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Dick Ballinger Dies

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:33 am
by MrTitleist
Dick Ballinger, Wyoming's only NCAA wrestling champion died last week in Colorado. Here is Diane Dodson's quick write-up on him:

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 1, 2017) – Dick Ballinger, the only wrestler in University of Wyoming history to win an NCAA Championship, passed away on Jan. 26, 2017, in Loveland, Colo. Ballinger, 79, was a three-time wrestling All-American at UW. Wrestling at 167 pounds, he placed second in the 1958 NCAA Championships and fourth in the 1959 Championships before defeating Ronnie Clinton of Oklahoma State to claim the title in 1960. A native of Cody, Wyo., Ballinger guided Wyoming to a sixth place national team finish in 1959, and a Wyoming all-time best third place team finish at the 1960 Championships. A three-time Skyline Conference Champion, he led Wyoming to three straight conference championships while never losing a regular season match as a Cowboy. He was also honored as the 1960 Admiral Land Award winner as Wyoming’s top student-athlete. In 1999, he was named one of “The Fifty Greatest Sports Figures from Wyoming” by Sports Illustrated. He was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame with the inaugural class of 1993. He and his wife, Sharon, made their home in Sterling, Colo. No funeral service will be held.

Re: Dick Ballinger Dies

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 2:38 pm
by Adv8RU12
As a sophomore at Cody,1954, Ballinger was 3rd in the state meet at 120 lbs.

Re: Dick Ballinger Dies

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:36 pm
by American Horse
Obviously one of the greatest WY has had in ANY sport. Condolences to the family.