Defending The Title: 2008: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 Iowa's Mark Perry returned to end his career as a two time NCAA champion. 

2008 Champion 125
Angel Escobedo of Indiana 

Most of the world thinks of the state of Indiana as a "basketball state."  Angel Escobedo has been on a mission his whole life to make people think of Indiana as a "basketball AND wrestling state."  He's more than done his part. In high school he won 223 matches winning four state titles for Griffith High school.  In college, he won four All American honors for the Hoosiers, winning the NCAA title in his sophomore season of 2008.  As a freshman in 2007 he placed 4th, taking 5th place honors in 2009 as a junior.  An injury his senior season kept him from being as competitive as he would have otherwise been, but nevertheless he still came back to finish a strong 3rd.  Post college, he won Pan-American Silver in 2015. Coaching at Iowa State for a while, he now heads the Hoosier program as Indiana's head coach. 

2008 Champion 133
Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State 

A three time Pennsylvania state champion for Waynesburg Central high school, Scott took his talents to Oklahoma State where he was a four time All American for the Cowboys. Placing 8th as a freshman in 2005, he was 5th in the nation as a sophomore in 2006.  Making the NCAA finals in 2007 as a junior, he ended his collegiate career as the NCAA champion in 2008.  Post college he has success on the international scene winning Olympic Bronze in 2012. He followed it up with World Cup Silver in 2015.  Today Scott is the head coach at North Carolina. 

2008 Champion 141
J Jaggers of Ohio State 

A four time state champion for St Peter Chanel, J Jaggers was 7th in the nation as a sophomore in 2007 before winning back to back NCAA titles in 2008 and 2009. 107 victories, he now coaches at Ohio State. 

2008 Champion 149 
Brent Metcalf of Iowa 

Strictly business, winning four Michigan state titles for Davison high school, Metcalf won 228 matches during his prep career. 156 of those matches were by fall.  Missing out on his freshman season due to transfer rules when he went from Virginia Tech to Iowa, Metcalf was an absolute terror on the mat winning the NCAA title as a sophomore in 2008.  He would finish NCAA-runner up in 2009, but come back to win his second NCAA title in 2010.  Post college Metcalf won both Pan American Bronze as well as Gold, along with two Gold medals at the World Cup.  He is now part of the Iowa State coaching staff. 

2008 Champion 157 
Jordan Leen of Cornell 

I made the argument earlier that Bill Harlow of Oklahoma State, three time NCAA finalist and one time NCAA champion is the best wrestler to ever come out of the state of Tennessee. If anyone can give Harlow a run for his money in that honorable distinction it might be Jordan Leen. Competing for Baylor School, he won four state titles racking up 214 victories.  Competing for the Big Red in college, Leen's NCAA title came in his junior season of 2008.  In 2007 as a sophomore he took 8th place All American honors, wrapping up his career with a 3rd place finish in 2009. Post college he coached at Duke, Pittsburgh and Virginia. 

2008 Champion 174
Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh 

I remember when I first saw the name Keith Gavin listed high in the rankings. I wasn't the only one who thought at the time, "Keith Gavin?"  He did seem to come out of nowhere.  He had never won a state title at Lackwanna Trail high school going 7th & 3rd at the state championships.  He didn't qualify for the NCAA's as a true freshman and he went 0-2 as a true sophomore. Nevertheless there he was as a redshirt junior in the rankings & a short time later, he more than proved he deserved to be there.  Making the NCAA finals in 2007, he showed Ben Askren he was not afraid of him as he scored the first takedown and made Askren work for every point he scored in the match.  Winning the NCAA title as a senior, Gavin coached at both Oklahoma and Virginia before taking over the reigns at Pittsburgh. 

2008 Champion 184 
Mike Pucillo of Ohio State

A state champion for Walsh Jesuit, Pucillo made immediate impact for the Buckeyes placing 6th at the NCAA championships as a freshman in 2007. He won the NCAA title as a sophomore in 2008, taking NCAA runner-up honors in 2009.  Unfortunately as a senior in 2010, Pucillo would suffer a hand injury that virtually left him without any strength in his right arm or an ability to grip. This hampered his performance as he finished one match shy of All American honors.  He finished his career with a record of 107-16. 

