Down Goes the #1! - Part 10

 Now we're going to take a look at all of the times at the NCAA DI tournament when the #1 seed went down before the finals during the late 80's (87'-89'). 

1987 158 - U.S. John Heffernan Iowa Upsets #1 Rob Koll North Carolina F 6:47 In R2 

Often caught within the shadow of brother Jim, John Heffernan got to experience a few moments of glory himself while a member of the esteemed Iowa Hawkeyes. One of his shining moments was his sophomore season of 1987 when he knocked off #1 Rob Koll of North Carolina via fall in round two of the NCAA's. Ironically enough, throughout the long illustrious history of the NCAA tournament this would mark the first time that a #1 seed who had been knocked off on the championship side of the bracket got to extract revenge on the backside. Heffernan & Koll would meet again in the consolation semi-finals where Koll took his vengeance 6-2 decision. Koll would finish 3rd as Heffernan finished 6th. Koll who had placed 8th as a freshman in 1985 & 3rd in 1986 as a sophomore would then go on to win the NCAA title as a senior in 1988. Heffernan would earn All American honors again as a junior with a 4th place finish, finishing one match shy of his third medal in 1989.  Post college Koll went on to a successful international career winning PAN AMERICAN gold in 1989, with World Cup Gold medals in 1990, 1991, 1992 & 1993. After a long and successful stint coaching Cornell (NY) he is now the head at Stanford. 

1987 190 - #8 Dave Dean Minnesota Upsets #1 Eric Mittlestead CSU-Bakersfield 3-2 in QF

Long before his son Gabe became a legend at Cornell (NY) or his son Max began his legendary career at Penn State (which is still in progress) Dave Dean did some pretty memorable things himself at the University of Minnesota. In 1987 in route to an eventual runner-up showing, he knocked off #1 seed Eric Mittlestead of Cal State Bakersfield, the NCAA Division II champion of that season.  Mittlestead would go on to take 7th. Ironically enough, Mittlestead's son, also named Eric is currently on the roster at Cal State Bakersfield himself. Dean would finish 3rd at the NCAA's in 1989, later coaching at Michigan State. 

1987 UNL - #5 Dean Hall Edinboro Upset #1 Tom Erikson Oklahoma State 11-6 in SF

Sometimes in wrestling it's hard to separate fact from fiction. You hear a story wondering if it has any truth to it or if it's complete balderdash. This is one I heard at one time and perhaps someone out there who reads this will either be able to verify its validity or nullify it with a slam dunk of "didn't happen."  

Here's what I know....

Dean Hall originally wrestled for Oklahoma State. He transferred to Edinboro for his final two seasons. Coincidentally enough those final two seasons were when two time NJCAA champion Tom Erikson transferred into Oklahoma State. Now what I heard is that the reason for Hall's transfer was because he couldn't beat Erikson out for the varsity spot on the Cowboy team. Maybe that had absolutely nothing to do with it. If it did though, doesn't it make this semi-final upset all the more epic?  Truth or no truth behind that story, Hall's upset here was still huge. He had won the NCAA DII title in 1986, placing 6th at the DI's. Edinboro moved up to DI in 1987.  Hall graduated with 113 victories. Erikson's famed career was touched on in Part 9 of this series. 

1988 167 - #8 Jim Gressley Arizona State Upset #1 Dave Lee Wisconsin F 3:36 in QF

If you're gonna make history happen, sometimes you gotta do above and beyond what it is that others expect out of you. College wrestling 34 years ago wasn't all that much different than what it is today. Maybe the names have changed a bit, but for the most part it has always been the same few teams that have dominated the field. 1988 was one time when it was different. The one and only time when a school from a state with nice weather in January & February brought home the team title. The Sun Devils of Arizona State won the team championship that winter & it had a lot to do with the performances of guys like Jim Gressley. Only seeded #8, he knocked off the BIG 10 champ & #1 seed Dave Lee of Wisconsin in route to an eventual 3rd place finish. Lee would finish in 6th place. Unfortunately Gressley would finish one match shy of earning a second medal in 1989. Lee had much better luck. Securing a second BIG 10 title, he won the NCAA title. 

