SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 1-3-08
Oh Brothers, the toughest brothers
ever in South Carolina wrestling!
Robby and Tommy Bell -- brothers that wrestled
at Hillcrest and now coach together.
This may be the most difficult article to write here at SCMAT.
Why?
There have been so many brother combinations in 40 years that we certainly will miss a family tree
somewhere in the mix. We will do our best to list every set of brothers which fit the article section
that we are covering, so if we miss any please let us know (scmat@hotmail.com). This means that in our
current season 2007-2008, we may not mention brother combinations until the season is over and we can
add 2008 accomplishments into the statistics. Each year, we are certain to add to the lists below.
Another reason this article is difficult to write is it does not cover "family" in it's entirety.
We could certainly look at the impact fathers/mothers/sisters/uncles/cousins have on wrestlers,
but we don't cover that here. We only focus on brothers that wrestled and placed in State and
primarily we will look at brothers that both won State Championships.
Before going further, I need to say "Thanks!" to all the coaches that contributed time into the
research for this article. Contributions came from Danny Holland, Phil Williams, Jim Barnes,
Tommy Bell, Derek Strobel, Mark Tillotson, Steve LaPrad, B.D. LaPrad, John Thompson, Robby Bell,
Ed Coles, Quincy Riley, Chad Singleton, Jeff Fann and Thomas Britt to name a few.
Before I started this article I was searching all over for any similar stories to inspire the
concepts, and just last night I found this story which brings credibility to the theory that
wrestling may create opportunities for brothers to succeed more than any other sport.
Check out ESPN's article last season on how successful siblings bolster nation's top programs.
So, before I completed the theory research on brothers impacting high school wrestling I ventured into
U.S. and World History. I did not intend to put in more research, but it added an exclamation point!
Most of us are intriqued with Collegiate Brothers and Olympian Brothers that have achieved success -
Family names such as Peery, Smith, Zalesky, Banach, Brands, Steiner, Zadick, Schlatter, Carr, Scherr,
Schultz, Koslowski, Peterson, Purler, Askren and Sanderson come to mind. Brothers grow up wrestling
and often take that intensity and rivalry to the mats at school. And, some brothers take it all the
way to the world stage.
The United States has a history of wrestling brothers going to the Olympics in the same year:
1968 - Dave and Jim Hazewinkel
1972 - Dave and Jim Hazewinkel - * both now coaching Dorman's Cee-Jay Hamilton at Marion Military Academy
1972 - John and Ben Peterson
1976 - John and Ben Peterson
1984 - Ed and Lou Banach
1984 - Dave and Mark Schultz
1988 - Bill and Jim Scherr
1988 - Dennis and Duane Koslowski
And recently several other well known brothers have shared the stage on the same U.S. World Team:
1993 - Tom and Terry Brands - the only two U.S. teams to win World Team Titles in freestyle
1995 - Tom and Terry Brands - the only two U.S. teams to win World Team Titles in freestyle
2006 - Bill and Mike Zadick - Gold and Silver
And, how about this impressive list of 17 brothers that were both NCAA D1 National Champions
(I searched all over for this list, but finally had to create it myself, so it may be missing
some brothers since it's not an NCAA official version):
