Northwestern University Athletics
Top 30 Midlands Wrestlers of 20th Century Named
12/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 15, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. -
The Midlands Wrestling Committee has announced the results of Fan Balloting for the Top 30 Midlands wrestlers of the 20th century. Over 7000 wrestlers have entered the Midlands Wrestling Championships since its beginning in 1963. Ballots were prepared in February with 104 names listed as well as write in options. These were distributed throughout the country at various events as well as sent to many fan's homes.
Tournament founder Ken Kraft said, "We were especially pleased with the response from fans across the country. Many told me of the great difficulty of trying to pick just 30 from the truly outstanding list. We look forward to honoring those in attendance at the first Midlands of this millennium in December."
The four decades of the tournament were all represented with 104 individual Midlands championships among the 30 honorees.
Attached is the Top 30 with their statistics and achievements listed. (University Team, Midlands Competition Year, if applicable Number of Midlands Titles, NCAA Titles, Open Titles, World Titles, Olympic Titles, Special Midlands Records, Current Position in Athletics)
The Top 30 Midlands Wrestlers of the 20th Century
* Carl Adams, Iowa State, 1970, 71, 74, 3 Midlands, 2 Opens, undefeated in Midlands competition (17-0), Head Coach at Boston University.
* Royce Alger, Iowa/Hawkeye Club, 1984,85,87,88,90,93,94, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 3 Opens
* Ed Banach, Iowa, 1978-82, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 1 Olympic
* Bruce Baumgartner, Indiana St., 1979-87, 8 Midlands, 1 NCAA(grand slam winner,), 16 Opens, 3 Worlds, 2 Olympics, 40 straight wins, Athletic Director at Edinboro
* Terry Brands, Iowa, 1988, 90, 91, 97, 2 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 3 Opens, 2 Worlds, Assistant Coach at Iowa
* Tom Brands, Iowa, 1988, 90, 91, 1 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, 4 Opens, 1 World, 1 Olympic, Assistant Coach at Iowa
* Chris Campbell, Iowa, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 4 Opens, 1 World, Director, US Boxing Association
* Tim Cysewski, Iowa, 1972-79, 5 Midlands, 4 Opens, 28 straight wins, Head Coach at Northwestern
* Barry Davis, Iowa, 1980-87, 2 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, 1 Open, 8-time Midlands placer, 39 Midlands wins, head coach at Wisconsin
* Melvin Douglas, Oklahoma, 1983, 85, 89, 91, 92, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 8 Opens
* John Fisher, Michigan, 1984, 87, 89-95, 99, 4 Midlands, only 9-time Midlands placewinner, Assistant Coach at Michigan
* Dan Gable, Iowa St., 1966-71, 6 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 1 World, 1 Olympic, "20 in 4" club, undefeated in Midlands competition 31-0, retired coach, Iowa
* Russ Hellickson, Wisconsin, 1966, 67, 69-71, 73-75, 80, 4 Midlands, 11 Opens, Head Coach at Ohio St.
* Mark Ironside, Iowa, 1994-97, 99, 4 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, "20 in 4" club, 26 straight wins
* Lee Kemp, Wisconsin, 1974-77, 3 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, 6 Opens, 3 Worlds
* Cary Kolat, Penn St/Lockhaven, 1989, 90, 93, 94, 96, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 2 Opens, "20 in 4" club
* Larry Kristoff, Southern Illinois-Carbondale, 1963-66, 4 Midlands, 5 Opens, undefeated in Midlands, 17-0, Retired Coach, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
* Randy Lewis, Iowa, 1977-83, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 1 Olympic
* Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa, 1996, 97, 2 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, 4 Opens
* Kenny Monday, Oklahoma St., 1980, 82, 87, 2 Midlands, 1 NCAA, 1 Open, 1 Olympic
* Steve Neal, California-Bakersfield, 1995-98, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 1 Open, 1 World
* Ben Peterson, Iowa St., 1968-72, 74, 75, 78, 79, 6 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 7 Opens, 1 Olympic, 30 straight wins, Head Coach at Maranatha College
* John Peterson, Wisconsin at Stout, 1969-75, 78, 5 Midlands, 3 Opens, 1 Olympic, 28 straight wins
* Wade Schalles, Clarion, 1971, 72, 75, 76, 78, 79, 4 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 2 Opens, most falls at 165 (6) and 174 (10), Director of AAU Wrestling
* Jim Scherr, Nebraska, 1981-88, 6 Midlands, 1 NCAA, 3 Opens, 25 straight wins, Executive Director of USA Wrestling
* Mike Schmidlin, Cal-Fullerton/Schultz WC, 1983-97, All-time Midlands records: consecutive meets - 15, most wins - 47, most matches - 77, 7-time placer, most falls - 25
* Dave Schultz, Oklahoma, 1979-81, 1 Midlands, 1 NCAA, 10 Opens, 1 World, 1 Olympic
* Joe Williams, Iowa, 1993-99, 6 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, 1 Open, 31 straight wins, "20 in 4" club
* Chuck Yagla, Iowa, 1972-78, 81, Iowa, 3 Midlands, 2 NCAAs, 5 Opens, NCAA Wrestling Official
* Jim Zalesky, Iowa, 1979, 82, 83, 95, 2 Midlands, 3 NCAAs, Head Coach at Iowa
