Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Utah

Another program we lost in the land of the Mormons was the University of Utah.  While not as prominent of a team as was Utah State, they still produced a fair number of quality wrestlers. Let's take a look at some of them.

118 lbs
Sam Arishita

Also a black belt in judo, Sam Arishita won two Utah high school state championships for West high school in 1963 & 1964 before he came to Utah. Competing for the Utes, he won two Western Athletic Conference titles in 1966 and 1970.  Post college, he served in the United States Army and taught both judo and wrestling at Skyline high school.

118 lbs
Bruce Geier

Another two time NCAA qualifier for the Utes was Bruce Geier who came to Utah from Michigan where he placed fourth at the 1969 state tournament wrestling for Livonia Franklin.

126 lbs
Doug Bingham

The story of the late Doug Bingham is a tragic one.  The two time NCAA participant was was competing in a match against Dave Edington of Wyoming.  During the match Bingham suddenly stopped moving.  His heart had stopped beating.  While medical staff tried to save his life, it was too late Bingham was already gone.  He left behind a wife and three kids at the time of his death.

Up until Utah dropped their wrestling program, an award was given out annually to the most valuable wrestler of the team in Bingham's honor.

137 lbs
Ron Lemmon 

Ron Lemmon was a three time NCAA qualifier for the Utes in 1967, 1968 & 1969.

Bob Kawa

Wrestling at three different weight classes Bob Kawa participated in three NCAA tournaments.  He once wrestled Dan Gable and put Gable to his back.

157 & 167 lbs
Frank Hankin 

A graduate of Yuma high school Frank Hankin would go on to win three Skyline Conference titles for the Utes also placing fourth at the 1961 NCAA tournament.

152 & 158 lbs
Charles Sheperd

The Utes sole four time NCAA qualifier, Charles Sheperd went to the NCAA's in 1968, 1969, 1970 & 1971.  At the 1970 NCAA's he made All American status by placing fifth.