1980 Ed Banach Iowa
1981 Ed Banach Iowa
1983 Ed Banach Iowa
1981 Lou Banach Iowa
1983 Lou Banach Iowa
1941 Earl VanBebber Oklahoma St.
1929 Jack VanBebber Oklahoma St.
1930 Jack VanBebber Oklahoma St.
1931 Jack VanBebber Oklahoma St.
1990 Terry Brands Iowa
1992 Terry Brands Iowa
1990 Tom Brands Iowa
1991 Tom Brands Iowa
1992 Tom Brands Iowa
1983 Adam Cuestas Cal St. Bakersfield
1981 Dan Cuestas Cal St. Bakersfield
1982 Dan Cuestas Cal St. Bakersfield
1981 Jim Gibbons Iowa St.
1985 Joe Gibbons Iowa St.
1962 Masaaki Hatta Oklahoma St.
1965 Tadaaki Hatta Oklahoma St.
1941 Burl Jennings Michigan St.
1942 Burl Jennings Michigan St.
1941 Merle Jennings Michigan St.
1942 Merle Jennings Michigan St.
1970 Darrell Keller Oklahoma St.
1971 Darrell Keller Oklahoma St.
1968 Dwayne Keller Oklahoma St.
1970 Dwayne Keller Oklahoma St.
1972 Pat Milkovich Michigan St.
1974 Pat Milkovich Michigan St.
1972 Tom Milkovich Michigan St.
1940 Don Nichols Michigan
1939 Harold Nichols Michigan
1955 Ed Peery Pittsburgh
1956 Ed Peery Pittsburgh
1957 Ed Peery Pittsburgh
1952 Hugh Peery Pittsburgh
1953 Hugh Peery Pittsburgh
1954 Hugh Peery Pittsburgh
1938 Allen Sapora Illinois
1929 Joe Sapora Illinois
1930 Joe Sapora Illinois
1984 Bill Scherr Nebraska
1984 Jim Scherr Nebraska
1982 Dave Schultz Oklahoma
1981 Mark Schultz Oklahoma
1982 Mark Schultz Oklahoma
1983 Mark Schultz Oklahoma
1987 John Smith Oklahoma St.
1988 John Smith Oklahoma St.
1980 Lee Roy Smith Oklahoma St.
1990 Pat Smith Oklahoma St.
1991 Pat Smith Oklahoma St.
1992 Pat Smith Oklahoma St.
1994 Pat Smith Oklahoma St.
1993 Terry Steiner Iowa
1992 Troy Steiner Iowa
1996 Joe Williams Iowa
1997 Joe Williams Iowa
1998 Joe Williams Iowa
1999 T.J. Williams Iowa
2001 T.J. Williams Iowa
And, what family of brothers holds the NCAA record for the greatest number of individuals
earning All-American status? The Carr family from Erie, PA, with five brothers.
But, enough about U.S. and World history, let's get to some of the South Carolina brothers
that have accomplished greatness. Some of the interest going on this year comes from a
lot of brother teams that have been dominant - like the Harpers, Martins, Becks, Willards,
Alleys and other brothers that are continuing family traditions like the McClesters, Poynters
and Sunkins.
I had a feelings that after looking at the historical state championship numbers there would
likely be a change going on at the top with "Most State Championships in a Family of Brothers".
And it does appear like in the 2007-2008 season we will have some brothers passing other brothers
in the recordbooks.
Here is SCMAT's list of 48 brother combinations wrestling in South Carolina that have both won
State Titles (ordered by Last Name, First Name):
Josh Arthur - Broome 2A-1A (Sr. 2006 171 1st)
Justin Arthur - Broome 3A (Sr. 2003 130 1st)
Josh Austin - Camden 3A (Jr. 2006 275 1st)
Thomas Austin - Camden 3A (Jr. 2004 275 1st)
Troy Bartges - Stratford 4A (Sr. 1998 189 1st)
Vince Bartges - Stratford 4A (Sr. 1999 140 1st)
Robby Bell - Hillcrest 4A (Fr. 1995 130 1st)
Robby Bell - Hillcrest 4A (So. 1996 140 1st)
Robby Bell - Hillcrest 4A (Jr. 1997 145 1st)
Robby Bell - Hillcrest 4A (Sr. 1998 152 1st)
Tommy Bell - Hillcrest 4A (Sr. 1996 135 1st)
Mike Bennett - Bishop England 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1973 132 1st)
Rusty Bennett - Bishop England 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1971 103 1st)
Rusty Bennett - Bishop England 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1972 112 1st)
Doug Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (So. 1981 145 1st)
Doug Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (Sr. 1983 155 1st)
Pernell Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (So. 1982 138 1st)
Pernell Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (Jr. 1983 145 1st)
Pernell Brockington - St. Andrews 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1984 155 1st)
Franklin Brockington - Lake City 3A (Sr. 2002 171 1st)
