Favorite college wrestlers of all-time

[MPhillips]

1 minute ago, nhs67 said:

Were Nickal not a cocky turdbiscuit, he'd be that guy.

[Antitroll2828]

7 hours ago, BloodRound said:

Made for such a good story before turning to stupid trollbait content in his UFC transition.

Agreed unfortunately 

[Powershouse]

I moved to MN and started following NCAA wrestling in the late 80's, 90's so I have an anti-Iowa bias and I never saw some of the earlier legends that are on so many lists.

D. Ness, B Askren and B. Andonian were a trio of the most exciting NCAA wrestlers because yo never knew what was going to happen next.

Ryan Lewis was the right guy at the right time for my sons and I to be fans. It was all over once he hooked up those arm bars!

Kole Konrad. Watching him compete against and eventually develop a strategy to defeat Mocco was exciting. Heroes need foils and the Conrad/Mocco rivalry was great.

The Brandvold-era Gable Steveson. There was never a question of his physical talent but Steveson peaked when he had Brandvold in his corner to keep his mind right.

Dake - Mr. Bright Lights. He always rose to the occasion. The bigger the stage the better he wrestled.

Dieringer, Yianni and Vito would round out my list.

Hot take: David Taylor is a popular choice here and an incredible wrestler, but I found him boring to watch. 

[poke1]

I would have to say Johnny Thompson was my favorite. He showed that he was one of the most improved wrestlers from High School to college.  For being only a one time state champ in high school, to a two time National Champ and a runner up.

[poke1]

1 minute ago, poke1 said:

I would have to say Johnny Thompson was my favorite. He showed that he was one of the most improved wrestlers from High School to college.  For being only a one time state champ in high school, to a two time National Champ and a runner up.

So another great question would be how many 1 time high school champs went on to be multiple NCAA champs?

[Wrestleknownothing]

16 minutes ago, poke1 said:

So another great question would be how many 1 time high school champs went on to be multiple NCAA champs?

Nick Lee is another. 

[SEKPoke]

Kade Brock 

Dieringer

Seth Gross 

Bryce Meredith 

Jayden Eirman

Andonian

KOT

Hamiti

 

[ionel]

1 hour ago, poke1 said:

I would have to say Johnny Thompson was my favorite. He showed that he was one of the most improved wrestlers from High School to college.  For being only a one time state champ in high school, to a two time National Champ and a runner up.

2-1-1-3 correct?

[gimpeltf]

Pat Santoro 0x State Champ

[BigRedFan]

2 hours ago, poke1 said:

So another great question would be how many 1 time high school champs went on to be multiple NCAA champs?

Gabe Dean (3,1,1,2) never won a state title.  So, I guess he doesn't qualify according to your standard!

[poke1]

27 minutes ago, BigRedFan said:

Gabe Dean (3,1,1,2) never won a state title.  So, I guess he doesn't qualify according to your standard!

Did not know that about Gabe.  That's even more impressive.

[11986]

10 hours ago, BigRedFan said:

Gabe Dean (3,1,1,2) never won a state title.  So, I guess he doesn't qualify according to your standard!

he was a state champ, at least according to this bio from Cornell

Prior to Cornell

• Dean was a two-time state finalist at Lowell HS, winning a state title as a junior and placing as the runner-up as a senior.

Gabe Dean - 2016-17 - Wrestling - Cornell University Athletics

[BigRedFan]

8 minutes ago, 11986 said:

he was a state champ, at least according to this bio from Cornell

Prior to Cornell

• Dean was a two-time state finalist at Lowell HS, winning a state title as a junior and placing as the runner-up as a senior.

Gabe Dean - 2016-17 - Wrestling - Cornell University Athletics

You are, of course, correct.  I misread it (or stopped reading too quickly!).

So he qualifies exactly:  "how many 1 time high school champs went on to be multiple NCAA champs?"

[11986]

8 minutes ago, BigRedFan said:

 

So he qualifies exactly:  "how many 1 time high school champs went on to be multiple NCAA champs?"

yes he does