I can name three. who wrestled under tremendous talent.

Even though i do not care for him, Kevin Hadley from Phillipsburg never won a state title. He finished runner-up to Barry Samuelson of Oakley his junior year and runner-up to Blake Pilkington of Oakley his senior year. Im not for sure what he placed as a Freshman and Sophmore but he was very talented and he is now a member of the Fort Hays State Wrestling Team.

Another very good wrestler who never won a state title was Shawn Otool of Norton he dominated his Junior and Senior Year.

Thane Van Eaten of stockton was a guy who could just never win it although he dominated alot of his matches

Brian Roberts of Turner, lost to Beeson of Ark City in the finals three times I think and ended up third in the nation in Juco and Division III at Wartburg Iowa later on. Is now a college assistant coach.

Eric Stewart (sp?) from Smith Center was a 4x runner-up in the mid 80's.

Mike Porsch from Hoxie beat the eventual 4A & 3A state champs - Trevor Squibb of Colby and JD Hand of Norton - earlier in the season as a sophomore but got beat out in the consolation semi-finals at state (back when only the top 4 earned honors). Placed 2nd as a junior - lost to Stefan Hahn of Phillipsburg in the finals. Was the top ranked wrestler @ 155 most of his senior year, but was upset in the first round by Podlena of Ellsworth. He won four in a row on the back side before a loss to Hoffer of Beloit in the consolation finals. A very talented wrestler with great strength, quickness and balance. Also had a relentless work ethic. Unfortunately, it just never came together for him at state.

Derek mainus never won a state title his junior year he met up with long and was leading then got pinned (of course a headlock)
but his senior year was very upseting he defeated all his competition during the year he defeated Ngo, of concordia, also derek jones of hoxie on numerous occasions. Ngo of concordia went on the win the state title and mainus fell apart first round. I just thought mainus's name needed mentioned in this topic because he was a very decent wrestler who is still at it and doin well for fhsu.

also if anyone remebers mike kersenbrock of colby he was also a great wrestler that wasn't a champion.

Mine is Seimears of Derby. Never won a championship, but pounded on many a wrestler. Good wrestler.

Travis Martin of Ellsworth was a 3 time State runner-up. He lost in the finals to 2-timer Dylan Campbell of Oakley his freshman year; possible 3-timer Eric Johnson of Norton his junior year; and 2-timer Nick Johnson of Minneapolis his senior year. Martin defeated Nick Johnson 3 times during the season and had wins over Bryce Bahe of Goodland, Shawn O'Toole of Norton and many other talented wrestlers during his career.

chris compton was a real good wrestler at 171, his junior year he beat the defending 4a state champ, amad patillo of paola, at regionals, but then lost to him in the state finals, his senior year he lost to ben ramsey of scott city, the eventual champ, in the semi's

A kid I had at Schlagle Marty Dean. Beat the 6A champ from Manhattan 9-0, beat the 4A state champion who later won the national championship at Missouri Valley (White) 7-1 in the finals of the coffeyville tourney, and lost by a takedown in overtime to three time state champion Shumer of Salina South who went to Missouri in the state semifinals after leading 2-1 on top with six seconds left in the match. Marty was one of the toughest kids I have coached and took third in the state meet. 189lber in 1992

luke page never won a title, but he was pretty good. he beat bancroft, the defending 4a state champ. then lost to him in the state finals. won 130+ matches in his career.

First of all-great topic. I think my pick would be Danny Copeland from Salina Central. I believe he was a four time placer 1984-86. Had to wrestle him a couple times. He was tough! I believe he ran into 2X champ Del Ray both his junior and senior years. I thought he was better than his little brother who was a state champ in 87. Any body else remember him?

Brad Zerr of Oakley was one of the best to never win a title. He was walking through his senior year before he broke his hand. He easily tech falled Miller of Oberlin that year and miller finished third.

B.J. MOORMAN FROM COFFEYVILLE NEVER WON
A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, BECAUSE HE NEVER
WRESTLED IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS HOME
SCHOOLED. HE GAVE HANKINS ALOT OF GOOD
MATCHES IN KIDS THOUGH. I THINK IF HE
WOULD OF HAD AS MANY MATCHES UNDER HIS
BELT, AS OTHERS WHO WRESTLED ALL YEAR IN
SCHOOL, HE WOULD HAVE BEATEN HANKINS. YOU
CAN ALWAYS SAY WHAT IF, BUT HE COULD HAVE
BEEN A 4X CHAMP HE HAD A GREAT DRIVE AND
WORK ETHIC.

I want to get a list of 1 guy from every school in the NCKL on this list. I think Nigel Isom(abilene), Billy Upham(Chapman), John-Paul Shepherd(chapman), and even Chris Kidd(wamego) come to mind. I know that Coach Charbonneau and Coach Moore are probably screaming names out for Clay Center and Concordia respectively as well as the loyal Bulldog fans of Marysville, but I need some legit help with names, because I'm getting to the point my memory goes out more than I do!

Please don't get Nigel started. Are there any topics that people in towns of more than 20,000 respond to? Everyone on here wants to know what people think of their grandson or first cousin's brother-in-law in Whoville. Sorry, I'll quit wasting your time. Let's get back to coulda been Jonny who's wrestled down a job at the COOP after 2 seasons at Central Western Dodge City State University.

Scott Polley, Bonner Springs. 2x finalist. Had it his Jr year and let it slip away. Beat by Stites, a 4 timer, as a Sr. Wrestling on a ride at Stanford.

Takedowns: You get my vote for greatest
all time, were are the best. I just hope
that someday all of us can live in the
big city, and be as big a success as you.
:rolleyes: