Post your bio and background here...

[THE_ONE]

Originally Posted by MR TWISTER

Well I started this so let me introduce myself. Most of you know me anyway but I am Andre' Morgan. I have lived for half a century(50) and that in itself is an accomplishment that I am very proud of. This is a dangerous world. My father Charles who was a college athlete is the picture of health at age 78 so based on that I think my future looks good. I have my wife Nicole (always 16) is a currency exchange manager, my oldest son Sergio (25) is a college admissions counselor and my baby son Mario (19) is a architechual engineering major (and a wrestler) at Nebraska - Omaha. Sergio was a very good football player for Homewood Flossmoor and Chicago Voc. He lasted all of one week in the wrestling room and told me he had a real problem with butt drags, referee positions and the such. Mario meanwhile took to wrestling like a duck to water. He was introduced to the sport by his football coach at the age of 6. I have a beautiful grandaugter, Samiyah (3) who is the most beautiful woman in the world and can have anything I have at anytime. People think I spoiled my sons, just wait until I finsh with Samiyah...LOL

I am a special education teacher for the Chicago Public schools. But sometimes that is just my job because I do so much more. I am a licensed football and baseball official. I work a lot of college baseball and it is my real passion. I graduated from Governors State but also attended Lewis University and Chicago State playing baseball at both schools. I also played two years of college golf but have not touched my clubs in 10 years. I don't know why? I had the special joy of being in a major motion picture Hardball (with Keanu Reeves) with my son. I am a former coach of football and basebal. I have coached baseball on the college level and that was a great time in my life. I am an accmplished artist/photographer and as a teenager won many painting and drawing national contest. In both high school and college I was the editor of the newspaper and that skill has transfered into my working as a reporter at the Chicago Sun Times.

I am addicted to CSI-Las VEgas, NFL football (Bears season ticket holder..yes!), Ice Tea, 2 a.m. movies on the big screen at my house, nice gym shoes, comfortable blue jeans, Rolex watches and 75 degree days. Oh an I guess the internet too.

In h.s school I played many sports but not wrestling. I was running track during the winter. But once my son discovered wrestling I did too. We have kind of been on this whirlwind journey together and what a ride it has been. From the IWF vs IKWF Civil War to the Mt Carmel (an amazing school) experience to the collegiate level with a national level type team. Wrestling has consumed whateve space I have left in the day and that's okay with me.

Love that movie...which part are you in??

[Grappler177]

My name is Bill and I like long walks on the beach, the moonlight on clear summer night and ooh, wrong site for that.

Seriously, I am 35 (almost 36 and not unlike the previous poster, counting the days (13)), married with 3 kids – Kailey (12), Colette (11) and Colin (4) - and 1 beautiful wife – Meg (who will always be 29). Born and raised on the NW side of Chicago (Go SOX!) and only 6 years ago moved to Oswego.

I have spend most of my working life in sales and now am in Management for a company that sells marketing services to ad agencies and large corporations (well, small ones too). I am both blessed and cursed to be able to work from home – if you have ever worked from a home office with kids around, you understand. We are truly blessed to be able to have a job that allows us to live the “American Dream”.

My wrestling background is relatively short when compared to others but … With the help of some classmates and 1 dedicated teacher we started the Von Steuben High School team my Junior year of school. Aside from a few cheesy Chicago park district meets when I was 8 or 9, that was my introduction to wrestling. Did okay in HS, was even a City qualifier my Senior year. At that, the bug was planted. Wrestled for a year at Triton college – getting my butt handed to me (2 – 12). Took a year off school and coached back at Von Steuben, then returned to Triton, faired a bit better (20 – 18) and was a NJCAA national qualifier (2 – 2 at nationals). From there went to Central MO State University on (partial) scholarship and held my own finishing with over 50 college wins (JUCO and D2 combined). After that, I was mostly away from the sport until my oldest started wrestling for the middle school, which reignited the flame just a year ago.