1989 126 - #5 Michael Stokes North Carolina State Upset Jim Martin Penn State 2-2, 2-2 in SF

Having finished one match shy of All American honors as a junior in 1988, North Carolina State's Michael Stokes entered his final NCAA tournament in 1989 having never made the award stand. His semi-final opponent on the other hand knew the award stand well. Penn State's Jim Martin had finished 4th in 1986 as a freshman & 2nd in 1987 as a sophomore, winning the national title in 1988 as a junior. Stokes pulled off a huge upset making the NCAA finals as Martin would come back to finish 3rd. 155-9 career record, as impressive as Martin was on the mat he was every bit as impressive off. Carrying a 3.95 GPA throughout school he later became an orthopedic surgeon. 

1989 134 - #4 T.J. Sewell Oklahoma Upset #1 John Fisher Michigan 6-6, 8-1 in SF

This match marked a three time All American up against a four time All American, a two time BIG 12 champion against a two time BIG 10 champion. Oklahoma's T.J. Sewell a junior who had placed 7th in 1988 as a sophomore upset John Fisher of Michigan who had thus far been 4th-4th-3rd during his career. Sewell would place 2nd as Fisher took his place yet again in 4th. As a senior in 1990, Sewell would finish 5th. He later became the board president of the Oklahoma Regional Training Center. Fisher who had 183 varsity wins, continued his wrestling career for the next decade and a half claiming many medals along the way. 

1989 142 - #4 Townsend "Junior" Saunders Upset #1 Mike Cole Clarion 8-5 in SF

In 1988 the NCAA crowned it's first 6th year medical hardship national champion in Scott Turner of North Carolina State. We damn near saw our second 6th year medical hardship NCAA champion in 1989. Placing 3rd at the NCAA championships as a junior in 1987, Mike Cole of Clarion ended up having to miss out on what was supposed to be his senior season of 87'-88'. Applying for an extra season, he was granted one as he wrestled himself to a #1 seed at the NCAA tournament. All seemed promising until he ran into Townsend Saunders, a transfer at Arizona State who had won a NCAA Division II title for Cal State Bakersfield in 1987. Saunders upset Cole in route to a runner-up finish as Cole came back strong through the consolations to finish 3rd. Saunders would finish 3rd himself in 1990. Post college Saunders had an outstanding international career. PAN-AMERICAN gold in 1991 & 1995, he was an Olympic silver medalist in 1996. His wife Tricia in the eyes, heart and mind of many was the pioneer of women's wrestling in this country. Our first Women's World champion, winning three golds in all. 

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Look forward to Part 11 featuring the early 90's coming soon! 



 

Four (Or More) Time State Champions in College = Idaho

 Idaho is a state that seems to come up in discussion every now and again. The state has certainly produced some great wrestlers. North Idaho has for a long time & continues to provide the state's one and only collegiate opportunity. Boise State had a very good team at one time. Both Idaho & Idaho State had respectable programs as well.  As to Idaho's four timers, most of them did continue wrestling beyond high school. 

Monte Lish 

The state of Idaho didn't waste much time in producing their first four time state champion or their first to do it undefeated. The first state tournament was held in 1963 & by 1967 Monte Lish of Marsh Valley at 76-0 stood atop the award stand with his fourth title. 

Chris Owens 

Also going undefeated during his high school career, Chris Owens at 123-0 won his four Idaho state titles for Idaho Falls between 85'-88'.  I believe he may have wrestled in the NJCAA early on in his collegiate career but I know he finished up at Oklahoma State. A two time NCAA Division I All American, Owens placed 3rd in 1990 & 2nd in 1992. 

Brett Lawrence 

A four time Idaho State champion from 93'-96' for Sandpoint, Brett Lawrence competed collegiately for Minnesota. A two time NCAA qualifier he was an All American his senior season of 2001 placing 8th. 

Jared Lawrence 

Brother of Brett, Jared Lawrence also won four state titles for Sandpoint (95'-98') before going on to compete for Minnesota. A four time NCAA All American, Lawrence took back to back 6th place finishes in his freshman & sophomore seasons of 2000 & 2001. He then won the NCAA title as a junior in 2002, finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2003.  He was also a four time BIG 10 finalist, winning titles his sophomore and senior seasons. 

Vance Beeson 

The late Vance Beeson was a four time Idaho State champ for Eagle from 02'-05'. Competing collegiately for Clackamas he was 4th at the 2008 NJCAA tournament. 

Hayden Tuma 

A four time Idaho state champion for Centennial from 11'-14' to my understanding Hayden Tuma skipped the collegiate route to head straight into concentrating on his international career. 

Alius Delarosa 

A four time Idaho State champion for Post Falls from 13'-16', I don't believe Alius Delarosa wrestled in college. 

