Illinois all time team

[J.J.]

126: Randy Conrad (East Leyden)
145: Bob Holland (East Leyden)
155: Mike Kraft
185: Kenny Rutger (Thorton)
Hwt.: Kurt Bangston (East Leyden), James Irons (Bloom)

[bigvern77]

Originally Posted by wrestlr89

I too am a Zajac fan. Vern, how about your picks?


98 - Mike Farina
103/105 - Ed Giese
112 - John Starzyk
119 - Cal Ferry
125/126 - Tony Ramos
130/132 - Israel Martinez
135 - Joey Gilbert
138/140 - Albert White
145 - T.J. Williams
152/155 - Eric Tannenbaum
160 - Joey Williams
167/171 - John Dergo
185/189 - Shane Zajac
215 - Russ Weil
275/HWT- John Gurka

I don't have much knowledge of wrestling before 1991. That's when I started wrestling and I was not involved in the sport before then. If I say that someone before '91 is the best, it would be only what I have seen on tape.

98-Mark Ruettiger (He was pre-'91 but was my HS school coach so he gets the nod! I have seen tape.)
103-Lindsery Durlacher (Definitely NOT a sympathy vote!)
112-Israel Martinez (Should have been a 4x'er. Has to be on this list somewhere!)
119-Cal Ferry (Should have been a 4x'er!)
125-Tony Ramos (Even though I am not a fan!)
130-Steve Williams (I have only seen tape of him, but PRETTY good!)
135-Joey Gilbert (Andrew was in our conference and he was one of the first wrestlers I ever saw. I was AMAZED!)
140-Albert White
145-TJ Williams
152-Eric Tannenbaum
160-Joe Williams
171-John Dergo (Just as good of a football player.....maybe better at football!)
189-Shane Zajac (I am a little biased since he was a teammate)
215-John Lockhart (Jon Lovrich was the most dominant for a single year, but that was the first year of 215.)
HWT-Hubert Thompson (BOO!!! Looked like a 40 year old out there wrestling toddlers!)

[lw174p]

Originally Posted by bigvern77

I don't have much knowledge of wrestling before 1991. That's when I started wrestling and I was not involved in the sport before then. If I say that someone before '91 is the best, it would be only what I have seen on tape.

98-Mark Ruettiger (He was pre-'91 but was my HS school coach so he gets the nod! I have seen tape.)
103-Lindsery Durlacher (Definitely NOT a sympathy vote!)
112-Israel Martinez (Should have been a 4x'er. Has to be on this list somewhere!)
119-Cal Ferry (Should have been a 4x'er!)
125-Tony Ramos (Even though I am not a fan!)
130-Steve Williams (I have only seen tape of him, but PRETTY good!)
135-Joey Gilbert (Andrew was in our conference and he was one of the first wrestlers I ever saw. I was AMAZED!)
140-Albert White
145-TJ Williams
152-Eric Tannenbaum
160-Joe Williams
171-John Dergo (Just as good of a football player.....maybe better at football!)
189-Shane Zajac (I am a little biased since he was a teammate)
215-John Lockhart (Jon Lovrich was the most dominant for a single year, but that was the first year of 215.)
HWT-Hubert Thompson (BOO!!! Looked like a 40 year old out there wrestling toddlers!)

I am a Zajac fan myself got to watch him while I was in Junior High just amazing. Good picks all around

[Tobin44]

I have to think about an all time dream team for illinois wrestlers. In order for me to make up the list I just want to know if it is solely based on high school career or is college career taken into account also?

[Tobin44]

how about Dan Collins at 130? the guy was a beast.

[calotofwrestling]

98 Mark Ruettiger
105 Cal Ferry
112 Izzy Martinez
119 John Starzyk
125 Mike Mena
130 Joey Gilbert
135 David Douglas
140 TJ Williams
145 Albert White
152 Joe Williams
160 Mike Benefiel
171 Jevon Herman
189 Lee Munster
215 Michael Sojka
HWT Garrett Goebel

[mckbln]

98 Mark Ruettiger
105 Cal Ferry
112 Izzy Martinez
119 John Starzyk
125 Mike Mena
130 Joey Gilbert
135 David Douglas
140 TJ Williams
145 Albert White
152 Joe Williams
160 Mike Benefiel
171 Jevon Herman
189 Lee Munster
215 Michael Sojka
HWT Garrett Goebel




Good list; I might put Dergo in at 171. No doubt about Starzyk at 119.

I have to go with Sam Brooks (OPRF) at 189lbs...I am biased but, come on...numerous time AA at Fargo, 4xSQ, 3xFinalist, 2xChamp, and a Greco Jr World bronze medalist.

[calotofwrestling]

Originally Posted by mckbln

I have to go with Sam Brooks (OPRF) at 189lbs...I am biased but, come on...numerous time AA at Fargo, 4xSQ, 3xFinalist, 2xChamp, and a Greco Jr World bronze medalist.

He was next on my list just had to fit 3 time champ Munster in there I couldve moved Munster down and Herman out but Herman was a 3 time finalist and 1 time champ and both loses in finals were to Kading

[wrestlingnut]

Great topic, seems to always come up. I think you need to consider the wrestlers entire record including internatioal style and college. Some great HS wrestlers didn't have the same success in college for a variety of reasons including Albert White, Israel, Cal Ferry, and Mike Benefiel. White and Martinez were Junior college champs but that is not Division 1 level.

Any list needs to have Tannenbaum and Poeta. Tannenbaum was 2X Junior Freestyle Champ, University National Freestyle Champ, 2X Big Ten Champ, 4X AA and national runner up. Tannenbaum was one of three wrestlers to beat Mark Perry twice in college. Poeta was a Junior National Champ, 2X Big Ten Champ, 3X AA and 2X national runner up. Poeta is considered to be one of the best all time wrestlers to not have won an NCAA championship.

[calotofwrestling]

Originally Posted by wrestlingnut

Great topic, seems to always come up. I think you need to consider the wrestlers entire record including internatioal style and college. Some great HS wrestlers didn't have the same success in college for a variety of reasons including Albert White, Israel, Cal Ferry, and Mike Benefiel. White and Martinez were Junior college champs but that is not Division 1 level.

Any list needs to have Tannenbaum and Poeta. Tannenbaum was 2X Junior Freestyle Champ, University National Freestyle Champ, 2X Big Ten Champ, 4X AA and national runner up. Tannenbaum was one of three wrestlers to beat Mark Perry twice in college. Poeta was a Junior National Champ, 2X Big Ten Champ, 3X AA and 2X national runner up. Poeta is considered to be one of the best all time wrestlers to not have won an NCAA championship.

My list was high school only accomplishments if it included college and international then precin,kennedy,dergo,blanton,tannenbaum,bormet,poeta and kading would be on my list and izzy,ferry,starzyk,douglas,white,benefiel and herman would be off.