FI: Top Illinois High Schoolers By Decade
FI: Top Illinois High Schoolers By Decade
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FI: Top Illinois High Schoolers By Decade
Seth Schwartz, Illinois Insider
FloInsider will bring you the best state features from around the country. You've probably already seen the Grade Level rankings from PA.
Here we offer a historic perspective on the great state of Illinois across four decades.
Look for similar features from other tradition-rich states.
1970s
Bob Holland, East Leyden, 1973
Two-time state champion. Dominated for two years on powerhouse teams. Great all-around wrestler. Superb balance, strength and exceptional grip. Turned people into pretzels. Controlled everybody, nobody touched him.
2. King Mueller, Romeoville, 1974.
Two-time champion. Strong as a bull, quick, cut like Adonis. Fundamentally sound guy who could do it all.
3. Scott Trizzino, Joliet Central, 1976
Two-time state champion. Physically dominant, chiseled out of stone, difficult to score on; no weaknesses. Like Mueller, ahead of his time physically.
4. Brad Smith, Hersey, 1972
Two-time state champion. A grinder, very physical, tough on his feet and on mat.
5. Randy Conrad, East Leyden, 1978
Great technician, fast strong, tough on the mat. One of four state champions on the 1978 squad that was one of the states most dominant teams.
1980s
1. Joey Gilbert, Andrew, 1989
First four-timer in Class AA. Physical wrestler, virtually impossible to score on.
2. Ed Giese, Fenton, 1981
Takedown machine. Holds state record for most consecutive wins at 132.
3. Mark Ruettiger, Providence, 1981
First four-time champion. Solid all around. Tough on mat, dangerous on top. hard to score on.
4. Jack Griffin, Stagg, 1986
Two-time champion. Slick wrestler, takedown artist whose was tough on feet his feet.
5. Sean Bormet, Providence, 1989
Exceptional defense, great hand fighter, great on top. Untouchable as a senior going 53-0 with 48 pins.
1990s
1. Joe Williams Mt. Carmel, 1993
Dominating physically, Williams turned heads winning his first title at 135; fourth one was at 160. Unstoppable double-leg, all business on the mat, impossible to score on.
2. Mike Mena, 1992, Sterling Newman
Takedown artist, strong on feet. Very confident. Second four-time champ in Class A.
3. T.J. Williams, Mt. Carmel, 1996
Takes first title at 135, fourth title at 145.
4. Eric Siebert, LaSalle-Peru, 1993
Dominating takedown artist, holds state record with 40 consecutive pins.
5. David Douglas, Thornridge, 1997
Very good on feet, tough on top.
2000s
1. Eric Tannenbaum Naperville North 2004
Three-time champion going 176-1. He who took down everyone with masterful single and double combinations.
2. Mike Poeta, Highland Park, 2005
After taking third his first two years, Poeta pairs with coaches Griff Powell and Tony Siebert and goes undefeated junior and senior seasons taking down all comers. Explosive on his feet, he was called by one college coach, ‘the fastest white kid I’ve ever seen.’
3. Mike Benefiel, Montini, 2007
Dominating four-timer, exceptional athlete, crushed everyone his senior year at the Class AA level. Tied with Albert White for second with all-time career wins at 200.
4. Jordan Blanton, Richmond-Burton, 2008
Three-timer with a career record of 152-1. His only loss came to Benefiel in the state finals.
5. Albert White, St. Rita, 2007
Very quick, double-leg was unstoppable. 4x State Champion.
Top 5 All-Time
1. Joe Williams, Mt. Carmel, 1993
2. Joey Gilbert, Andrew
3. T.J. Williams, Mt. Carmel
4. Eric Tannenbaum, Naperville North
5. Ed Giese, Fenton
Seth Schwartz, Illinois Insider
FloInsider will bring you the best state features from around the country. You've probably already seen the Grade Level rankings from PA.
Here we offer a historic perspective on the great state of Illinois across four decades.
Look for similar features from other tradition-rich states.
1970s
Bob Holland, East Leyden, 1973
Two-time state champion. Dominated for two years on powerhouse teams. Great all-around wrestler. Superb balance, strength and exceptional grip. Turned people into pretzels. Controlled everybody, nobody touched him.
2. King Mueller, Romeoville, 1974.
Two-time champion. Strong as a bull, quick, cut like Adonis. Fundamentally sound guy who could do it all.
3. Scott Trizzino, Joliet Central, 1976
Two-time state champion. Physically dominant, chiseled out of stone, difficult to score on; no weaknesses. Like Mueller, ahead of his time physically.
4. Brad Smith, Hersey, 1972
Two-time state champion. A grinder, very physical, tough on his feet and on mat.
5. Randy Conrad, East Leyden, 1978
Great technician, fast strong, tough on the mat. One of four state champions on the 1978 squad that was one of the states most dominant teams.
1980s
1. Joey Gilbert, Andrew, 1989
First four-timer in Class AA. Physical wrestler, virtually impossible to score on.
2. Ed Giese, Fenton, 1981
Takedown machine. Holds state record for most consecutive wins at 132.
3. Mark Ruettiger, Providence, 1981
First four-time champion. Solid all around. Tough on mat, dangerous on top. hard to score on.
4. Jack Griffin, Stagg, 1986
Two-time champion. Slick wrestler, takedown artist whose was tough on feet his feet.
5. Sean Bormet, Providence, 1989
Exceptional defense, great hand fighter, great on top. Untouchable as a senior going 53-0 with 48 pins.
1990s
1. Joe Williams Mt. Carmel, 1993
Dominating physically, Williams turned heads winning his first title at 135; fourth one was at 160. Unstoppable double-leg, all business on the mat, impossible to score on.
2. Mike Mena, 1992, Sterling Newman
Takedown artist, strong on feet. Very confident. Second four-time champ in Class A.
3. T.J. Williams, Mt. Carmel, 1996
Takes first title at 135, fourth title at 145.
4. Eric Siebert, LaSalle-Peru, 1993
Dominating takedown artist, holds state record with 40 consecutive pins.
5. David Douglas, Thornridge, 1997
Very good on feet, tough on top.
2000s
1. Eric Tannenbaum Naperville North 2004
Three-time champion going 176-1. He who took down everyone with masterful single and double combinations.
2. Mike Poeta, Highland Park, 2005
After taking third his first two years, Poeta pairs with coaches Griff Powell and Tony Siebert and goes undefeated junior and senior seasons taking down all comers. Explosive on his feet, he was called by one college coach, ‘the fastest white kid I’ve ever seen.’
3. Mike Benefiel, Montini, 2007
Dominating four-timer, exceptional athlete, crushed everyone his senior year at the Class AA level. Tied with Albert White for second with all-time career wins at 200.
4. Jordan Blanton, Richmond-Burton, 2008
Three-timer with a career record of 152-1. His only loss came to Benefiel in the state finals.
5. Albert White, St. Rita, 2007
Very quick, double-leg was unstoppable. 4x State Champion.
Top 5 All-Time
1. Joe Williams, Mt. Carmel, 1993
2. Joey Gilbert, Andrew
3. T.J. Williams, Mt. Carmel
4. Eric Tannenbaum, Naperville North
5. Ed Giese, Fenton