Mark Bittick 

Mark Bittick who won his four Idaho state titles for Middleton from 68'-71', competed collegiately for Boise State. He won the BIG SKY conference title in 1975. 

Cordell Anderson 

Winning four titles for Preston from 77'-80', Cordell Anderson competed collegiately for Utah State. he was a two time All American taking back to back 6th place finishes in 1985 & 1986. 

Jeff McKinlay 

This one remains a bit of a mystery. Jeff McKinlay won four Idaho State titles for Sugar-Salem from 90'-93'. I think he may have competed for Ricks College which is now known as Brigham Young-Idaho. 

Tony Price 

To my knowledge Tony Price who won four Idaho State titles for Sugar-Salem from 94'-97' did not wrestle in college. 

Clint Wolfley 

Winning four Idaho state titles for Snake River, Clint Wolfley competed collegiately for Boise State. 

Jeremy Ensley 

During high school Jeremy Ensley won four Idaho titles for Homedale from 03'-06'.  He began his collegiate career at Northwest Community College where he finished 5th in the NJCAA in 2007, making the NJCAA finals in 2008. He finished up his career at Colorado-Mesa. 

Shawn Jones 

We often talk about brothers in the sport of wrestling as well as fathers and sons, how about a cousin? Cousin to Clint Wolfley, Shawn Jones won his four Idaho State titles for Snake River from 03'-06'.  Collegiately he competed for both Boise State & Arizona State. 

V.J. Giulio 

Winning four Idaho State titles for American Falls from 08'-11', V.J. Giulio began his collegiate career at North Idaho. Taking 3rd place All American honors at the 2013 NJCAA tournament, he was crowned NJCAA champion in 2014. He then continued his career at St Cloud State where he took back to back 5th place finishes at the Regional tournament. 

Treyton Nilsson 

I know that Treyton Nilsson a four time Idaho State champ for Snake River (12'-15') signed with Chadron State, but I'm not sure if he ever competed there or not. 

Sammy Eckhart 

Winning four Idaho State titles for Fruitland between 14'-17', Sammy Eckhart began his collegiate career at Northeast Junior College where he was a NJCAA qualifier. He finished up at Eastern Oregon. 

Lex Case 

Winning four Idaho State titles for North Fremont from 97'-00', I don't believe that Lex Case ever wrestled in college. 

Jordan Johns 

A four time Idaho State champion for Aberdeen from 00'-03', I don't believe that Jordan Johns ever wrestled in college. 

Raymond Evans 

Raymond Evans was a four time Idaho State champion for New Plymouth from 09'-12'. In college he started off at Clackamas before finishing up his career at Grand View. 

Jared Johnshoy 

A four time Idaho State champion for Melba from 10'-13', Jared Johnshoy started off his collegiate career for Boise State. Forced to find a new home with the discontinuation of Bronco wrestling, he finished up at Colorado Mesa. 

Michael Cook 

A four time Idaho State champion for Kuna from 11'-14', Michael Cook is yet another Idaho standout who was forced to find a new home due to the discontinuation of wrestling at Boise State. He wrestled his last seasons as Maryville. 

Tristian Jarboe

A four time Idaho State champion for Columbia from 11'-14', I don't believe Tristian Jarboe wrestled in college. 

Levi Perry 

Levi Perry won his four Idaho State titles from 13'-16' for Kuna. Collegiately he began his career at North Idaho where he was 3rd at the NJCAA's in 2017 before making the NJCAA finals in 2018. He then chose to be part of the new dynasty at Corban becoming their best wrestler to date with a 6th place finish at the 2021 NAIA's. With as weird as the eligibility rules have been via COVID-19, I'm not 100% sure that his career is over. He may have one more year left. 

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As to others that I know are still competing in college? 

Ridge Lovett of Post Falls is currently at Nebraska. An NCAA DI runner-up last season. 

Jonathon Fagen of Fruitland was wrestling at Cornell, but I believe he'll be at Arizona State this upcoming season. 

Sawyer Hobbs of South Fremont wrestled two seasons at Western Wyoming & is now at Utah Valley. 

Joe Rice of New Plymouth is at Missouri Valley 

Ezekial Williamson of Jerome is at St Cloud State 

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Boise State came up 5 times in this discussion. I'm sure if we took a look at all of the state champs from Idaho as well as other top dawgs who never won a state title, Boise State would come up a lot. It was a great home for Idaho studs looking for a DI opportunity close to home. 