2008 Champion 197 
Phil Davis of Penn State 

If the NCAA would have had a worst hair cut championship, during his freshman and sophomore seasons, Phil Davis would have won national titles in that too.  A graduate of Harrisburg High school, he's yet another NCAA champion that never won a state title.In his freshman campaign of 2005 he placed 7th, making the NCAA finals as a sophomore in 2006.  He'd place 5th in 2007 as a junior ending his career as NCAA champion as a senior in 2008.  Post college he got into MMA where he won championships in Bellator.  I also have to thank Davis for showing me that people actually did read my stuff. During his junior year of 2007, I predicted Davis to finish 3rd at nationals. He saw the prediction and he let me know.  Up until that point, I figured no one of consequence read them. He let me know what he thought of being predicted 3rd instead of 1st! 

2008 Champion HWT
Dustin Fox of Northwestern 

Fox came to Northwestern from Ohio where he won two state titles for Galion high school.  While competing for the Wildcats, Fox was one match shy of All American as a freshman in 2005.  Finishing a disappointing 1-2 at the 2006 NCAA championships, he came back strong as a junior to finish in 3rd place.  He ended his collegiate career by winning the NCAA title in 2008, going 109-29 overall. 

==== 


Perry already mentioned 

Escobedo, Lee and Pucillo did not repeat 

Metcalf did not repeat in 2009 but did in 2010

Jaggers repeated 

Scott, Gavin, Davis and Fox were all seniors 

Defending the Title: 2007: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Pennsylvania's Matt Valenti, Missouri's Ben Asrken and Minnesota's Cole Konrad all ended their careers as two time champions. 

2007 Champion 125
Paul Donahoe of Nebraska 

A two time Michigan state champion for Davison High School, Donahoe was not a likely candidate to win the NCAA title his sophomore season of 2007.  In 2006 he had gone 2-2 at the NCAA championships, and two weeks prior at the BIG 12 tournament he was manhandled by Oklahoma's Sam Hazewinkle the favorite. Yet when the two met in the NCAA finals, Donahoe slowed Hazewinkle's offense down and attacked at just the right moment to secure a takedown for the victory.  Donahoe would place 3rd for the Huskers in 2008 as a junior.  After a very controversial decision, Nebraksa dismissed Donahoe from the team.  He transferred to Edinboro where he finished his career as the NCAA runner-up in 2009. 

2007 Champion 141
Derek Moore of UC Davis 

Although 5th in the state is the best Moore ever achieved competing for Shasta High School, he was still hoping to become UC Davis' first NCAA Division I All American. (The Aggies had quite a few NCAA All Americans during their time in NCAA Division II).  Moore came heartbreakingly close in his freshman and junior seasons, losing nose hair decisions to finish one match shy of All American.  He had only one opportunity left.  Yet even then he had roadblocks as he hurt his knee a few times throughout the season causing him to miss a couple of competitions. Nevertheless the non-scholarship walk on refused to be denied. Not only did he earn that first DI All American honor, he also one upped himself by also becoming UC Davis's first national champion.  Post college Moore went into the Army and then coached at both Sacred Heart and California Baptist.  While Moore is thrilled to be UC Davis's first, I highly doubt he enjoys knowing that he is and will remain the only.  A short time after his NCAA championship, Davis discontinued wrestling. 

2007 Champion 149 
Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro 

A two time New York state champion for Webster Schroeder high school, Gillespie's NCAA title came in his sophomore season of 2007.  As a freshman he was 7th, placing 5th as a sophomore and 4th as a senior. He earned 152 victories while competing for the Fighting Scotts. He coached at Hofstra and fought in the UFC where he went by "The Gift" as well as being nicknamed "The Fisherman."  Brother Torsten was also an All American at Edinboro. 

2007 Champion 157 
Trent Paulson of Iowa State 

A standout at Council Bluffs Lewis Central, Paulson came to Iowa State a two time state champion. Not placing as a freshman in 2004, he took back to back 4th place finishes in 2005 and 2006.  He ended his career as a NCAA champion in 2007.  Post college, Paulson has coached at various schools including Iowa State, Nebraska and currently Virginia.  Identical twin brother Travis was a three time All American for the Cyclones as well.  

