Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Muscatine Community College

This is another personal one for me.  I began wrestling as a seven year old first grader in 1992.  My first year consisted of about two months worth of practices & about four tournaments.  The next season after seeing that wrestling was something that indeed I did want to pursue my Dad enrolled me in the nearby Oskaloosa Kid's Club.   It was ran by Paul Graham. 

Paul was introduced to the sport of wrestling his freshman season by legendary Sigourney high school coach Jack Smith.  Smith thought Graham looked like he'd make a good wrestler.  Smith was right.  Graham would go on to become the Savages first Iowa high school state champion in 1967.  He'd add a second title in 1968.  

I was already a member of the Osky kid's club for about two years when I discovered that Paul had also been a standout collegiate grappler.  We had a neighbor named Rudy Votrobeck who asked me one night if I knew that Paul had wrestled in college. I told him that I didn't & he went back over to his house.  When he came back he had a yearbook from the 1969-1970 season.  He too attended Muscatine Community College (What was known then as Eastern Iowa Community College) & he knew Paul.   

At the time I didn't think much of it but what I'd give to get my hands on a copy of the annual now.  If it wasn't for Rudy & Paul, I don't think there would be any record of Muscatine Community College ever having a wrestling program. 

Paul Graham
118 lbs 

Graham took third place NJCAA All American honors in 1970. 

Post his collegiate wrestling days Graham coached for a spell at William Penn University & ran one of the most successful kids' programs in the state of Iowa that won AAU titles & placed high at the AAU's multiple times.  I am proud to say that I was a member of the Osky club for eight years.  I have a lot of great memories & a ton of stories.  Paul Graham was a great coach.   I feel honored to have had in in my life. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Golden West

Located a little more than a half hour of downtown Los Angeles, at one time Golden West had a respectable wrestling team that turned out CCCAA place-winners year in & year out, many of which later became stars in the world of MMA.  The last year of Rustler wrestler was 2004-2005. 

Tim Riley
HWT

Riley won a CCCAA title in 1982. 

Trent Kenney
150 lbs 

Kenney placed twice at the CCCAA tournament.  He was fourth in 1985 & fifth in 1988. 

He later became the head coach of Durham High School's Girl's program. 

Rich Benton 

Benton won a CCCAA title in 1985 & took third place in 1987. 

Paul "Hitman" Herrera

A two time Colorado High school state champion for Grand Junction, Herrera won two CCCAA titles for the Rustlers in 1986 & 1987.  He introduced future MMA legend Tito Ortiz to the sport of wrestling, later coaching him as well as Tank Abbot for fights in the Octagon. 

After graduating from Golden West, Herrera went on to finish up his wrestling career at Nebraska where he took fourth place All American honors at the 1990 NCAA Division I championships. 

Eddie Ruiz
134 lbs 

Ruiz was a two time California High School State place-winner for Marina while in high school. He placed seventh his sophomore season & sixth his junior season.  While wrestling for the Rustlers he won the 1987 CCCAA. 

Mike Bolster
HWT

Bolster took fourth in the high school state championships for Huntington Beach before coming to Golden West.  Competing for the green & gold, he was a two time CCCAA runner-up in 1992 & 1993. 

Raphael "Noodle" Davis
177 lbs 

Davis took third place at the 1995 CCCAA, before winning a CCCAA title in 1996.  He then took his talents to Cal State Bakersfield where he qualified for the NCAA Division I championships in 1998, before earning Division I All American status with a fifth place finish in 1999.    He later would coach as CSU-Bakersfield as well as Northern Illinois before getting into the world of MMA. 

Tito Ortiz
190 lbs 

After placing fourth in the high school state championships for Huntington Beach, Ortiz won two CCCAA titles for the Rustlers in 1995 & 1996.   He finished up his collegiate career at Cal State Bakersfield before becoming one of the most popular & recognizable names in MMA. 

Jesse "Lil Ninja" Miramontes
125 lbs 

Miramontes took back to back third place CCCAA finishes in 2000 & 2002.   He later wrestled for Cal State Fullerton, where he won a PAC-12 title his junior season.  He later got into MMA

Jesse Jaurez
174 lbs 

Jaurez took seventh place in 2000, before winning a CCCAA title in 2001.   He later wrestled for Montana State Northern where he was a two time NAIA All American.  He was fifth in 2004, winning an NAIA title in 2005.   He later got into MMA. 


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Again a big thank you to Al Fontes for valuable information he provided to make CCCAA wrestling a part of "Gone, Lost & Forgotten." 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Diablo Valley

Located in the East Bay a little over a half hour's drive from San Francisco,  Diablo Valley at one time had a competitive wrestling program that produced an assortment of talent.  Winners of the 1970 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) a majority of their wrestlers went on to success post their time as a Viking.   The Viking wrestling program came to an end after the 1998-1999 season. 