North Idaho doesn't get enough credit for being the phenomenal NJCAA program that it is. Not only providing opportunities for Idaho kids to wrestle in college but for kids from an area that isn't well represented with collegiate opportunity at all. 

Down Goes the #1! - Part 9

 Today we take a look at all of the times at the NCAA DI tournament between 1984 & 1986 when the #1 seed went down before the finals. 

1984 118 - #8 Bob Hallman Northern Iowa Upsets #1 Charlie Heard Chattanooga 7-6 in QF

A graduate of West Des Moines Dowling Catholic, Bob Hallman had thus far never been an All American during his collegiate career. He was now a senior & this was his last opportunity. Low & behold he made it to the quarter-finals where he had to face two time All American (8th in 1982 & 2nd in 1983) & #1 seed Charlie Heard of UT-Chattanooga. Hallman pulled off the upset with a stunning 7-6 victory.  As Hallman would win again eventually earning runner-up status, Heard worked his way back to a 7th place finish. Heard's final win put him at 113 victories against only 10 losses. 

1984 134 - #5 Scott Lynch Penn State Upsets #1 Clar Anderson 11-8 in Semi-Finals 

Representing the Auburn Tigers, you earn All American status as a sophomore at the 1981 NCAA Championships with a 6th place finish. Athletic Director/Football Coach Pat Dye walks into the wrestling room one day. No "thank you for your efforts." No "We appreciate what you did for the school."  *A simple look around the wrestling room as he mutters, "hmm..this would make a good training room."* A while later you're informed that you can no longer represent your school because they will be dropping wrestling. That's what happened to Clar Anderson. No bother. He took the 1982 season off to redshirt & now representing Oklahoma State, he won the NCAA title in 1983. It looked as if he were going to win another NCAA title in 1984, but then he ran into Scott Lynch of Penn State, a fellow senior who was also a two time All American (6th in 82', 4th' in 83).  Lynch upset Anderson 11-8, as he'd go on to win the NCAA title. Anderson came back to finish 5th.  Post their illustrious collegiate careers Lynch became a team doctor for the Penn State football team as Anderson turned his attention to coaching. 

* - This story was told to me by a former Auburn Tiger who was on the wrestling team when it was discontinued. So it is alleged, take his word for it or don't. * 

1985 118 - #8 Matt Egeland Iowa Upsets #1 Mark Perry Oklahoma State in QF

If you got but one shot, you might as well make the most of it right? This was the case for Iowa's Matt Egeland a state champion out of West Des Moines Dowling Catholic. He had recently earned runner-up status as the BIG 10 tournament & figured he might as well make the NCAA finals too. Scoring a 9-8 victory over #1 Mark Perry of Oklahoma State, he made the finals as Perry, who had been 6th in 1984, worked his way back to a 5th place finish. Perry who also won two BIG 12 titles as well as two CKLV titles, graduated with a career record of 102-22. He later coached at Nebraska. Son Mark Jr was a standout at Iowa, while his other son Chris was a standout at Oklahoma State. 

1985 167 - U.S. John Monaco Montclair State Upsets #1 Kevin Jackson Louisiana State 6-5 in R1

We've talked before in this series of small school wrestlers coming in and showing they belong on the mat with big school wrestlers. This time it was NCAA DIII champion John Monaco of Montclair State who pulled off the biggest round one upset of the 1985 DI tournament when he squeaked past Kevin Jackson of Louisiana State 6-5. Monaco would end up in 4th place as Jackson showed great tenacity working his way back to a 7th place finish.  The junior who had finished 3rd in his freshman & sophomore seasons was disappointed with his performance to say the least. To add to his disappointment he came back to the LSU campus only to discover that the Tigers were no longer going to field a wrestling program. He now had to find a new home.  Taking 1986 off to redshirt, Jackson wound up at Iowa State where he made the 1987 NCAA finals. Later he would have tremendous success on the international level  winning Gold medals at the PAN-AMERICAN championships, the World Championships & the Olympics.  As to Monaco he never did find the magic he had at the 1985 NCAA DI tournament, but he was an absolute force to be reckoned with at the DIII level. He'd win two more DIII titles in 1986 & 1987. 

1985 UNL - #8 Kirk Trost Michigan Upsets #1 Rich Peterson Lock Haven 10-8 in QF

With finishes of 2nd & 3rd at the Illinois High School State tournament, Michigan's Kirk Trost never won a title during his prep years. Entering the 1985 NCAA championships as a junior, he pulled off a huge quarterfinal upset over Rich Peterson of Lock Haven in route to finish as the NCAA runner-up.  Peterson who had been one match shy of placing in 1984 as a junior, would again finish one match shy of a medal. Although he never did earn All American status, he graduated with an impressive 120-31 record.  Trost would come back in 1986 to win the national title, later earning a bronze medal at the
 1993 World's. 

1986 126 - #9 Dennis Semmel Army  Upsets #1 Alan Grammer SIUE 11-11, 11-2 in Quarter-Finals

During high school at Lehighton High, Dennis Semmel with finishes of 3rd & 4th never made the state finals. A two time EIWA champion, he had never made All American status. In his final attempt, he made the most of the situation knocking off #1 seed Alan Grammer of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the quarters.  As Semmel finished 2nd, Grammer would end up in 5th. Semmel graduated with a record of 102-20.  Grammer himself was quite the story as well. A native of Evansville Reitz high school, he never won an Indiana state title. He'd more than make up for it winning back to back NCAA DII titles in 1985 & 1986.  Taking 3rd at the 1985 NCAA DI tournament he was also 3rd at the 1984 NCAA DII tournament. 

1986 150 - #9 Scott Turner North Carolina State Upsets #1 Tim Krieger Iowa State in QF

The sport of wrestling has so many inspirational stories & as far as I'm concerned from all perspectives this is one of the best.  Iowa State legend Tim Krieger who won three state titles for Mason City High School only lost three times in total during his entire collegiate career. One of those losses was to Scott Turner of North Carolina State in the 1986 quarterfinals.  Turner would end up in 3rd place as Krieger took 5th. It was far from the last time that the two would meet on the mat.  Krieger who was only a freshman at the time would win the NCAA title in 1987. Turner, a junior, missed out on the 1987 season due to injury.  That was supposed to be it for Turner. An unfortunate end seemed to be the fate handed to the leader of the Wolfpack. Yet when Turner petitioned for a medical hardship, he was granted an extra year of eligibility. In 1988 he entered his final NCAA tournament with three losses on the season. Who were those three losses to? None other than Tim Krieger of Iowa State. Becoming the first Medical Hardship NCAA Champion in history, Turner would again upset Krieger, this time in the NCAA finals.  Krieger who dealt with a knee injury, came back stronger than ever in 1989 winning his second NCAA title. 

1986 UNL - #4 John Heropoulos Iowa State Upsets #1 Tom Erikson Oklahoma State 

They say sometimes coaching can make all the difference in the world & I think it may be fair to say that is the case with both Iowa State's John Heropoulos & Oklahoma State's Tom Erikson. Heropoulos was already a standout for the Cyclones, but when Ed Banach a three time NCAA champion from Iowa began training with him let's just say he went from gold to platinum. The Ohio native had a great 1986 season making the finals with a stunning 3-2 upset over the #1 seed.  Erikson who finished 4th & then took 3rd in 1987 was quite the story himself. We have all sorts of stories of great wrestlers who never won state titles. Great wrestlers who never made the state finals. Even great wrestlers who never placed at the state tournament. How about great wrestlers who never even qualified? That's Tom Erikson. He never made the state tournament, yet by the end of his freshman season at Triton, he was an NJCAA champion. He'd win another as a sophomore before transferring to Oklahoma State.  A 1992 World Cup Gold medalist he'd coach at various colleges including Purdue, Lyon & Duke. 

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Part 10 will include the late 80's, 87', 88' & 89'. 

Four (Or More) Time State Champions in College = Hawaii

 When researching Hawaii High School State wrestling it wasn't as clear, cut & dry as have been the other states that I have researched thus far. I believe that I do have every four time state champion listed in this article, but there is a chance I could be missing some.  The first boy's state tournament took place in 1966 & the first girl's state tournament took place in 1998. 

Our four time Champions & how they did at the collegiate level....

Patrick Higa 

Going 119-0 from 83'-86', Iolani's Patrick Higa became the first four time state champion in Hawaii's history.  He wrestled collegiately for Utah State & then when they dropped their program for Cal State Bakersfield where he made the PAC-12 finals his junior & senior seasons of 90' & 91'. 

Jonathan Spiker 

A four time Hawaii State champion for Saint Louis from 00'-03', Jonathan Spiker was going to wrestle at Harvard but health issues kept him from being able to do so. 

Brandon Low 

Another four time Hawaii State champion from Saint Louis, Brandon Low won his titles from 03'-06'. He competed collegiately for UC Davis where he was a PAC-12 runner-up his senior season of 2010. 

Josh Terao 

Winning four Hawaii State titles for Mid-Pacific, Josh Terao had a standout collegiate career representing the Eagles of American. A three time NCAA qualifier, he was twice an EIWA runner-up in his sophomore & senior seasons of 2017 & 2019. Among these accomplishments he was 3rd in the Midlands as a sophomore, the CKLV runner-up as a junior & 5th at Reno as a senior.  All in all he had 103 varsity victories. 

Caylene Valdez 

Representing Moanalua Caylene Valdez became the first girl's four time state champion when she won her fourth title in 2003. I know she wrestled at least one season at Menlo. 

Randolyn "Hoku" Nohara 

Hoku Nohara won four Hawaii State titles from 04'-07' for Kemehameha-Kapalama. In college she decided to put her focus into softball instead playing for New Mexico State. 

Teshya Alo 

A four time Hawaii State champion for Kemehameha-Kapalama from 13'-16', I don't believe that  Teshya Alo competed in college. 

Lalelei Mata'afa

Winning four Hawaii State titles from 13'-16' for Lahainaluna, Lalelei Mata'afa chose to play Water Polo for Hawaii. 

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I believe Nanea Estrella of Lahainaluna is currently on the Menlo Women's wrestling team. 

Cory Cabanban of St Louis is at Iowa State

Kysen Terukina of Ewa Beach is at Iowa State 

Four (Or More) Time State Champions in College = Georgia

 In many ways I feel the same way about Georgia that I do Florida. I believe it has more than proven itself to be one of the absolute best wrestling states without a NCAA Division I opportunity.  What's nice about Georgia is that they do have other collegiate opportunities at the lower levels. Emmanuel is rather competitive in DII & at the NAIA level Georgia is very competitive. Life is one of the top teams in the entire nation with competitive teams out of Reinhardt, Brewton-Parker & Truett McConnell.  Fact is though, Georgia could most certainly use some Division I representation. 

Ray Harrelson 

The State of Georgia wasted no time in crowning their first four time state champion. Winning his first title as a freshman at the inaugural Georgia State championships as a freshman, he would stand atop the award stand three more times in 62', 63' & 64'.  To my knowledge Ray Harrelson of Briarcliff did not wrestle collegiately. 

Ronnie Davis 

A graduate of Rockmart, Ronnie Davis won four Georgia State titles from 70'-73'. 

Johnny Stallings Jr 

Johnny Stallings Jr won his four Georgia High School State titles for Woodward Academy between 73'-75'.  Competing collegiately for Auburn, he won SEC titles his sophomore & senior seasons of 1977 & 1979, earning three trips to the NCAA tournament. 

Arty McGuire  

A four time Georgia State champion for Lithonia, McGuire won his titles from 73'-76'.  Per my research he did not wrestle in college. 

Pete Fritts Jr 

Another four time champion for Woodward Academy (80'-83') Fritts wrestled collegiately for both Navy as well as James Madison. 

Kenny Johnson   

Johnson won his four state titles in Georgia for Feldwood from 80'-83'.   There was a Kenny Johnson on the roster at Indiana during this time frame, but I have not verified yet if it is the same Kenny Johnson or not. 

Dale Hales 

Dale Hales won two of his Georgia State High School titles for Red Bud & he won the other two for Rockmart between 82'-85'.  Collegiately he wrestled for UNC-Pembroke. 

Joseph Alexander 

Another representative of Rockmart, Joseph Alexander won his four state titles from 87'-90'. 

Scott Hage  

A four time Georgia State champion from 88'-91' for Parkview, Scott Hage was a three time NCAA qualifier for West Virginia in college. 

John Adams 

John Adams was a four time Georgia State champ for Brookstone from 92'-95'.  I know he went to college as he became a surgeon, but I'm not sure if he continued wrestling there or not. 

Sean Hage 

Winning four Georgia State titles for Harrison from 92'-95', Sean Hage competed for West Virginia becoming a two time NCAA qualifier. 

Todd Lambert  

Lambert won four Georgia State titles for McEachern from 92'-95'.  He started off his collegiate wrestling career at Georgia State & when the Panthers discontinued their wrestling program he finished up at West Virginia. 