2007 Champion 165 
Mark Perry of Iowa 

His father wrestled for Oklahoma State. His uncle Lee Roy wrestled for Oklahoma State. His uncle John wrestled for Oklahoma State. His uncle Pat wrestled for Oklahoma State. His uncle Mark wrestled for Oklahoma State. His brother Chris would himself one day wrestle for Oklahoma State. So where did Mark wrestle? Iowa, of course.  The Blair Academy (New Jersey) graduate that grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma until it came time for high school decided that he wanted to do things different.  While in high school he racked up 169 victories. 127 of them were by fall.  An unorthodox, limber and flexible style, Perry wowed the Hawkeye faithful with maneuvers they were not used to seeing. In his freshman campaign he finished NCAA runner-up, capturing a 3rd place finish as a sophomore. He'd win back to back NCAA titles in 2007 and 2008 as his Hawkeye career came to an end.  Post college he got into coaching. Arizona State, Cal Poly and Illinois being among schools he has been. 

2007 Champion 184 
Jake Herbert of Northwestern 

A state champion out of North Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania, Herbert is one of the best wrestlers to have ever competed for Northwestern.  In his freshman season of 2005 he finished 3rd in the nation, coming back in 2006 to earn NCAA runner-up honors.  Winning his first NCAA title in 2007, he took the 2008 season off to train for international competition, returning in 2009 to capture his second NCAA title for the Wildcats. Post college he won World Silver in 2009 and Pan-American Silver in 2015. 

2007 Champion 197 
Josh Glenn of American 

A New York state champion for Johnson City high school, Glenn became "the first" at American in a multitude of ways.  Earning All American Status as a sophomore in 2006 with a 4th place finish, he became the Eagles first underclassmen All American.  Winning the NCAA title in 2007 as a junior, he became the Eagles first NCAA champion.  Then with a 5th place finish in 2008 as a senior, he became the Eagles first three time All American.  During his time he was also a three time EIWA conference champion.  He went into the Navy post college. 

=== 

Valenti, Askren and Konrad previously mentioned 

Donahoe, Gillespie and Glenn did not repeat 

Perry and Herbert both repeated 

Moore and Paulson both seniors 

Defending the Title: 2006: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Indiana's Joe Dubuque ends his career as a two time champion as Oklahoma State's Jake Rosholt ends his as a three.  Teammate Johny Hendricks also wins his second NCAA title. 

2006 champion 133
Matt Valenti of Pennsylvania 

A two time New Jersey state champion, Valenti came within one match shy of All American status as a true freshman in 2003.  He'd finish 5th in the nation as a true sophomore in 2004, redshirting in 2005.  He'd come back to win back to back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007, earning 137 victories during his Quaker career.  He also won three EIWA conference titles during this time as well.  Post college he coached at Columbia. Brother Derek was an All American for Virginia and wife Kim coached Women's Gymnastics at Ursinus. 

2006 champion 141
Nate Gallick of Iowa State 

Wrestling for Foothills high school as a freshman, Gallick wrestled his last three years of high school at Sunnyside earning Arizona state titles. When it came time to choose a college to compete at, Gallick chose Iowa State. He wanted to compete in an environment where when he won a huge match, it'd be in front of a huge, passionate crowd that would go wild. He had plenty of those moments at Hilton Coliseum during his time as a Cyclone.  He finished 5th in the nation as a sophomore in 2004, earning NCAA runner-up honors in 2005, capping off his illustrious career as NCAA champion in 2006.  He coached at Iowa State post his own collegiate career. Brother Nick was an All American at Iowa State as well. 

 

2006 Champion 149 
Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota 

"The Mongoose" as fans affectionately referred to him won four Ohio state titles while in high school, two for Graham and two for Perry.  While competing for the Golden Gophers he seemed destined to perhaps be the best wrestler to ever grace the Maroon and Gold. He won the NCAA title as a freshman in 2006. Finishing 3rd in the nation as a sophomore in 2007, injuries slowed him down to a 7th place finish in 2008 as a junior.  By the time he was a senior, injuries had become so bad that he had to default out of the NCAA tournament.  Despite the unfortunate ending to his collegiate career, Schlatter graduated with 114 victories. 

