In the "wrestling state" of Pennsylvania we look at yet another program we've lost over the years. The Temple Owls while not to the prominence of a modern day Penn State, were a solid program that had success in both the Middle Atlantic Conference and the EIWA. The Owls won three Middle Atlantic team titles and finished in 10th place at the 1969 NCAA Division I tournament.
Today we'll look at who I feel are the best five wrestlers in Owl history.
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123 lbs
Wayne Boyd |
One of the best known characters in wrestling, Wayne Boyd came to Temple after winning three Virginia high school state titles for Norview High School in Norfolk. While wrestling for the Owls he placed fourth and third respectively at the EIWA tournament his sophomore and junior seasons, but it would be his senior year of 1969 where he really shined. Not only did he win the EIWA title but he also won the NCAA Division I title.
Post college Boyd is best known for being a co-founder of Titan Mercury Wrestling club. He also produced the wrestling film ONE MORE SHOT.
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142 lbs
Doug Parise |
A two time New Jersey state champion for Lakewood high school Doug Parise had an outstanding senior season in 1980. Winning the EIWA title, he was also awarded the Billy Sheridan award for the most amount of falls in the least amount of time. For these accomplishments he was named the most valuable wrestler of the tournament. The only time this ever happened for a Temple wrestler. Post college Parise coached at Temple before coaching at various high schools in Pennsylvania.
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155 lbs
Frank Osinski |
A graduate of Upper Marion High School Frank Osinski was a three time NCAA participant for the Owls placing fourth in 1941 as a senior. Post college Osinski served in World War II
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167, 177, 190
Tony Mantella |
Moving up a weight class each season, former Owl Tony Mantella made the EIWA finals three years in a row.
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HWT
Bill Hyman |
While Boyd may be the most recognizable name in Owl wrestling history, former HWT Bill Hyman may be the very best. The former two time New Jersey state champ from Saddlebrook high school had outstanding junior and senior campaigns for the Owls. His junior season he placed sixth at the Midlands, won an EIWA title and placed fourth in the NCAA's. As a senior he improved his Midlands finish to fourth place, won his second EIWA title and capped off his career with a national championship.
Post college Hyman had a successful run working on Wall Street and later worked as a sales representative for medical equipment.
Dave Pruzanski tied Dan Gable.He also won a national judo championship using little more than his considerable wrestling skills.
ReplyDeleteAlan Campbell was technically one of the best and toughest wrestlers at Temple. He was a high school teammate of the 4x ncaa finalist ,2x champion Darryl Burley. He won a Canadian National freestyle title
ReplyDeleteSweet. Always happy to learn about more wrestlers of the past.
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