Richard Brockington - Lake City 3A (Jr. 2002 152 1st
Richard Brockington - Lake City 3A (Sr. 2003 160 1st)
Watch Brockington - Lake City 3A (Sr. 2002 135 1st)
Marcus Canipe - Chesterfield 2A-1A (So. 2001 103 1st)
Marcus Canipe - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Jr. 2002 130 1st)
Troy Canipe - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Sr. 2002 189 1st)
Kendrick Cherry - Rock Hill 4A (Jr. 1996 152 1st)
Marcus Cherry - Rock Hill 4A (So. 1998 112 1st)
Marcus Cherry - Rock Hill 4A (Jr. 1999 119 1st)
Marcus Cherry - Rock Hill 4A (Sr. 2000 125 1st)
Ben Connell - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Fr. 1997 215 1st)
Ben Connell - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (So. 1998 215 1st)
Ben Connell - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Jr. 1999 215 1st)
Ben Connell - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 2000 275 1st)
Campbell Connell - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (So. 2007 160 1st)
Matt Crain - Greer 3A (Jr. 2000 152 1st)
Travis Crain - Greer 3A (Jr. 1997 275 1st)
Larry Craven - Fort Johnson 4A-3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1971 154 1st)
Mike Craven - Fort Johnson 4A-3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1976 145 1st)
Willie Craven - James Island 4A-3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1969 UNL 1st)
Corey Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (So. 1986 119 1st)
Corey Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1988 145 1st)
James Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (Fr. 1987 98 1st)
James Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (So. 1988 105 1st)
Carlos Davis - Chester 4A (Sr. 1991 140 1st)
Tony Davis - Chester 4A (Sr. 1990 119 1st)
Floyd Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (So. 1978 98 1st)
Floyd Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (Jr. 1979 105 1st)
Floyd Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (Sr. 1980 112 1st)
Leo Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (Sr. 1979 126 1st)
Danny Dotter - Hanahan 3A (Sr. 1983 126 1st)
Adam Duncan - West-Oak 2A-1A (So. 1994 160 1st)
Adam Duncan - West-Oak 2A-1A (Jr. 1995 160 1st)
Adam Duncan - West-Oak 2A-1A (Sr. 1996 160 1st)
Jarrod Duncan - West-Oak 2A-1A (Jr. 2000 215 1st)
Calvin Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1979 155 1st)
Calvin Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1980 155 1st)
Chris Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1978 155 1st)
Chris Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1979 167 1st)
Doug Gainey - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 2001 112 1st)
Justin Gainey - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 1998 103 1st)
Dalton Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Fr. 2005 112 1st)
Dalton Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (So. 2006 125 1st)
Dalton Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Jr. 2007 130 1st)
Ian Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Fr. 2007 112 1st)
Jeremy Johnson - Aynor 2A-1A (Sr. 1996 135 1st)
Sam Johnson - Aynor 2A-1A (Sr. 1994 189 1st)
Benjy LaFond - Summerville 4A (So. 1986 112 1st)
Benjy LaFond - Summerville 4A (Jr. 1987 119 1st)
Benjy LaFond - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1988 126 1st)
Johnny LaFond - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1983 145 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (Fr. 1978 132 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (So. 1979 155 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (Jr. 1980 175 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (Sr. 1981 175 1st)
Larry Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1980 98 1st)
Larry Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1981 105 1st)
Bryce Martin - Eastside 3A (Fr. 2005 103 1st)
Bryce Martin - Eastside 3A (Jr. 2007 135 1st)
Corbin Martin - Eastside 3A (Fr. 2005 112 1st)
Corbin Martin - Eastside 3A (So. 2006 125 1st)
