Greatest wrestler of all time from your state?

[Badcat]

Cary Kolat would be about as good as any from PA. Jordan Oliver might soon merit that.

Oliver is VERY good, but Chance Marstellar has the potential to beat out even the great Kolat for this distinction...but we're 8 years from that discussion.

[dback_5]

Being from Iowa would have to say Gable without question. There have been so many greats though it is hard to say. The Brands bros would have to be up there too.

[BlueBloodLion]

It would also be great if people mentioned what state they are from as they are doing this.

[Herkey#1]

It would also be great if people mentioned what state they are from as they are doing this.

Nebraska

[kr1963]

Credit to Justin Kerr of Intermat for this excellent write up.

1. Cary Kolat (Pennsylvania)

While picking the top 20 among so many worthy contenders was difficult, picking No. 1 was actually quite easy. None have excelled so early as Cary Kolat. First, there is the fact that Kolat racked up a 137-0 ledger on his way to four state titles in wrestling-rich Pennsylvania. Moreover, Kolat placed at the Midlands as a sophomore and as a junior, back when that tournament was as tough as the NCAAs. Among his great achievements in that tournament were pinning NCAA All-American Shawn Charles -- and actually wrestling a 1-0 bout with Olympian Ken Chertow his junior year. Chertow, ironically enough, had a much easier time with NCAA champion Terry Brands in the finals that year than he did with the junior in high school from Rices Landing, Pennsylvania.

Kolat even showed he could compete at the very highest level by placing at the U.S. Open. Beating top senior level competition in high school was almost commonplace for Kolat. For example, as a junior in high school, in an open tournament, Kolat won easily over NCAA champion Sean O'Day.

Kolat had a mystique about him in high school that made it inconceivable that he would ever lose. Even other great wrestlers seemed to say his name with what might be described as reverence. Like Hahn, Kolat was so good coming out of high school that many would consider collegiate career -- two-time NCAA champion, four-time top-three finisher, and his international career -- Olympian, two time world medalist -- a disappointment. He was two upset losses away from being a four-time NCAA champion, and an entire article could be written about how he was robbed by FILA out of being a multiple-time world and Olympic champion.

Perhaps in terms of talent but you could also argue about Wade Schalles, Rob Koll, Nate Carr, Kevin Darkus or Stan Dziedzic in terms of actual records or medals won.

[Flop The Nuts]

Perhaps in terms of talent but you could also argue about Wade Schalles, Rob Koll, Nate Carr, Kevin Darkus or Stan Dziedzic in terms of actual records or medals won.

I saw Koll, Carr, Darkus, and Kolat all wrestle in person, and I'd give an edge to Kolat as a wrestler. Carr was the best athlete though, unbelievably ripped and quick.

[quinn14]

From Ohio it has to be Lee Kemp

[Zapp Brannigan]

Either Bono or Hazewinkel.

[TomWright25]

Credit to Justin Kerr of Intermat for this excellent write up.

1. Cary Kolat (Pennsylvania)

While picking the top 20 among so many worthy contenders was difficult, picking No. 1 was actually quite easy. None have excelled so early as Cary Kolat. First, there is the fact that Kolat racked up a 137-0 ledger on his way to four state titles in wrestling-rich Pennsylvania. Moreover, Kolat placed at the Midlands as a sophomore and as a junior, back when that tournament was as tough as the NCAAs. Among his great achievements in that tournament were pinning NCAA All-American Shawn Charles -- and actually wrestling a 1-0 bout with Olympian Ken Chertow his junior year. Chertow, ironically enough, had a much easier time with NCAA champion Terry Brands in the finals that year than he did with the junior in high school from Rices Landing, Pennsylvania.

Kolat even showed he could compete at the very highest level by placing at the U.S. Open. Beating top senior level competition in high school was almost commonplace for Kolat. For example, as a junior in high school, in an open tournament, Kolat won easily over NCAA champion Sean O'Day.

Kolat had a mystique about him in high school that made it inconceivable that he would ever lose. Even other great wrestlers seemed to say his name with what might be described as reverence. Like Hahn, Kolat was so good coming out of high school that many would consider collegiate career -- two-time NCAA champion, four-time top-three finisher, and his international career -- Olympian, two time world medalist -- a disappointment. He was two upset losses away from being a four-time NCAA champion, and an entire article could be written about how he was robbed by FILA out of being a multiple-time world and Olympic champion.

Badcat--I was writing my post when you posted this. We agree on Kolat but your read was very interesting--I didn't know all of that. I was also factoring in college and international careers which I don't know if the original question considers them as well. If based purely on high school then Kolat would top Oliver.