2006 Champion 157
Ben Cherrington of Boise State

Competing at 149 lbs for the Broncos, Cherrington lost two heart breaking matches in the Round of 12 in 2004 and 2005 to finish one match shy of All American status in his sophomore and junior seasons. Deciding to move up to 157 lbs for his senior season, not only did Cherrington finally reach his goal of All American status, he did so with the national championship and an undefeated season. 

2006 Champion 174
Ben Askren of Missouri 

Had it not been for a guy named Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State, Missouri's Ben Askren might have been a four time champion. Ryan Lang of Purdue might have had something to say about that, but if you look at Askren's overall win/loss record, with exception to one match, all of his losses were to Pendleton.  The two time Wisconsin high school state champ for Arrowhead, was twice runner-up to Pendleton in 2004 and 2005. Once Pendleton graduated, Askren was a nuclear bomb and the rest of the field lay in absolute destruction.  He won back to back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007.  Post college he won Pan-American gold in 2005 and in grappling World Gold in 2009.  Having a career in MMA, Askren can be heard on various podcasts talking wrestling, MMA, politics and a variety of other subjects.  Brother Max was also an NCAA champion for the Tigers. 

2006 Champion 184
Shane Webster of Oregon 

A three time state champion for Crater High School, Webster placed 6th in the nation as a true sophomore in 2003. He redshirted in 2004.  Securing a PAC-12 conference title as a redshirt junior in 2005, he entered the NCAA tournament with high hopes, but went a disappointing 0-2.  He returned with a vengeance in 2006, claiming the NCAA title as a senior. 

2006 Champion HWT
Cole Konrad of Minnesota 

With everyone throwing out names like Brock Lesnar and Stephen Neal, wondering if anyone could upend the seemingly unstoppable Gable Steveson, the name I throw out is Cole Konrad. Big, heavy, strong, quick, how many people can you name that bulldozed Steve Mocco to his back and stuck him?  (Tolly Thompson is the only other that I know of).   Konrad was a Wisconsin state champion for Freedom high school & he did take a while to adjust to DI college wrestling losing 10 matches his freshman season which saw him finish 4th at the NCAA's.  He'd only lose thrice more after that, finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2005 as a sophomore, winning back to back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007.  Finishing his collegiate career with 155 victories, he won Pan-American Gold in 2005 before become "The Polar Bear" in UFC. 

=== 

Dubuque, Hendricks and Rosholt previously mentioned. 

Valenti, Askren and Konrad all repeated in 2007 

Schlatter did not repeat 

Gallick, Cherrington and Webster were all seniors 

Defending The Title: 2005: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

Travis Lee of Cornell, Teyon Ware of Oklahoma, Ryan Bertin of Michigan & Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State who all won titles in 2003, won their second titles. 

Steve Mocco returned off a redshirt to win his second title. 

Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State won his second title. 

Greg Jones of West Virginia ends his career as a three time champion. 

2005 Champion 125
Joe Dubuque of Indiana 

A two time New Jersey state champion for Glen Ridge High School, Dubuque won back to back NCAA titles for the Hoosiers in 2005 and 2006. He also placed 8th his sophomore season of 2004.  Post college he coached at Indiana and Hofstra, currently at Princeton. 

2005 Champion 149 

A three time New Jersey state champion for Blair Academy, Esposito had a standout career competing for the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.  Finishing one match shy of All American status as a freshman in 2003, Esposito was an NCAA runner-up in 2004, winning the NCAA title as a junior in 2005.  As a senior in 2006 he finished in 3rd place.  Coaching being his next call, he remained at Oklahoma State. 