Presently, I wrestle mostly cause I love it and it is so much fun to compete in tournaments with your kid. That has been an experience I will never forget – I hope she says the same. Since everyone is talking about the kids program, I want to mention that we have been taken in by the fine people at Aurora East (go Tomcats) – quality people there who love wrestling and pass that passion on to the kids. Highly recommended.

When not wrestling or working I enjoy family time (great ages) and the occasional drink or 12 with buddies. Of course there are the SOX (who I enjoy watching even this year), football and a multitude of other activities too. I do enjoy reading matmen and feel that it keeps me in touch with what is going on with the wrestling community here in IL – thanks to all that make that possible.

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Though I have never been anonymous here, this is a cool idea … hope everyone jumps on board.[/font]

[top schalar]

my name is top schalar and I have wrestled with some success in the past. I have a network in the college community that is very deep and only provide information I know to be true. I love long walks on the beach, my dogs, my wife and informing those on the outside looking in whats going on on the inside. My favorite wrestler is Mario Morgan and I love the Harvey Twisters.
________
BMW S1000RR

[oldpioneer]

Originally Posted by top schalar

my name is top schalar and I have wrestled with some success in the past. I have a network in the college community that is very deep and only provide information I know to be true. I love long walks on the beach, my dogs, my wife and informing those on the outside looking in whats going on on the inside. My favorite wrestler is Mario Morgan and I love the Harvey Twisters.

and.............................don't want to post your bio!

[cradle54]

My name is Greg Schroeder, 19 and I visit this website very often to keep track on high school wrestling, I can never seem to get enough of it. I come from a decent size family with My parents ,two brothers, and two sisters that makes for a total of Seven. Both my brothers wrestled in High School for Glenbard West. I started wrestling In 6th grade for Glenside middle school (Iesa) and it was not a very serious program at all at the time, but it got me started and I learned some of the basics. I did not know of all the various wrestling clubs till into my 8th grade year and it was too late to join a club. I stayed wrestling for Glenside Middle school and I had a new coach my 8th grade year Chris Baima who was a two time state qualifier I believe for Glenbard West. That helped me alot in getting more technique down and really getting me started in wrestling. I took 5th my 8th grade year in the Iesa kinda chocked... lol. Then went on to start my High School Career at Glenbard west High School wrestled there my Freshmen year. Then My Sophmore year my Mom wanted to move to a new town so we moved from Glendale Heights to Batavia where I wrestled for the rest of High School Career. I got alot more involed in wrestling at Batavia and Had some very good practice parnters and Coaches (Joey Graves, Chris O'connell, and Clint Arliss. Who were very talented and pushed me as well as our coaches. My junior year is when I started to push myself more to get better when We had Ben Heizer as an Assistent coach (Div 1 runnerup) He ran our practices and worked us very hard to get the basics down and conditioned us alot. My Senior year we lost Heizer but brought in another Good Assistent coach Named Luke Arenson who was a State Champ from Wisconsin and was around my weight this helped me alot as there was someone tough to wrestle with my senior year when we lost the three wrestlers listed above to Graduation. I Trained very hard my Senior to become a state qualifier.To accomplish something both my brothers never did ( They both took 4th in sectionals their seniors years in the very hard Naperville North Sectional) and the hard work paid off. My senior year I ended up taking 6th in the state. But Could not have done it without the help of lots of people the person the helped me the most is my brother kyle he is 23 now. I now wrestle for North Central College at 174 Where I just finished my freshmen year. I Certified at 157 but wrestled up because we Had an All American at 57 and National qualifier at 65 I did alright going up two weight classes going 17-12. I am lifting hard and now weigh around 180 so this year I be alot closer to a full 174 Pounder next year. Our whole team is working very hard to reach are goal of a National title. We Finished 10th last year are highest finish ever and 9th Academically. I want to be a High School wrestling coach after My Career is over.

[RAMbunctious]

My name is Scott Tickner. I just turned 56 years old and live in deep southern Illinois in Mt. Vernon. I teach and coach at Mt. Vernon High School and will be beginning my 36th year there in a couple of weeks. My wife Bonnie and I have been married for 34 years. She is a teacher and librarian at Woodlawn High School. We have two daughters. Tracy, the oldest, is married lives in Aurora and works at the Chicago Board of Trade. Holly, our youngest, lives in Detroit and is a freelance artist.