Roger Warner
150 lbs

After finishing as the 1971 CCCAA runner up, Warner won the 1972 CCCAA championship.  He went on to finish up his career at Cal Poly where in 1974 he won a NCAA Division II title & finished in third place at the NCAA Division I championships. 

Cliff Hatch
158 lbs 

Hatch won two CCCAA titles for the Vikings in 1971 & 1972.  He too would go on to Cal Poly where he won a NCAA Division II title. 

Juan Picharda
134 lbs 

Picharda won a CCCAA title for the green & white in 1973 

Lennis Cowell
130 lbs 

Cowell had a standout season in 1963 winning a Golden Gate Conference championship & taking third at the CCCAA's.   

Steve Sanchez
152 lbs 

Sanchez placed third at the CCCAA tournament in 1969.  He went on to wrestle for Portland State where he won a Western Regional title.   Post college he got into coaching & won a national high school coach of the year one season. 

Bob Green
HWT

Going 42-2, securing 22 victories by fall, Bob Green won the 1974 CCCAA.  He finished up his career at Colorado State. 

Tyrone Rose
134 lbs 

After winning a CCCAA title in 1977, Rose finished up his career at UNLV

Bruce Kopitar
190 lbs 

Kopitar wrestled his first three seasons of high school at Pacifica High School.  Pacifica closed before his senior season,so he had to transfer to Clayton Valley High School where he won a state championship.   Wrestling for the Vikings, he took runner-up honors at the CCCAA in 1979.   He finished up his career at Oklahoma. 

Cory Salmon
142 lbs 

After placing third at the CCCAA in 1980, Salmon won a CCCAA title in 1981.  He later taught P.E. & coached wrestling at College Park High School. 

Keith Jardine
126 lbs 

Jardine won a CCCAA title for the Vikings in 1981.  I believe he may be related to the MMA fighter who played football at Los Angeles Pierce & New Mexico Highlands. 

Lance Anzivine
158 lbs 

Anzivine won a CCCAA title for the green & white in 1981 

Bill Merrell
167, 158 lbs 

Merrell placed twice in the California high school state championships, taking fourth & fifth place finishes for Napa High School in his final two seasons.   Wrestling for the Vikings he took third in 1983 & won a CCCAA title in 1984.  Including a redshirt season, Merrell would wrestle at three different colleges post his time at Diablo Valley.   Cal Poly, Nebraska & his final season of eligibility at Chico State. 

Deets Winslow
126 lbs 

Winslow twice placed at the CCCAA championships for the Vikings.  He was fourth in 1984 & runner up in 1985.   He later coached at Sonoma Valley.   We sadly lost Winslow in a boating accident in 2014. 

Tony Darone
167 lbs 

Darone was quite the success at Liberty High School.  There he played quarterback & linebacker on the football team, being named Homecoming King.  As a wrestler he took back to back fourth place finishes at the state championships.   Wrestling for the Vikings he won a CCCAA title in 1986.   He later was head coach at Mt. Diablo High School. 

John McIntyre
HWT

McIntyre won a CCCAA title in 1986. 

Jeff Buckalew 
150 lbs 

Buckalew was fifth in 1987 & won a CCCAA title in 1988. 

Craig Droefert

Droefert won a CCCAA title in 1990. 

Mike Carolan

Carolan won back to back CCCAA titles for the Vikings in 1992 & 1993.  He finished up his career at the Navy.  He later ran his own wrestling club & worked security for the Oakland Raiders. 


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A huge thank you to Al Fontes who made adding former teams in the CCCAA to "Gone, Lost & Forgotten" possible with the information he provided me. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = DePaul

I was able to find out very, very little about the Blue Demon wrestling program.  The only information I could find regarding the sport at the Catholic Division I school in Chicago was a simple name.  

Sam Odishoo wrestled four years varsity for the Blue Demons back in the mid to late 30's.  35', 36, 37', 38'.  That wraps up what I was able to find out about their former wrestling program. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Peru State

The population of the small town of Peru, Nebraska not far from the Iowa border, more than triples when the local college is in session.  Welcoming an assortment of athletes from baseball, softball, basketball, football & other sports, at one time Peru State also welcomed wrestlers.  Today we take a look at some of their best. 

Kevin "Bud" Frohling 

A graduate of Guthrie Center High School in Iowa, Frohling won an NAIA title going 37-2 in 1975.  That season he accumulated 18 falls.  He looked poised for another great season in 1976, but suffered an injury that ended his career.  He was 11-2 at the time. 

Fred Marisett
HWT

Marisett was a standout on the gridiron and the wrestling mat.  A graduate of Hammond Tech,  Marisett took sixth place honors for the Bobcats at the 1976 NAIA championships.  One of the best football players Peru State ever produced, Marisett had offers from both the NFL & CFL after graduation.  He opted instead to teach & coach football & wrestling around the Omaha area. He eventually turned his efforts towards becoming a principal & an athletic director.  He ended his collegiate wrestling career with a record of 97-17. 