Witt Durden 

A four time Georgia state champion for Dublin from 95'-98', Durden enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Oklahoma. Placing 3rd at the NCAA tournament in his sophomore & junior seasons of 2001 & 2002, he was also a two time BIG 12 runner-up his junior & senior seasons as well. 

Chris Rodrigues 

A four time Georgia State champion from 97'-00' for Walker School, Chris Rodrigues began his college wrestling career at Michigan. He soon thereafter transferred to North Carolina where he had a standout freshman season earning runner-up honors at the ACC tournament before capturing All American honors with an 8th place finish at the NCAA tournament. He'd win the ACC title as a sophomore, qualifying for his second NCAA tournament appearance before deciding to prematurely end his wrestling career. 

Hunter Garner 

Hunter Garner who won four Georgia State titles for Jefferson from 00'-03', wrestled collegiately for Anderson (SC). 

Paul Stansbury  

Winning four Georgia High School state titles for Dacula from 00'-03', Paul Stansbury wrestled collegiately for Army. 

Forrest Garner 

Another standout for Jefferson who won Georgia State titles from 02'-05', Forrest Garner wrestled for Anderson (SC) during college. 

Tyler Parker 

Parker won his four Georgia State titles for Collins Hill from 02'-05'.  Collegiately he competed for Stanford although most of his career was hampered by injuries. He did manage to place 7th at the PAC-12 championships in 2010 though. 

Garrison Goins 

To my knowledge Garrison Goins who won four Georgia State titles for Ringgold from 03'-06', did not wrestle in college. 

Kyle Baird  

Kyle Baird won four Georgia High School State titles for Jefferson from 04'-07'.  He started off his collegiate career at Gardner Webb, wrestled for a season at Gainesville State & then transferred back to Gardner Webb. 

Carrington Banks 

Competing for both Sequoyah as well as Union Grove, Carrington Banks won four Georgia State titles from 04'-07'. He began his collegiate career at Iowa Central where he was 4th in the nation as a freshman in 2008, before winning an NJCAA title in 2009 as a sophomore. He then transferred to Wartburg where he was a two time NCAA DIII All American placing 7th in 2010 & 4th in 2011. 

Bryan Benton 

Competing for Toombs County, Bryan Benton won four Georgia High School State titles from 06'-09'. I believe he attended Georgia Southern which does have a NCWA team today, but I'm not sure if they had one then or if he competed on it. 

Brandon Westerman 

Winning four Georgia State titles for MeEachern from 06'-09', Brandon Westerman competed for Campbellesville in college. During his junior season he won the regional qualifier, taking 3rd place at the NAIA championships. Injuries caused him to finish 5th at the regional as a senior in 2014, but he was still awarded a wildcard entry to the NAIA national tournament. He made the most of the opportunity earning his second All American honor with a 6th place finish. 

Spencer Jones 

Winning Georgia State titles from 09'-12' Spencer Jones of Darlington to the best of my knowledge did not wrestle in college. 

Chad Starnes 

To my knowledge, Cad Starnes who won four Georgia State titles for Alexander from 09'-12' did not wrestle in college. 

Tyler Askey 

Winning four Georgia High School State titles for Northgate from 10'-13', Tyler Askey competed collegiately for Virginia. Starting off strong by placing 4th at the ACC championships as a true freshman in 2014, he returned to place 3rd as a redshirt sophomore in 2016. Unfortunately injuries would succumb him for the remainder of his career. Despite these hardships, Askey still managed to win 53 varsity matches. 

Chance McClure

Chance McClure was yet another four time Georgia State champion who wrestled collegiately for Virginia. Winning his titles for Commerce from 11'-14', his collegiate career was filled with various injuries. Throughout it though, he was able to win 24 varsity career matches. 

Chip Ness 

Winning four Georgia state titles for Buford from 11'-14', Chip Ness competed collegiately for North Carolina. Earning a trip to the NCAA tournament via wildcard from the ACC championships as a true sophomore, it'd be after a redshirt that Ness really began to shine as a collegiate star. In his off year he placed 7th at the Southern Scuffle to come back at the ACC championships where as a redshirt junior he placed 3rd. He would then garner All American honors with a 7th place finish at the NCAA championships. Taking 4th at the ACC championships in 2019 as a junior, he would earn his second NCAA All American honor by placing 6th. 