Corbin Martin - Eastside 3A (Jr. 2007 140 1st)
Jordan Martin - Eastside 3A (Sr. 2005 152 1st)
Lance McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (So. 2004 125 1st)
Lance McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Jr. 2005 135 1st)
Lance McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 2006 140 1st)
Ryan McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (So. 1999 112 1st)
Ryan McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Jr. 2000 119 1st)
Ryan McClester - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 2001 119 1st)
Jeremy Moseley - Chapin 2A-1A (Fr. 1997 103 1st)
Jeremy Moseley - Chapin 2A-1A (So. 1998 112 1st)
Jeremy Moseley - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 2000 135 1st)
John Moseley - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 1995 135 1st)
John Parrott - Christ Church 2A-1A (Sr. 1992 119 1st)
Will Parrott - Christ Church 2A-1A (Sr. 1997 130 1st)
Damien Pegues - Cheraw 2A-1A (Jr. 2004 103 1st)
Damien Pegues - Cheraw 2A-1A (Sr. 2005 103 1st)
Eddie Pegues - Cheraw 2A-1A (Jr. 2003 125 1st)
Dan Phillips - Loris 2A-1A (Jr. 1999 135 1st)
Rocky Phillips - Loris 2A-1A (Fr. 2002 103 1st)
Rocky Phillips - Loris 2A-1A (Sr. 2005 140 1st)
John Powers - T.L. Hanna 3A (??. 1983 185 1st)
Tom Powers - T.L. Hanna 3A (??. 1982 185 1st)
Brent Poynter - Eastside 3A (Jr. 2001 152 1st)
Brent Poynter - Eastside 3A (Sr. 2002 160 1st)
Cliff Poynter - Eastside 3A (Sr. 2000 171 1st)
David Reeve - Greer 3A (??. 1978 138 1st)
Mark Reeve - Greer 4A-3A-2A-1A (So. 1974 98 1st)
Mark Reeve - Greer 4A-3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1975 112 1st)
Mark Reeve - Greer 4A-3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1976 126 1st)
Kenny Renfroe - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 1996 135 1st)
Lloyd Renfroe - Lugoff-Elgin 3A (Sr. 1992 160 1st)
Danny Rumble - Hanahan 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1991 145 1st)
David Rumble - Hanahan 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1984 132 1st)
Joey Rumble - Hanahan 3A-2A-1A (So. 1986 138 1st)
Joey Rumble - Hanahan 3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1987 155 1st)
Joey Rumble - Hanahan 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1988 167 1st)
Corneilius Selke - Dutch Fork 4A (So. 2004 112 1st)
Corneilius Selke - Dutch Fork 4A (Jr. 2005 119 1st)
Corneilius Selke - Dutch Fork 4A (Sr. 2006 119 1st)
T.J. Selke - Dutch Fork 4A (Jr. 2002 135 1st)
T.J. Selke - Dutch Fork 4A (Sr. 2003 140 1st)
Joe Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Fr. 1980 105 1st)
Joe Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (So. 1981 119 1st)
Mike Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Jr. 1980 132 1st)
Mike Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 1981 132 1st)
Pat Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 1980 126 1st)
David Smith - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1979 145 1st)
David Smith - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1980 155 1st)
David Smith - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1981 167 1st)
Tommy Smith - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (??. 1985 155 1st)
Tommy Smith - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (??. 1986 167 1st)
Taris Smith - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (So. 1989 119 1st)
Taris Smith - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1990 125 1st)
Taris Smith - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1991 125 1st)
Terrance Smith - Swansea 2A-1A (So. 1994 112 1st)
Terrance Smith - Swansea 2A-1A (Sr. 1995 119 1st)
Chris Smythe - Spring Valley 4A (Sr. 1998 171 1st)
Jason Smythe - Spring Valley 4A (Sr. 1991 160 1st)
Chad Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Jr. 1994 171 1st)
Chad Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1995 189 1st)
Craig Stephenson - Mauldin 4A (So. 1993 189 1st)
Craig Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Jr. 1994 189 1st)
