Toughest high school wrestlers from Illinois

[mckbln]

First of all, Jay Cutler not playing has nothing to do with him not being "tough".

In wrestling, just go back a year and watch Max Schneider winning state with a torn labrum and rotator cuf in his shoulder.

[ex185pounder]

I coach college football. Played both in HS and College. HANDS DOWN....Wrestling is harder. I played in (arguably) one of the top 5 best Hs Football programs of the early 1980's. I also wrestled in one of the best wrestling areas of Illinois. I was sore after football games but I was exhausted and hurting after wrestling matches! In college , yes I was sore till monday from a Sat game. But after a wrestling match I couldnt move or breath or function for days! I also remember talking to Bobby Gassman, Jim Prettman and Pete Derose at a Tourny when we were all in College. They were giving me a hardtime for trying to do both Football and Wrestling. All agreed Wrestling is harder! Also RIP big Jim Prettyman!

[Blonjuan44]

Joe Sowinski, collegiate nickname the "the Ironman" (I guess that means your tough). NFL team offered him job as player (before draft). Coached wrestling instead, wore a plastic suit every practice which was at least into his 60's maybe 70's - at which he wrestled. (don't think thats tough, try it. coached for TF South). I don't recall where he wrestled - might have been Indiana but I'll assume IL, but he also coached & wrestled in Illinois so still counts...