I grew up in the small southern Illinois town of Fairfield. We didn't have a wrestling team when I was in school, but my P.E. teacher had been a wrestler in high school and college and introduced me to the sport as part of the P.E. curriculum and intramural program. Two years after I graduated, the school started a wrestling team. I graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1973 wit a B.S. in Health Ed. I got my M.S. in Health Ed. from SIUC in 1980. While at SIU, I had several friends who were members of the Saluki wrestling team (yes, SIUC had wrestling back then & even beat the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1970). I developed a love for the sport and participated in the university's intramural program.

I began my coaching career at MVHS as a football coach in 1973. I 1977 the school decided to start a wrestling program and I was asked if I would coach it. I accepted the position not knowing a great deal but I went to every clinic & read every book I could. I told that first team that we would learn this sport together and I made sure to stay at least a day ahead of the kids. We struggled those first couple of years, but but managed to put together winning seasons. In 1981 we won our first AA Regional Title and had a AA state medalist, Ernie Badger. Badger then went on to win an NCAA Div II National title and 3 All American plaques at SIU Edwardsville. I think I am living proof that you don't have to have been a successful athlete in a sport to be able to successfuly coach it. We coach kids, not sports. In 2001 I stepped down as head coach at Mt. Vernon High because I was tired & thought I need to slow down a bit. I continued in my role as an assistant football coach. From 1977 to 2001 we won 329 duals and had only 1 losing season. I found that I missed the sport more than I thought I would and began coaching our IKWF team in 2003. In 2005 I was asked by the high school to return as head coach, but had to decline because I was diagnosed with cancer that fall. My course of treatment was a success and I am cancer free. I returned to matside for Mt. Vernon High in 2006 and plan to continue in that role until I retire in 2009. After I retire, I will probably continue in some role with our IKWF team. I am very involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and have served as our schools Huddle Coach since 1974.

[ZBCOACH]

Okay I'll get in the mix here. My name is Tommy Streib. I started wrestling in Waukegan middle schools sytem under a great man named Steve Welter. I was a trouble maker and was offered a lot of detention time or I could wrestle. I chose wrestling over cleaning the lunchroom every night it felt like. I then moved to Beach Park which feeds into Zion Benton High School. I did not wrestle my freshman year choosing to follow my favorite sport of baseball. ( I began playing traveling team as a 9 year old on the 11-12 year old team) Then my sophmore year the head coach and my mentor to this day, Hal Lunsford, convinced me to wrestle in his second year as head coach. I was a good wrestler but under sized. I wrestled 215 and 275 weighing 205. Held my own but could have been better if I were to take things more serious.

I began coaching a week after graduating in our summer program. I love every second of it and wouldn't change a day I spent in the mat room. I recently graduated from Trinity International University with my B.A. in Physical ED. I was togo to Wisconsin Parkside out of high school to wrestle but they dropped their P.E. program then brought it back a year later, those bastards. I also student taught under a great coach from Round Lake Mr. John Jobst. I have a lovely wife who I have been with for nearly 8 years ( began our junior year of high school) and a beautiful son who loves going to practices and wrestling with his old man. Any questions please ask.

[larry b]

Larry Beebe I have 6 kids 5 sons and a daughter . Have been involved thru my kids for 17 years in some sort or another. My kids started with the Wabounsie Braves, Fox Valley, then Martinez Fox valley Elite. Now a couple are on to Central Michigian and one is into MMA.If you think it is hard watching your kids wrestle you aint seen nothing. Life has handed me many changes in the last couple of years but not having a kid in HS or kids club might be the toughest yet, as that will be next year. I work downtown on the CBOE as a floor trader and all my kids seem to be interested in that field, they figure if I can do it it can not be that hard. Well I said short so that is about it at least for now.

