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Cowboy wrestlers @ Nationals

Good call.. he was an outstanding Cowboy wrestler as well. Quick bio from UW athletics:

Dick Ballinger
Wrestling, 1958-60

Dick Ballinger is the only wrestler in University of Wyoming history to win an NCAA championship. A native of Cody, Wyoming, Ballinger won the 1960 NCAA Wrestling championship at 167-pounds. During his outstanding career he was named an All-American three times. He placed second in the 1958 NCAA Championships and fourth in the 1959 NCAA Championships. Ballinger guided Wyoming to a sixth place national team finish in 1959 and a Wyoming all-time best third place team finish in the 1960 NCAA Championships.
 
MrTitleist said:
So here's the debate: Will LeBlanc be the best Cowboy wrestler of all time when he graduates?

Reese Andy is also on the list...one of my heroes when I was growing up on the mat. Three time all-american including two trips to the NCAA championship match (lost both).
 
I believe when LeBlanc is done, we'll be mentioning his name with Reese Andy. Reese, by the way, is now an MMA wrestler.
 
MrTitleist said:
I believe when LeBlanc is done, we'll be mentioning his name with Reese Andy. Reese, by the way, is now an MMA wrestler.
The correct term is "fighter."

Though one thing I have noticed with MMA, and grpplers in genral, they tend to take more of a wrestling approach rather than judo or jiu-jitsu. Which, can, but not always, but still can give them a disadvantage.
 
MrTitleist said:
I believe when LeBlanc is done, we'll be mentioning his name with Reese Andy. Reese, by the way, is now an MMA wrestler.

Agreed, he has the opportunity to be a four time all-american. Hopefully we'll see him in the finals within the next two years. It would be even better if he could win. Time will tell. College wrestling can have interesting eb and flows, success one year doesn't necessarily equate into gauranteed success the next. Even Dan Gable didn't lose a match until his last one of his senior year.
 
Aleksander Karelin didn't lose a match professionally until his last in the Olympics. :) But you're right, wrestling is a fickle sport.. this year LeBlanc dealt with a very deep weight class... but you never know how things will balance out in future seasons.
 
Yea...i have to agree, we can't judge LeBlanc's career until it is over. There is no way to tell. Injuries are prevalent in wrestling and can strike anytime. Bad tournaments happen. He has the talent to be a 4-time All-American, but to accomplish that will still take a LOT of work and also some luck.

Take for instance one of the wrestlers in the 184 lb weight class this year. Mike Pucilio from Ohio State is a 2008 NCAA champion and was a 3-time All-American. He wasn't even close to placing this year! You never know...
 

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