Mark Yori
126 lbs 

Yori placed sixth at the 1977 NAIA championships. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Pacific Lutheran

A private Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington, Pacific Lutheran at one time had a rather competitive wrestling program.  It was discontinued after the 2003-2004 season by athletic director Paul Hoseth because of a lack of nearby programs & the conference dropping the sport.   

Paul Giovanni
134 lbs  

Giovanni was a two time NAIA All American for the Lutes.  He placed seventh in 1980 & fifth in 1981. 

Mike Agostini
177 lbs 

Agostini earned All American status twice for the Lutes.  He was fifth in 1982 & seventh in 1984. 

Chris Wolfe
142, 177 lbs 

Graduating from Curtis High school with a record of 72-10, Wolfe spent his first year of collegiate wrestling at Eastern Washington.  He transferred to Pacific Lutheran where he earned NAIA All American status twice.  After finishing in third place in 1985, he placed sixth in 1986.  He ended his career with a record of 122-35. 

He became head coach of the Lutes in 1988 & would serve until 1995, twice earning District Coach of the Year honors. 

He then took over the Steilacoom High school program leading his team to two District titles and two Regional titles. 

Adrian Rodriguez
126 lbs 

Rodriguez was an NAIA runner up in 1987. 

Brian Peterson
150, 158 lbs 

Accumulating 114 career wins over his illustrious career, Peterson made the NAIA finals in 1993, winning an NAIA title in 1994.  

Tuan Nguyen
118 lbs 

Nguyen earned NAIA All American honors for the Lutes on two occasions.  He was fourth in 1996 & third in 1997. 

Josh Aiken 
150 lbs 

After finishing in fifth place at the 1996 NAIA nationals & earning runner up honors in 1997, Aiken later became head coach at Pacific Lutheran.  Although the program (as mentioned earlier) was dropped after the 2004 season, athletic director Paul Hoseth did allow Aiken to continue wrestling camps the following Spring & Summer. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Oregon Tech

A half hours drive from the California border,  Oregon Tech is located in Klamath Falls in the southern part of the state.   The Owls wrestling program was dropped after the 1990-1991 season.  They hosted the 1972 NAIA championships. 

Bob Stroh
150 lbs 

Stroh earned NAIA All American status in 1983 with a eighth place finish. 

Ray Parker
118 lbs 

In 1991 Parker became the last All American for the Owls when he earned a sixth place finish at the NAIA championships. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Northwest Nazarene

The Nighthawk Wrestling program ended after the 1987-1988 season.   While Northwest Nazarene today is NCAA Division II, they were NAIA at that time.  The school is located in Nampa, Idaho.  

Mike Hicks
142 lbs 

Hicks earned NAIA All American status in 1982 with a seventh place finish. 

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Mayville State

Although the Comets of Mayville State  still compete in the NAIA, today they are in the North Star Athletic Association.  When they had a wrestling program they were in the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC).  

Andy DeCoteau
167 lbs 

Also a member of the Football & Track teams, DeCoteau won four NDCAC titles for the Comets & four district titles.  In his sophomore season of 1981 he placed fifth at the NAIA tournament. 

Mark Carter
134 lbs 

Cater had a standout season in 1976 as a junior when he won a NDCAC title & took sixth place NAIA All American honors. 

Mike Holmes
134, 142 lbs 

A native of Mayville, Holmes was a hometown hero during his days on the mat.  Winner of three NDCAC titles, he was named the outstanding wrestler in his senior season of 1984.  Holmes earned three NAIA All American honors for the Comets, placing sixth in 1982 & then taking back to back fifth place finishes in 1983 & 1984.  Also a star in the classroom, Holmes was a two time Academic All American. 

Jason Deitchler
HWT

Deitchler earned two NAIA All American honors for the reflex blue & white.  He was fourth in 1991 & fifth in 1992. 

Roger Moe

Moe, who later became a Politician, was the first Mayville State wrestler to win a NDCAC.  He was also a member of the football team. 

Clinton Lein

A native of Concrete, Lein a captain of the Comet football team, was also a member of the wrestling team. 

Mark McLean

A member of the offensive line on the Comet football team, McLean was a four time NAIA national qualifier going 95-27 over four years.  He later coached football, wrestling & track at the high school level. 

David Strand

Strand who went on to coach forty high school wrestlers to state championships, wrestled collegiality for Mayville State. 

Jerome Berg

Jerome Berg was never a wrestler.  He never coached wrestling either.  His sports were football & basketball.  As a football coach he lead the Comets to an overall record of 62-20, winning NDCAC titles in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965 & 1966.   When members of the football squad said to him that they wished that Mayville State had a wrestling program, it was he who took the necessary steps to make that happen.  He went about finding a space, getting mats & uniforms & hiring coaches.