answer since I dug up all this stuff for the NCAA Championship Guide I sell as a digital download each year.
In 1968, the NCAA started allowing freshmen to compete in all sports except football and basketball. In 1972, the door was opened to every athlete.
I have some trouble accepting 1968 (per wikipedia), because Michigan State's Greg Johnson was a three-time champion (1970, 1971, 1972) and Jay Hammond's database shows Johnson didn't compete in 1969, so for the purpose of this exercise, I've found there to be 10 three-time champions in the era of only three eligibility years.
Here's what I've got:
Wrestler, School, First title, Last title
Johnson, Greg Michigan State 1970 1972
Caruso, Mike Lehigh 1965 1967
Uetake, Yojiro Oklahoma State 1964 1966
Simons, Gray Lock Haven 1959 1962
Hayes, Larry Iowa State 1959 1961
Hodge, Dan Oklahoma 1955 1957
Peery, Ed Pittsburgh 1955 1957
Roderick, Myron Oklahoma State 1954 1956
Peery, Hugh Pittsburgh 1952 1954
Young, Keith Northern Iowa 1949 1951
In 1968, the NCAA started allowing freshmen to compete in all sports except football and basketball. In 1972, the door was opened to every athlete.
I have some trouble accepting 1968 (per wikipedia), because Michigan State's Greg Johnson was a three-time champion (1970, 1971, 1972) and Jay Hammond's database shows Johnson didn't compete in 1969, so for the purpose of this exercise, I've found there to be 10 three-time champions in the era of only three eligibility years.
Here's what I've got:
Wrestler, School, First title, Last title
Johnson, Greg Michigan State 1970 1972
Caruso, Mike Lehigh 1965 1967
Uetake, Yojiro Oklahoma State 1964 1966
Simons, Gray Lock Haven 1959 1962
Hayes, Larry Iowa State 1959 1961
Hodge, Dan Oklahoma 1955 1957
Peery, Ed Pittsburgh 1955 1957
Roderick, Myron Oklahoma State 1954 1956
Peery, Hugh Pittsburgh 1952 1954
Young, Keith Northern Iowa 1949 1951
Uetake was.
Simons was in the three NCAA years. He took one loss during his freshman year at Lock Haven. Note: Lock Haven was an NAIA dual member at the time and in that era, schools with under enrollment of 800 could have freshman compete eligible at the NAIA level, but not the NCAA championships. Simons was unbeaten in his 3 NCAA years.
Simons was in the three NCAA years. He took one loss during his freshman year at Lock Haven. Note: Lock Haven was an NAIA dual member at the time and in that era, schools with under enrollment of 800 could have freshman compete eligible at the NAIA level, but not the NCAA championships. Simons was unbeaten in his 3 NCAA years.
At least McCready and Uetake were undefeated, as was Bill Koll. Jason - I think you're forgetting the post WWII era when four years of eligibility were allowed for a short period. Keith Young did not wrestle his freshman year because he was behind Bill Nelson - another 3X champ. Lowell Lange was the second true freshman champ, but was the youngest. Dick Hauser (also from Cornell College and Waterloo West - like Lange) won the championship 2 weight classes ahead of Lange. Interestingly (at least to me), Russ Bush from ISTC won the class between Hauser and Lange and he, too, was a Waterloo West grad.
The question as I read it was 3x champs in the era where you only had 3 times to compete at the NCAA.
My point is that Keith Young had 4 years of eligibility, but did not compete as a freshman because of Bill Nelson and, therefore, should not be on your list. Also, I believe that freshmen could not compete prior to WWII thus McCready, Van Bebber, McDaniel and Rex Peery.
Gotcha, your knowledge on Keith Young supersedes mine in this department.
I just need to know exact factual dates, which are hard to come by. Perhaps an e-mail to Don Sayenga is in order.
That list was the 3x champs after the Dick Hutton era and before Kemp was a 3x champ in the late 70's
I just need to know exact factual dates, which are hard to come by. Perhaps an e-mail to Don Sayenga is in order.
That list was the 3x champs after the Dick Hutton era and before Kemp was a 3x champ in the late 70's
Well I was close GG, I was not sure about Hauser and even if I was I was not sure who wrestled at a lighter weight.
I think Uetake was one of the most gifted wrestlers I ever saw. Watched him win his 3rd Title in Ames in 1966.
Got a note heading back to you via Pony Express GG. You missed an "option" in your letter, so I fixed it for you and sent it back.
