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Nice story from the Argus:
http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Th...article1.shtml
SDSU wrestling meet a tribute to Williamson
Chris Solari
csolari@argusleader.com
published: 11/4/2004
Ex-coach developed program
He's called the Father of Wrestling in South Dakota for a reason.
Before Warren Williamson, high schools didn't offer the sport. Before Williamson, South Dakota State wrestlers were mediocre. Before Williamson, there were few expectations for the then seven-year-old program.
Williamson, a former Jackrabbit football star and 1951 alum, took over the wrestlers in 1956 and fostered the program to prominence. That job was secondary to his freshman football duties at first, but it cemented the Hurley native's legacy throughout the state as a caring coach and administrator.
"He picked up the wrestling program that
wasn't much of a program and developed it into a great program," lauded former SDSU athletic director Harry Forsyth. "He is a heck of a fighter, and he instilled that in his kids."
The Jacks will hold their Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open on Saturday at Frost Arena. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. Williamson, 77, has been ill and likely won't attend the event.
Yet there's no question his presence will be felt in every whistle and every reversal on every mat.
"He had very high expectations," said Jason Liles, in his 12th year as SDSU's coach. "It's not just wrestling. He affected all kinds of students in all time periods here."
During his tenure as coach, from 1956 to 1973, wrestling around the state and country changed in large part to Williamson's actions and advocacy. He helped create the first North Central Conference Tournament in 1961, then again teamed with Bill Koll from the State College of Iowa (now Northern Iowa) to sponsor the first NCAA College Division Wrestling Tournament. That was the precursor to the Division II tourney.
Jackrabbit wrestlers also enjoyed tremendous success under Williamson, both individually and collectively. SDSU had 24 All-Americans and two national champions in that time to go with three NCC team crowns.
From his post in Brookings, Williamson sent his pupils out to help foster wrestling in communities around the state. The first state high school tournament was held in 1958, with the South Dakota High School Activities Association adding the sport to its championships in 1960.
Williamson ended his coaching career with the 1973 NCC title, then moved on to the directorship of SDSU's intramural and recreational sports program until he retired in 1987. . . .
Wrestling preview
Liles' squad is young - only seven of the 23 wrestlers on the roster are juniors or seniors. They got shutout by SDSU alumni last weekend.
"We were very close in a couple matches," Liles said, "but I think we have to stop allowing alumni wrestlers to referee."
Still, the coach thinks this year to be a building block for two redshirt sophomores, Nate Althoff and Andy Everson.
Althoff, from Watertown, will compete at 165 pounds, with Mitchell native Everson expected to bounce between 149 and 157. Liles has high expectations for the pair, saying that they could eventually work their way toward the Division I Championships when the wrestlers are eligible for the postseason in the 2006-07 season.
Others expected to see significant mat time for the Jacks are: redshirt freshman Marcus Waters (125), sophomore Chris Werth (133), junior Chad Herrboldt (141 or 149), redshirt freshman Cole Altermatt (149), sophomore Travis Gottschalk (174), sophomore Levi Krehmeyer (184), junior Cody Nehl (197) and freshman Elliot Osterhoudt (heavyweight). . . .
Go State! ;D
http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Th...article1.shtml
SDSU wrestling meet a tribute to Williamson
Chris Solari
csolari@argusleader.com
published: 11/4/2004
Ex-coach developed program
He's called the Father of Wrestling in South Dakota for a reason.
Before Warren Williamson, high schools didn't offer the sport. Before Williamson, South Dakota State wrestlers were mediocre. Before Williamson, there were few expectations for the then seven-year-old program.
Williamson, a former Jackrabbit football star and 1951 alum, took over the wrestlers in 1956 and fostered the program to prominence. That job was secondary to his freshman football duties at first, but it cemented the Hurley native's legacy throughout the state as a caring coach and administrator.
"He picked up the wrestling program that
wasn't much of a program and developed it into a great program," lauded former SDSU athletic director Harry Forsyth. "He is a heck of a fighter, and he instilled that in his kids."
The Jacks will hold their Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open on Saturday at Frost Arena. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. Williamson, 77, has been ill and likely won't attend the event.
Yet there's no question his presence will be felt in every whistle and every reversal on every mat.
"He had very high expectations," said Jason Liles, in his 12th year as SDSU's coach. "It's not just wrestling. He affected all kinds of students in all time periods here."
During his tenure as coach, from 1956 to 1973, wrestling around the state and country changed in large part to Williamson's actions and advocacy. He helped create the first North Central Conference Tournament in 1961, then again teamed with Bill Koll from the State College of Iowa (now Northern Iowa) to sponsor the first NCAA College Division Wrestling Tournament. That was the precursor to the Division II tourney.
Jackrabbit wrestlers also enjoyed tremendous success under Williamson, both individually and collectively. SDSU had 24 All-Americans and two national champions in that time to go with three NCC team crowns.
From his post in Brookings, Williamson sent his pupils out to help foster wrestling in communities around the state. The first state high school tournament was held in 1958, with the South Dakota High School Activities Association adding the sport to its championships in 1960.
Williamson ended his coaching career with the 1973 NCC title, then moved on to the directorship of SDSU's intramural and recreational sports program until he retired in 1987. . . .
Wrestling preview
Liles' squad is young - only seven of the 23 wrestlers on the roster are juniors or seniors. They got shutout by SDSU alumni last weekend.
"We were very close in a couple matches," Liles said, "but I think we have to stop allowing alumni wrestlers to referee."
Still, the coach thinks this year to be a building block for two redshirt sophomores, Nate Althoff and Andy Everson.
Althoff, from Watertown, will compete at 165 pounds, with Mitchell native Everson expected to bounce between 149 and 157. Liles has high expectations for the pair, saying that they could eventually work their way toward the Division I Championships when the wrestlers are eligible for the postseason in the 2006-07 season.
Others expected to see significant mat time for the Jacks are: redshirt freshman Marcus Waters (125), sophomore Chris Werth (133), junior Chad Herrboldt (141 or 149), redshirt freshman Cole Altermatt (149), sophomore Travis Gottschalk (174), sophomore Levi Krehmeyer (184), junior Cody Nehl (197) and freshman Elliot Osterhoudt (heavyweight). . . .
Go State! ;D
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