2005 Champion 165
Johny Hendricks of Oklahoma State 

A three time state champion for Edmond Memorial, Hendricks a member of the Otoe-Missouria Native American tribe won three BIG 12 titles for Oklahoma State. In 2004 as a freshman he placed 5th in the nation, winning back to back NCAA titles in his sophomore and junior seasons of 2005 and 2006 respectively.  He ended his career as the NCAA runner-up in 2007.  Getting into the world of MMA, "Bigg Rigg" as he is known, he won the UFC Welterweight championship. 

==== 

Lee, Ware, Bertin, Pendleton, Jones, Rosholt and Mocco previously mentioned 

Dubuque would win another title in 2005. 

Esposito did not repeat 

Hendricks repeated in 2006 but did not repeat in 2007 

Defending the Title: 2004: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend the Title

 Greg Jones of West Virginia came back to earn title #2 as Tommy Rowlands of Ohio State as well as Damion Hahn of Minnesota both finished off their illustrious careers with title #2. 

2004 Champion 125
Jason Powell of Nebraska 

In the summer of 2003 I attended a team camp at the University of Nebraska. I asked Powell if he was gonna win the NCAA title the next season.  "Yep" is all he said and a man of his word, not only did he win the NCAA title, he did so in fashion winning his final collegiate match by technical fall.  Along with ending his career as the NCAA champion, the three time Oklahoma state champion from Choctaw high school was also 5th in the nation as a sophomore and 3rd in the nation as a junior.  Ironically enough, the only year he won a BIG 12 title was the only year he did not place at Nationals.  Post college he coached at Nebraska, Oregon and Maryland. 

2004 Champion 133
Zach Roberson of Iowa State 

A four time Kansas state champion for Blue Valley Northwest High school, Roberson had a standout career in college competing for the Iowa State Cyclones. 7th in the nation as a sophomore in 2002, he was 4th as a junior in 2003.  Despite never winning a BIG 12 title during his career, Roberson finished a top the award stand with the NCAA title in 2004 as a senior. I had the privilege of sitting next to Roberson's biggest fan that NCAA tournament, Bill Maroney, who's late son Derek was one of Roberson's best friends. While during their careers, Roberson and Oklahoma State's Johnny Thompson were vicious rivals, Thompson was one of the first people to shake Roberson's hand and congratulate him on the national title post winning. A few months after the NCAA tournament, I received a poster in the mail, signed by Johnny Thompson. The way I understand it, Bill talked to Zach, who then talked to Johnny who then got the poster and sent it to me. Not a story for everyone I guess, but having been in this sport for 30 years, I've made far more friends than I ever have enemies.  Yes, it is a sport of great rivalry and intensity, but it is also a sport of great respect and comradery too.  Think that was very cool of Zach to do that for me. 

2004 Champion 141
Cliff Moore of Iowa 

A three time state champion for Dubuque Hempstead, Moore went 109-24 for the Hawkeyes during his collegiate career. He didn't quite finish where he wanted to in 2002 and 2003, having back to back 6th place finishes, but it all came together for him in his senior season of 2004. Post finishing his career as the NCAA champion, he coached at Iowa, Edinboro and West Virginia. 

2004 Champion 149
Jesse Jantzen of Harvard 

A post ago I talked about the best wrestler to ever come out of Hawaii and now I think I make an argument for the best wrestler to ever come out of New York. Not only did Jantzen win four state titles for Shoreham Wading River High school, he also placed at the state championships in both his seventh and eighth grade years.  While competing for the Crimson, Jantzen used one of the most brutal and vicious crab rides securing back to back 3rd place finishes in his sophomore and junior seasons of 2002 and 2003 before winning the NCAA title as a senior in 2004. Post college Jantzen has been successful in the world of business as well as in the world of entertainment. Having various roles, if you have seen the film Foxcatcher, Janzten choreographed all of the wrestling scenes. Jantzen's brother Corey also competed for the Crimson. 

2004 Champion 157
Matt Gentry of Stanford 

Coming from Grants Pass, Oregon, Gentry had a great career for the Cardinal going 138-25 during his career.  His NCAA title came in 2004 as a junior, as he finished one match shy of All American status in both his sophomore and senior seasons.  Post college, representing Canada he won Pan-American Gold medals in both 2007 and 2011. 

