The Observation Deck

I am writing an LO column on the recent IOC decision to drop wrestling from the Olympics. I am focusing on the impact of wrestling on Lakewood over the past century.

If am seeking input from the following:

*Anyone who wrestled in HS or college. How did the sport contribute to your maturation?
*Anyone who attended or has articles/photos about the OHSAA State Championships that were held at LHS annually from 1955 through 1958.
*Anyone who has info on the 1948 Lakewood High State Championship team.

If you know anyone who would be willing to contribute, please send me a private message.

Thanks!

Off subject, but wrestlers and wrestling have had a very positive impact on MMA. Wrestlers are some of the best athletes in the world. And, wrestling has been around for over 7,000 years...

Mike--- I was one of the three new wrestlers on the first Lakewood Y team in 1962. I was in 7th grade at Harding at the time. Our first coach was Art Pappas who almost made the 1960 USA Olympic team and was considering going for the !964 team. Art was followed by Slavco Pizir who was a Greco Roman champion from Yugoslovia. He and his wife had a shoe repair shop on Madison at Emwood. His wife still runs that shop. I went on to wrestle at Harding under coach Frank Nixon and then at LHS with coach Glenn Salzbrenner.
Even though I wasn't particularly good I do think wrestlers are known for really getting into their own minds more than athletes in other sports. It is perhaps the most individualistic sport and also the most elemental.
Senior year I had the great experience of wrestling at Maple Heights which was the St. Ed's of wrestling at the time. Their gym was packed with several thousand fans. They didn't just want you beat---they wanted you dead! Carted out on a stretcher! I lasted till the 3rd period in that match and ultimately lost to my opponent, Bruce Jankowski, who came in 4th in the State that year.(wrestlers have good memories, too)
I obviously have a biased opinion but I think wrestling is the ultimate sport combing elements of strength, speed, endurance and smarts.
It's too bad it's being dropped from the Olympics.
Stan Austin

Dang Stan... I never would have guest that you were that old...