Craig Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1995 275 1st)
Aaron Strobel - Irmo 4A (Jr. 1991 152 1st)
Aaron Strobel - Irmo 4A (Sr. 1992 171 1st)
Derek Strobel - Irmo 4A (So. 1991 103 1st)
Cavin Sunkins - Hilton Head 3A (Jr. 2007 171 1st)
Mike Sunkins - Hilton Head 4A (Sr. 2002 152 1st)
Lamar Thompson - Rock Hill 4A (Jr. 1990 145 1st)
Lamar Thompson - Rock Hill 4A (Sr. 1991 145 1st)
Wes Thompson - Rock Hill 4A (Sr. 1986 UNL 1st)
Jason Valek - Dutch Fork 3A (Jr. 1993 140 1st)
Parker Valek - Irmo 4A (Sr. 2002 189 1st)
Andrew Walker - Swansea 2A-1A (Sr. 1981 138 1st)
Dennis Walker - Swansea 2A-1A (Jr. 1992 140 1st)
Dennis Walker - Swansea 2A-1A (Sr. 1993 140 1st)
Roslin Walker - Swansea 3A-2A-1A (??. 1986 145 1st)
Charlie Warren - Camden 4A (??. 1984 119 1st)
Thomas Warren - Camden 3A-2A-1A (??. 1986 126 1st)
Thomas Warren - Camden 3A-2A-1A (??. 1987 126 1st)
Barry Westfield - Woodruff 2A-1A (??. 1982 145 1st)
Michael Westfield - Woodruff 2A-1A (??. 1978 167 1st)
Dan Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (Fr. 1987 112 1st)
Dan Wirnsberger - Blue Valley, Kansas (So. 1988 132 1st)
Dan Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1989 152 1st)
Dan Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1990 152 1st)
Dave Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (??. 1987 132 1st)
Arthur Young - Summerville 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1976 132 1st)
James Young - Summerville 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1974 126 1st)
And, there's a possibility these State Champions were brothers,
but we still need to confirm:
Darryl Moses - Sumter 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1975 185 1st)
Frank Moses - Sumter 4A-3A-2A-1A (??. 1974 UNL 1st)
Patron Smith - Belton-Honea Path 3A (So. 1992 125 1st)
Thomas Smith - Belton-Honea Path 3A-2A-1A (Jr. 1988 175 1st)
If you feel we are missing any State Championship Brother combinations
or have any updates to the above list please send an e-mail to scmat@hotmail.com
Interesting Trivia Fact #1 ---
So, who is the toughest set of brothers? Here is the list of "Most Family State Titles",
and we will let you judge:
6 - Mack (Barnell and Larry) Swansea (2A-1A)
6 - Martin (Bryce, Corbin and Jordan) Eastside (3A)
6 - McClester (Lance and Ryan) Lugoff-Elgin (3A)
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5 - Bell (Robby and Tommy) Hillcrest (4A)
5 - Brockington (Doug and Pernell) St. Andrews (3A, 3A-2A-1A)
5 - Connell (Ben and Campbell) Lugoff-Elgin (3A)
5 - Dotter (Floyd, Leo and Danny) Bonds-Wilson, Hanahan (3A)
5 - Rumble (Danny, David, Joey) Hanahan (3A-2A-1A)
5 - Selke (Corneilius and T.J.) Dutch Fork (4A)
5 - Shelble (Joe, Mike, Pat) Chapin (2A-1A)
5 - Smith (David and Tommy) Swansea (2A-1A)
5 - Smith (Taris and Terrance) Swansea (2A-1A)
5 - Stephenson (Chad and Craig) Summerville, Mauldin (4A)
5 - Wirnsberger (Dan and Dave) Greer (3A-2A-1A)
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4 - Brockington (Franklin, Richard and Watch) Lake City (3A)
4 - Cherry (Kendrick and Marcus) Rock Hill (4A)
4 - Creech (Corey and James) Dreher (3A-2A-1A)
4 - Duncan (Adam and Jarrod) West-Oak (2A-1A)
4 - Fowler (Calvin and Chris) Greer (3A)
4 - Harper (Dalton and Ian) Chesterfield (2A-1A)
4 - LaFond (Benjy and Johnny) Summerville (4A)
4 - Moseley (Jeremy and John) Chapin (2A-1A)
4 - Reeve (David and Mark) Greer (4A-3A-2A-1A, 3A)
4 - Walker (Andrew, Dennis and Roslin) Swansea (2A-1A, 3A-2A-1A)
Where will the record be in a few years?
The Martin (Bryce and Corbin), McClester (Justin) and Harper (Dalton and Ian) families
have a chance this year to add to their totals above, but there are certainly no guarantees,
only opportunities. For all three families, reaching 8 is feasible in 1-2 years, but it
will certainly be harder than the numbers game on a web page (or paper). But, the odds of
reaching 7 or 8 Individual State Titles in one family is in favor of us "seeing it" in 2008.