2004 Champion 165
Troy Letters of Lehigh 

A two time state champion for Shaler high school, Letters made immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks claiming NCAA runner-up honors in 2003 as a freshman. His NCAA title would come in his sophomore season of 2004 as he placed 3rd in 2005 as a junior.  Unfortunately Letter's senior year would be hampered by severe injuries that saw him miss almost the entire season. He tried to make a comeback at the end of the year, but his injuries got the best of him and he did not place at the NCAA tournament.  He later coached at Penn State, Princeton and Clarion. 

2004 Champion 174 
Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State 

If you're the type of fan that enjoyed watching wrestlers score a lot of points, then you would have enjoyed watching Chris Pendleton of Oklahoma State. The California state champion out of Lemoore high school seemed to rack points up in nearly every match he wrestled.  Finishing 3rd at the NCAA's as a sophomore in 2003, he won back to back NCAA titles in 2004 and 2005.  He coached at Arizona State and is now heading Oregon State. 

=== 

Jones, Hahn and Rowlands previously mentioned 

Pendleton repeated in 2005 

Gentry and Letters did not repeat 

Powell, Roberson, Moore and Jantzen were all seniors 

Defending The Title: 2003: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State wins title #2. 

2003 Champion 125
Travis Lee of Cornell 

Arguably the best wrestler to ever come out of the state of Hawaii, Lee won three state titles for Saint Louis High School before coming to Cornell.  As a member of the Big Red squad, Lee was 7th as a freshman in 2002. He then won his first national title as a sophomore in 2003, taking 5th place honors in 2004. He'd win title #2 in 2005 as a senior.  Post college he coached at Cornell as well as the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club working as both a bioengineer and a automation engineer. 

2003 Champion 141
Teyon Ware of Oklahoma 

A four time state champion for Edmond North High school, Teyon Ware did something that few wrestlers at the Division I level have ever done.  He never took a redshirt.  Winning an NCAA title as a true freshman in 2003, an injured neck saw him finish in 6th place as a sophomore. He came back strong in 2005 to win his second NCAA title, finishing as the runner-up in 2006 as a true senior.  Post college Ware won Pan-American Bronze in 2011. 

2003 Champion 149 
Eric Larkin of Arizona State

A graduate of Sunnyside High School, Larkin put together an exceptionally impressive resume at Arizona State, going 120-12 for the Sun Devils. A four time PAC-12 champion, Larkin was 4th as a freshman in 2000, 3rd as a sophomore in 2001 & the NCAA runner-up in 2002 before capping off his career as the NCAA champion in 2003.  

2003 Champion 157
Ryan Bertin of Michigan 

An Ohio state champion for St Edward high school, Bertin went 142-21 for the Wolverines.  Placing 6th as a freshman in 2002, Bertin won his first NCAA title as a sophomore in 2003.  He was then 3rd in 2004, winning title #2 in 2005. Despite winning two NCAA titles, it is of interest that Bertin never won a BIG 10 title. Bertin's father, Chris wrestled collegiately at Cincinnati and his wife April was a player on the Wolverine NCAA championships Field Hockey team.  Post college Bertin coached at Northwestern. 

2003 Champion 165
Matt Lackey of Illinois 

A two time state champion for Moline high school, Lackey was third in the nation as a sophomore in 2001, earning runner-up honors in 2002, capping off his career as the NCAA champion in 2003. 

2003 Champion 174
Robbie Waller of Oklahoma 

A state champion for Mount Pleasant high school, Waller was 6th in the nation as a junior in 2002.  Ending his career with a record of 103-30, Waller won the NCAA title as a senior in 2003. 

2003 Champion 184
Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State 

A three time Idaho state champion for Sandpoint High School, Rosholt was not a likely candidate for an NCAA title when he entered the NCAA championships in 2003 in as freshman. Weeks before in the BIG 12 finals, he was upended by Missouri's Scott Barker 9-1.  Upsetting his way to the finals, he faced Barker again, this time returning the beating by a score of 13-5.  As a sophomore in 2004, Rosholt placed 3rd.  He came back strong in 2005 and 2006 winning back to back NCAA titles.  Finishing his Cowboy career at 105-20, perhaps the most bizarre fact about Rosholt is that the only year he won the BIG 12 tournament is the only year he didn't win the NCAA's.  Post college, Rosholt had success in the UFC. 

2003 Champion 197 
Damion Hahn of Minnesota 

A three time New Jersey state champion for Lakewood High School, Hahn won three BIG 10 titles for the Golden Gophers.  Going 118-21 he took back to back 5th place finishes at the NCAA championships in his freshman and sophomore seasons of 2001 and 2002.  Winning his first NCAA title as a junior in 2003, he repeated again in 2004.  Post college he coached at Cornell as well as South Dakota State. 

2003 Champion HWT
Steve Mocco of Iowa (Later Oklahoma State) 

Said to have been the most touted HWT recruit of all time, Steve Mocco won four state titles for Blair Academy in New Jersey before coming to Iowa to wrestle his first two years of collegiate wrestling.  As a freshman he finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2002.  Here I have to interject a personal story.  Shortly after Mocco's NCAA runner-up performance, I witnessed him at another wrestling event where a bunch of kids came up surrounding him asking shake his hand and get his autograph.  He signed all of their programs and shirts, but I'll never forget what he said to them. "I'm sorry I lost in the finals guys."  It just goes to show how dedicated and seriously he took the sport. Here he was, a guy many considered to be the greatest high school HWT ever, NCAA finalist as a freshman and he was apologizing to little kids who looked up to him and admired him because he didn't win the NCAA title.  He would the next season as a sophomore in 2003.  

Unhappy at Iowa, Mocco took a redshirt in 2004, coming back in 2005 this time competing for Oklahoma State. He won his second NCAA title that season as a junior.  In 2006 as a senior he finished as the NCAA runner-up.  Post his collegiate wrestling career, he had eligibility left to play one season of football for the Cowboys.  He then won three Pan-American Gold medals before switching over to MMA where he fought and coached. He also coached wrestling at Lehigh. 

=== 

Thompson previously mentioned 

Hahn repeated in 2004 

Lee did not repeat in 2004, but did in 2005

Ware did not repeat in 2004, did repeat in 2005, and did not repeat in 2006 

Bertin did not repeat in 2004, but did in 2005 

Rosholt did not repeat in 2004, but did in 2005 and 2006

Mocco won another title in 2005 after a redshirt in 2004, but did not repeat in 2006

Larkin, Lackey and Waller were all seniors 

Defending The Title: 2002: Those Who Did and Those Who Did Not Defend The Title

 Fresno State's Stephen Abas ends his career as a three time champion as Cael Sanderson of Iowa State makes the most historical stamp ever in NCAA DI wrestling by ending his career as our first (and only) four time undefeated NCAA champion. 

2002 Champion 133
Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State 

My all time favorite collegiate wrestler! Johnny Thompson came to Oklahoma State from Putnam City West where he was twice a state runner-up, winning the state title as a senior. He grew up a Sooner fan, but when it came time for college, they already had a 133 lbs'er.  No bother, Thompson competed for the Cowboys instead.  A four time BIG 12 champion, Thompson made the NCAA finals as a freshman giving Iowa's Eric Juergens all he could handle before eventually succumbing to the Hawkeye 10-7 to finish as the NCAA runner-up.  He'd win two titles in a row in his sophomore and junior seasons of 2002 and 2003.  As a senior in 2004, he was upset in the quarterfinals, but rallied back strong through the consolations, avenging three season losses to capture 3rd place.  

2002 Champion 141
Aaron Holker of Iowa State

A three time Utah state champion for Orem High school, Holker originally chose to wrestle at home, until wrestling at home was no longer an option.  Competing for the Cougars of Brigham Young, Holker earned All American honors as a true freshman in 1999, earning a 7th place finish.  After not placing as a true sophomore in 2000, he was forced to find a new home as Brigham Young dropped their program.  Settling on Iowa State, he redshirted in 2001, winning the NCAA title in 2002 as a junior. He would once again place 7th in 2003 as a senior.  Post college, Holker went into the military. 

