My last thought on this subject is there is no way to pick between these guys and so many others. I enjoy the idea that it is good to remember some of them and some of the legendary matches they wrestled. I think it is good for young wrestlers to know something of the greatness that came before them. Those guys didn't have some of the opportunities that exist now and they labored in anonimity back then. Someone should write a book about them sometime before the coaches that coached them are gone. If only there was video back then, it would be special.
Amazing some of these guys who were the best and never won a world, or made an Olympic team. Not that they aren't good, most all of them mentioned are great, but when judging the best, at the very least a NCAA Championship should be considered and beyond that then look at the Olympics. Meheringer, with the gold medal, still is the best until someone else duplicates that task.
A funny sidebar to the Meringer thing. He is from my hometown (Kinsley) When I was a very young wrestler in the late 60's, an elderly man came down and wished me luck before I wrestled in a dual match. I was a little irritated when he grabbed my arm and said something to me. One of your coaches told me to mind my manners that the guy was an olympic champion. I never actually believed him until later when he should me his name in a book. It was true, and he was the real McCoy. A lot of the deal of making those teams is opportunity and availability. There have been a lot of guys who for one reason or another didn't have or didnt choose those paths. Melvin and Eric were or are I guess in Eric's case very very good. Meringer wrestled in an era that was very primitive by today's standards. He began wrestling in county fairs and did not wrestle an interscholastic match until he went to KU. His Olympic trial field consisted of four guys. He was the best of his time for sure, but a very different time.