That is, if we were were all in 1 gym for State Finals. We have so many choices now, ouch.
Imagine though the magnitude of this record being broken - the current record of 6 titles
in one family was set in 1981 by Barnell and Larry Mack. Though the record has
been tied twice now by the Martin's and McClester's in the last few years,
the record has not been broken for 26 seasons!
Interesting Trivia Fact #2 ---
There have been a number of occasions where three brothers all won state titles
across different years (Craven, Dotter, Rumble, Walker), but ..............
how many times have three brothers all won State titles in the same year?
3 times believe it or not! Here they are, ordered by year and then weight class:
Joe Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Fr. 1980 105 1st)
Pat Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 1980 126 1st)
Mike Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Jr. 1980 132 1st)
Watch Brockington - Lake City 3A (Sr. 2002 135 1st)
Richard Brockington - Lake City 3A (Jr. 2002 152 1st
Franklin Brockington - Lake City 3A (Sr. 2002 171 1st)
Bryce Martin - Eastside 3A (Fr. 2005 103 1st)
Corbin Martin - Eastside 3A (Fr. 2005 112 1st)
Jordan Martin - Eastside 3A (Sr. 2005 152 1st)
Interesting Trivia Fact #3 ---
And, how many times have two brothers won State titles in the same year
other than the three brothers list above? 14 times, and here they are:
Robby Bell - Hillcrest 4A (So. 1996 140 1st)
Tommy Bell - Hillcrest 4A (Sr. 1996 135 1st)
Doug Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (Sr. 1983 155 1st)
Pernell Brockington - St. Andrews 3A (Jr. 1983 145 1st)
Corey Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (Sr. 1988 145 1st)
James Creech - Dreher 3A-2A-1A (So. 1988 105 1st)
Floyd Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (Jr. 1979 105 1st)
Leo Dotter - Bonds-Wilson 3A (Sr. 1979 126 1st)
Calvin Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1979 155 1st)
Chris Fowler - Greer 3A (??. 1979 167 1st)
Dalton Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Jr. 2007 130 1st)
Ian Harper - Chesterfield 2A-1A (Fr. 2007 112 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (Jr. 1980 175 1st)
Larry Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1980 98 1st)
Barnell Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (Sr. 1981 175 1st)
Larry Mack - Swansea 2A-1A (??. 1981 105 1st)
Bryce Martin - Eastside 3A (Jr. 2007 135 1st)
Corbin Martin - Eastside 3A (Jr. 2007 140 1st)
Joe Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (So. 1981 119 1st)
Mike Shelble - Chapin 2A-1A (Sr. 1981 132 1st)
Chad Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Jr. 1994 171 1st)
Craig Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Jr. 1994 189 1st)
Chad Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1995 189 1st)
Craig Stephenson - Summerville 4A (Sr. 1995 275 1st)
Aaron Strobel - Irmo 4A (Jr. 1991 152 1st)
Derek Strobel - Irmo 4A (So. 1991 103 1st)
Dan Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (Fr. 1987 112 1st)
Dave Wirnsberger - Greer 3A-2A-1A (??. 1987 132 1st)
Interesting Trivia Fact #4 ---
Back on February 20, 2007 The Greenville News, with staff writer Ann Green, wrote an exceptional
article on Jordan, Bryce and Corbin Martin and the challenges they have faced with a genetic
bleeding disorder known as Hemophilia. It certainly gives anyone reading this article the
inspiration that life obstacles can all be managed. Thanks to The Greenville News for
covering the sport of wrestling and sharing this story with our wrestling fans across S.C.
And thanks to the Martin family for sharing their story in a media interview to
encourage others facing similar challenges.
Interesting Trivia Fact #5 ---
What are the most # of brothers to ever reach the State Finals of the SC State Tournament
over their careers? 4 brothers in the Dotter family accomplished the record many years ago.