2002 Champion 149 
Jared Lawrence of Minnesota 

A four time undefeated Idaho state champion for Sand Point High School, Lawrence competed for the Golden Gophers collegiately.  Taking back to back 6th place finishes in 2000 & 2001, Lawrence's NCAA title came as a junior in 2002.  As a senior in 2003, Lawrence finished as the NCAA runner-up.  Coaching at various levels post college, Lawrence is part of Pinnacle Wrestling today. 

2002 Champion 157 
Luke Becker of Minnesota 

You win the NCAA title at 149 lbs & moments later you watch your roommate and good friend win the NCAA title at 157 lbs.  That's how it was for Jared Lawrence his junior season of 2002.  Becker came to Minnesota from Cambridge-Isanti high school where he won three state titles, accumulating 210 wins.  For the Gophers he won 126 matches, earning All American status four times.  Placing 6th as a freshman in 2000, he was 4th in the nation as a sophomore in 2001.  Like Lawrence his NCAA title came as a junior in 2002. He finished 4th as a senior in 2003.  He has since coached at Minnesota. 

2002 Champion 165
Joe Heskett of Iowa State 

During Heskett's time at Iowa State, he drove a car with a license plate that read something to the effect of "Cradlem." If you ever watched any of his matches, you'd understand in a hurry what that meant. A master of the cradle, Heskett three Ohio state titles for Walsh-Jesuit before competing for the Cyclones.  In college he won three BIG 12 titles, placing 3rd as a freshman in 1999, followed up by back to back NCAA runner-up finishes in 2000 and 2001.  As a senior, he would end his collegiate career with the NCAA title as a senior in 2002. One that was never too busy to sign an autograph or talk to a young fan, Heskett then took his knowledge and love of the sport into coaching.  

2002 Champion 174
Greg Jones of West Virginia 

A two time state champion for Greensburg-Salem high school, Jones was hoping to one day be a collegiate football star. Instead his phenomenal talents on the mat, led him to be one of the best wrestlers of his era. Competing for West Virginia, he went 126-4 during career winning three NCAA titles in 2002 as a freshman, 2004 as a junior and 2005 as a senior.  He did not place at the 2003 NCAA championships.  Post college, he had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he then got into training MMA fighters.  Ironically enough one of the fighters he helped to train to much success is Rashad Evans, one of the only wrestlers who ever handed him a defeat in college. 

2002 Champion 184
Rob Rohn of Lehigh 

It's the third period.  You're down 14-2. Your opponent who has tilted you a numerous amount of times during the match, goes for a final tilt. If he can secure these three points, you'll have lost the match 17-2 via technical fall.  As he goes for the tilt, you granby out of it for a 1 point escape. Little time left on the clock you secure him in a front headlock and then out of nowhere hit a cement mixer to put him on his back.  The crowd gasp as they wait in anticipation. You squeeze with every ounce of strength you have as with less than 15 seconds left, the referee slaps the mat.  In one of the most dramatic matches ever, still talked about 20 years later, you win the national championship. 

If that's not interesting enough, how about the fact that Rohn wasn't even going to wrestle in college to begin with. The Nazareth high school graduate thought that baseball was his future and he originally went to Clarion to play.  Yet things changed, as did his school and he wound out at Lehigh to wrestle.  Placing 5th as a sophomore in 2000, Rohn's NCAA title came in his senior season of 2002.  106 victories altogether, he won the Gorriaran award as well. 

2002 Champion HWT
Tommy Rowlands of Ohio State 

A two time state champion for Bishop Ready high school, Rowlands had an outstanding career for the Buckeyes.  Making the NCAA finals as a freshman in 2001, he won his first NCAA title as a sophomore in 2002. In 2003, he was injured at the NCAA tournament defaulting to 6th place. He came back as a senior to win the NCAA title in 2004.  Post college Rowlands won Pan-American Siilver in 2007. 

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Abas and Sanderson previously mentioned 

Thompson repeated in 2003 but did not in 2004

Jones did not repeat in 2003, but did in both 2004 and 2005 

Rowlands did not repeat in 2003, but did in 2004

Holker, Lawrence and Becker did not repeat

Rohn and Heskett were seniors