Sean Russell 

Collins' Sean Russell who won titles from 11'-14' was another four time Georgia State champion who had a standout career while in college. He started off his career at Edinboro where he won three EWL titles in a row from 16'-18'.  Transferring to Minnesota, he was 3rd in the BIG 10 in 2019.  A four time NCAA qualifier, he earned All American honors with a 7th place finish as a sophomore in 2017.  Other notable credentials include finishes of 3rd-2nd-3rd at CKLV his sophomore, junior & senior seasons. Placing 4th at the Southern Scuffle as a sophomore and 5th at the Midlands as a junior. All in all he won 125 varsity matches while in college. 

Jonathan Ragsdale 

Winning four Georgia State titles for Ragsdale from 12'-15' for Gordon Lee, Jonathan Ragsdale started off his collegiate career at West Virginia before transferring to Reinhardt. 

Taylor Lujan 

Winning four Georgia State championships for Carrollton from 12'-15', I personally consider Taylor Lujan who competed for Northern Iowa in college to be one of the best of all time who never earned a medal from the NCAA tournament. Earning 114 varsity victories over his career, Lujan was a four time NCAA qualifier who made the BIG 12 finals, winning two titles in his sophomore and senior seasons. His freshman season Northern Iowa was in the MAC, where he won a title.  In his freshman & sophomore seasons he was 7th & 3rd at the Southern Scuffle. Northern Iowa then competed at the Midlands tournament during Lujan's junior & senior seasons where he was the runner-up in 2019 & the champion in 2020.  If that's not enough his last three seasons he was also 4th-3rd-4th at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite. 

Justin Rivera 

Justin Rivera won his four Georgia High School State titles for Kennesaw Mountain from 12'-15'.  Collegiately he began his career at Notre Dame (OH) where he placed 3rd at Regionals, taking an 8th place finish at the NAIA championships as a true freshman in 2016. He'd qualify for the NAIA tournament once again in 2017 with a runner-up finish at Regionals. In 2018 he was 5th at Regionals. he transferred to Cumberlands for his final season, but I'm not sure what happened after that. 

Daniel Bullard 

Winning four Georgia state titles for Archer from 13'-16', Daniel Bullard had a standout career in college competing for the Wolfpack of North Carolina State.  Taking back to back 3rd place finishes at the ACC championships his freshman & sophomore seasons of 2018 & 2019, he'd make the ACC finals as a junior in 2020, winning the ACC title as a senior in 2021.  Along with his first ACC title, he also earned his first NCAA All American honor with a 7th place finish.  He was also 3rd at the Southern Scuffle his junior season as well. 

Thomas Bullard 

No, you're not seeing double. Neither were the fans at the Georgia State championships between 2013 & 2016. This is Thomas Bullard, Daniel's brother who also won four state titles for Archer.  Like brother Daniel he also competed for North Carolina State.  Due to the extra year of eligibility granted to collegiate athletes due to COVID-19, Thomas Bullard received an extra year of eligibility which helped him to achieve the status of being a five time NCAA qualifier. A wild card entry in 2017, Bullard would earn runner-up honors at the 2019 ACC championships, taking 3rd in 20', 21' & 22'.  3rd at CKLV in 20', he placed 4th in 20' & 8th in 22' at the Southern Scuffle. 

Dalton Flint 

Winning four Georgia State titles for Commerce between 14'-17', Dalton Flint competed collegiately for Emmanuel. He earned NCAA DII qualification in 2021. 

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We're far from over in seeing four time Georgia State champs competing in college. There are still a ton to this day. 

Justin Ruffin of Union Grove has thus earned two NCAA qualifications for Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Medical hardship should garner him at least one more year of eligibility should he take it. 

Dalton Balkenship of Darlington is at Davidson

Trevor Burdick of Sonoraville is currently at Reinhardt where he was an All American this past season. 

Kyle Gollhofter of Woodland is at Northern Iowa 

Tyler Hunter of Sonarville as well as Dalton is at Navy 

Colton Woods of Darlington is at Air Force

Drew Eller of Evans is at Lander 

Griffin Jarrett of Chattooga I'm not 100% positive about. He may have went the baseball route instead. 

Gavin Kane of Cambridge is at North Carolina. He as an NCAA qualifier this past season. 

Nick Masters of Woodward Academy is at Princeton 

Nick Stonecheck of Buford is at Lock Haven 

Am I wrong for saying it'd be cool to one day say...

Is at Georgia...
Is at Georgia State
Is at Georgia Tech
Is at Georgia Southern 
Is at Kennesaw State 
Is at Mercer

I know I like the sound of that.