*** Note - if we missed a family with 4 or more brothers that have reached the State Finals
please let us know .. scmat@hotmail.com .. Here are the 4 Dotter brothers State placements:
1978 132 3A 2nd Buddy Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1978 98 3A 1st Floyd Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1979 105 3A 1st Floyd Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1980 112 3A 1st Floyd Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1979 126 3A 1st Leo Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1982 119 3A 3rd Danny Dotter Bonds-Wilson
1983 126 3A 1st Danny Dotter Hanahan
Interesting Trivia Fact #6 ---
Though a number of the brother combinations we covered above wrestled in college and some
even qualified and/or placed at Nationals, only two brothers have both gone on to become
NCAA D1 Wrestling Qualifiers. Aaron Strobel (Irmo) and Derek Strobel (Irmo and Dutch Fork)
accomplished the feat twice. Injuries right before NCAA Nationals actually kept both of
them from qualifying three straight years. Including high school and college, they make
a strong case for being considered the toughest brothers.
Aaron Strobel - 190 lbs. (wrestling for Clemson University in 1995)
Aaron Strobel - 190 lbs. (wrestling for Oklahoma State University in 1996)
Derek Strobel - 158 lbs. (wrestling for Appalachian State University in 1996)
Derek Strobel - 167 lbs. (wrestling for Appalachian State University in 1997)
Interesting Trivia Fact #7 ---
Two brothers that both coached in S.C. and produced state champions is a rarity. At the moment,
only B.D. and Steve LaPrad from Roanoke, VA have impacted S.C. as brothers coaching different
teams and state champions, though one day we could see more of this positive impact from SC natives.
The LaPrad brothers have amassed in the neighborhood of 800 career high school dual victories in SC
between the two of them, including 8 state championships at 4 different schools. Their legacy of
producing college wrestlers, coaches and contributors to the sport has been beyond parallel for
any brothers.
Interesting Trivia Fact #8 ---
If we look at the Career Wins list at SCMAT for two brothers as of the 2006-2007 season totals,
we find that a number of brothers created an interesting competition for the leader board.
Of course if we added the third brother to some of these totals this would change, so
for now we've taken the totals listed on our Career Wins list from the top two brothers:
299 total wins - Corneilius and T.J. Selke - Dutch Fork
297 total wins - Brent and Cliff Poynter - Eastside
286 total wins - Robby and Tommy Bell - Hillcrest
283 total wins - Lance and Ryan McClester - Lugoff-Elgin
264 total wins - Craig and Chad Stephenson - Summerville
260 total wins - Jarrod and Adam Duncan - West-Oak
251 total wins - Matt and Chris Ellis - Irmo
237 total wins - Josh and Justin Arthur - Broome
232 total wins - Chris and Jason Smythe - Spring Valley
231 total wins - Josh and Abram Cramer - Rock Hill
Interesting Trivia Fact #9 ---
Many S.C. wrestlers have gone on to become Wrestling USA All-Americans and many of the State Champs
above left their brothers behind and set out to join this elite list without their brother.
However, three sets of brothers have both made the Wrestling USA All-American list, and they are:
2006 Honorable Mention - Corneilius Selke, Dutch Fork
2003 All American - T.J. Selke, Dutch Fork
1995 Honorable Mention - Chad Stephenson, Summerville
1995 Honorable Mention - Craig Stephenson, Summerville
1984 All American - Pernell Brockington, St. Andrews
1983 Honorable Mention - Doug Brockington, St. Andrews
Interesting Trivia Fact #10 ---
Oh Sisters!!!! The USGWA 2008 national ranking for High School Girls have Hillcrest High School sisters
Brittany and Brieana Delgado highly ranked. With Women's wrestling being an Olympic sport as of 2004,
you may find we have S.C. representation somewhere between 2012-2020.
Hillcrest Senior Brittany Delgado is #1 in the USGWA 2008 National Rankings and
Hillcrest Freshman Brieana Delgado is #3 in the USGWA 2008 National Rankings at 133 lbs.
Congratulations to the Delgado sisters!!!
Hopefully in this SCMAT exclusive article for 2007-2008 the history of SC wrestling is defining itself as
an exciting past with a future awaiting more greatness.
These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed
some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply
to scmat@hotmail.com
thanks,
Mark Buford