[DawgeatDawg2]

Originally Posted by agdfan

For those of you who don't know, My name is Gail Rush. I am Clayton's mom. I work part time for some people here in Aledo who raise and show Quarter Horses. We raise a few as well on our little 15 acre farm. My hubby, Rick, has his own concrete business. Clayton has an older brother, Jayson, who is married and made me a grandmother last October, and he also has an older sister, Courtney, who is in the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE and is stationed in Tuscon.
I got my hand in wrestling back in the early 70's. My brother wrestled and was actually one of the first state qualifiers from Aledo. My oldest son wrestled, but we didn't have a club here until Clayton was about 4, Jayson was in 8th grade. I was very involved with IKWF, helping organize the Kids Open for several years and was the assistant sectional director for quite awhile. We really attribute alot of Clayton's success to IKWF and we also wouldn't give up the any of the many friendships we have developed throughout the IKWF years. Oh...I coached Clayton during all his IKWF (got to walk the walk 2 times...it was awesome) and still have my coaches card and bronze certification. I am not shy, probably talk way to much, but I try to choose my battles carefully(only the ones I can win!!) Mike Urwin is my hero (way overworked and underpaid). Mike Powell is my favorite coach, Twist is my favorite poster, and yes, little Clayton Rush is my favorite wrestler to watch!!

Hey Gail, you kinda forgot to mention your age.

[Timesfreelanceguy]

Shannon Heaton, 41, Moline, IL

Believe it or not, Neuquafan and I used to be in a fantasy football league together. Interesting side trivia moment, if he reads this, send me a PM.

Until March, when I made a somewhat-large but not huge error in judgment, I was the wrestling beat writer for the Moline Dispatch and Rock Island Argus. That error in judgment sent me, briefly, to Iowa, but I am back now. I am trying to get back on the Dispatch-Argus staff in any capacity in which they'll have me. I hope I can. We'll see.

My first exposure to wrestling came in high school, when I was pinned in about six seconds by our team's 145-pounder when we were both freshmen. Interesting...when they say look up at the lights during a pinning move, they're usually referring to the guy on top, but the guy on bottom sure sees them well, also...

I went to the University of Iowa during the heart of the Hawkeyes' NCAA title runs (Royce Alger, Brad Penrith, Rico Chiapparelli, Jim Heffernan, Mark Sindlinger, et al) and covered the team for the Daily Iowan for one season. When I went to my first newspaper, the sports editor there assumed that, since I was from Iowa, I knew all about wrestling. At that time, all I was sure of was that I needed money to pay my car insurance and keep myself well-stocked in CDs and books, so I said sure. That was the 1988-89 Wisconsin season (in which I was introduced to USA Greco-Roman great Dennis Hall, as well as Jim Scherr, now a big wheel in the U.S. Olympic movement), and the love affair hasn't stopped ever since.

Some of the wrestlers that I've been able to cover -- who might be familiar to the Chicagoans on this board -- included Lambros Fotos, A.J. Lavender, Nic George and Adam Sheley in Class AA (plus a huge amount of others, all of whom I've really come to respect, but these four have all made the Grand March or won titles in AA), and several Class A champs and placewinners, including multiple-time finalists Tyler Clark and Clayton Rush.

I have come to get to know several coaches that are outside of my home area through my coverage. I respect the hell out of Dan Carroll and Mark Gervais, and Keith Healy always says hello to me at the Geneseo tournament. All three are guys to whom I would send my son, if they're still coaching in a few years when he enters high school (and I happen to move inside their 30-mile radius, LOL). I've tried to learn as much about the elite Chicago kids as I can, and I'm always impressed by their abilities.

I also am a big fan of all of the local coaches, as well as the coaches from Sterling, Sterling Newman and Dixon, particularly Coach Thorpe. I also am a big fan of what Peter Alber has been able to do at Dakota.

Hopefully, I'll be able to continue my participation on this board as a wrestling writer. If not, well, I've enjoyed the chance I've gotten. I've had the opportunity to cover each of the last seven state tournaments, and I hope that string doesn't end there.