Quickly! Who was the first High School wrestling coach? You have several opportunities to meet him Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Morrison High School, 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison, IL. Look for him during the meets against Rock Ridge and Mercer County, beginning at 11:00 a.m.; while touring the wrestling room; at the 4:00 p.m. social afterwards. Maybe you can speak to him when old singlets and uniforms are being sold, or while Sectional and State boards are given to wrestlers whose names appears on them. Perhaps you will meet while signing the banner or buying a team t-shirt.
Fifty years ago, Walt Cress initiated a powerful wrestling program. The public is invited to celebrate with him and generations of participants and coaches.
Jamie Rodriguez submitted the following article.
This weekend the Morrison High School Wrestling Program will be celebrating 50 years of excellence. With full ambition during the 1964-1965 school year, the Morrison Wrestling Program got its start under the supervision of Head Coach Walt Cress.
The members of the inaugural program include Brian Maxfield, John Gronner, Greg Butcher, Jim Ridley, Ronald MacPherson, Greg Zuidema, Roger Gorzney, John Nelson, Mark Nieuwsma, Reg Johnson, Bruce Renwick, Arlyn Deets, Barry Hogue, Dennis Bland, Richard Workman, Fred Koster, John Buis, Jeff Nelson, Bob Renkes, John Benson, and Glen Peterson.
Hundreds of faces have come and gone in the 50-year history of the Mustang Wrestling program. There have been seven Head Coaches:
- Walt Cress (1964-1967)
- Jim McCumber (1967-1969)
- Ed Hauth (1969-1973)
- Ron Roels (1973-1979)
- Dan Drosopoulos (1979-2007)
- Gregg Dolan (2007-2012)
- Tony Wright (2012- Present.)
Join us on Saturday, January 17, 2015, to celebrate this event. The day will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Morrison High School as the team wrestles with Rock Ridge and Mercer County. At the meet, individuals will have the opportunity to purchase vintage wrestling singlets and uniforms. There will be a social gathering and dinner at Cross Creek Golf Course, 15523 Henry Road, Morrison, at 4:00 p.m. following the meet. Dinner is $10/person and includes a BBQ pork sandwich, beans, potato salad. Dinner tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Historical Highlights
1965 Inaugural season
1967 The Mustangs had their first State place winner in Greg Zuidema.
1972 First winning season (9-6-1)
1977 First 10-win season
1982 First time team wins a team title at a tournament (Newman Invitational)
1982 Send record high six wrestlers to Sectionals (Jamie Hill, Denny VanderVinne, Gordy Grams, Tom Zuidema, Edd Weeks, and Daryl Burkholder)
1984 First Conference Title with a perfect 6-0 Conference record and 17-1-1 overall
1984 Send seven to Sectionals and four to the State Tournament (Gordy Grams, Denny VanderVinne, Bart Ottens, and Tom Zuidema)
1985 Dan McDonnell first freshmen to win a District title
1986 The State moves from District tournaments to Regional formatted tournaments.
1986 The Mustangs break the gender barrier, as Laura Morris joins the squad.
1996 Patrick Hamilton becomes Morrison’s first State Champion at 103 lbs.
1997 Bob White becomes first Morrison freshmen to qualify for the State tournament. He became a four-time State qualifier.
2009 Mark McDonnell becomes the youngest State medalist in Morrison history.
2011 Mark McDonnell becomes the youngest wrestler to achieve 100 wins.
2012 Mark McDonnell becomes the first four-time State medalist and two-time State Champion.
2014 Team sets new winning benchmark in dual meets 22-9.
2015 Yet to be recorded!