AHSS Wrestlers were Winners
Wrestling is one of those martial arts that has been around for ages. There are two main styles of wrestling: Greco-Roman and freestyle, both of which are contested in the Olympic Games. Freestyle wrestling first appeared on the Olympic program at the 1904 Games in St. Louis. Freestyle wrestling has its greatest origins in ‘catch-as-catch-can’ wrestling and is the style of wrestling employed at the high school level. The core objective of freestyle wrestling is to either pin both of the opponent’s shoulders to the mat or accumulate more points at the end of a designated timeframe to secure victory.
A match or bout consists of two three-minute periods separated by a 30-second break. Wrestlers can score points by executing holds, locks, throws or other legal takedowns. The points awarded for moves and holds depend on the respective difficulty levels of their execution. Scoring is cumulative, meaning points are added up at the end of the two periods and the highest scorer wins the match.
In freestyle wrestling, athletes are permitted to grab opponents below the waist and use their legs for both attacking and defensive moves. The sport incorporates elements from a variety of other disciplines, including sambo, judo and traditional wrestling.
Almaguin champions 7 of 11 years
Typically, Almaguin had a number of wrestlers in each weight class and the wrestling team would have 30 to 40 members each year. Almaguin’s wrestling team won the Muskoka-Parry Sound (MPS) championship seven out of 11 years from 1970 to 1980: 1970, 1972-1975, 1978 and 1980.
The success of the wrestling team was largely due to the coaching of Bob Bisbee with his focus on conditioning, while Paul Hanson focused on technique, and the natural competitiveness of the individual wrestlers. Paul Hanson was previously an inter-collegiate wrestling champion.
First and second place finishers in each MPS weight class qualified to compete in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) championships. First and second place finishers at GBSSA went on to compete at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships.
Making weight
Some wrestlers recalled staying at their natural weight, while others remembered the constant challenge of ‘making weight.’ This often involved jogging around the school or gym covered in garbage bags to make weight. As well, the wrestlers noted the more weight training they did the more muscle they built, which again created weight challenges.
The Conrad brothers
Paul Hanson started teaching at Almaguin in February 1978 having previously wrestled and played football at the University of Western Ontario. One of Paul’s favourite stories involved the Conrad brothers – Shane and Willie.
Key to winning the MPS championship was having one or two wrestlers in every weight class. In 1979, Almaguin did not have any wrestler in the 191 lbs. weight class. Shane Conrad mentioned that his brother, Willie, was around that weight. So, Willie came out for one practice and then went to the MPS championship. Willie faced one wrestler and pinned him. He may be the only wrestler who was ever undefeated in Almaguin wrestling history.
In 1979, the Almaguin wrestling team also finished second overall in the GBSSA championships.
Gary Hammond also coached wrestling in the early 70s. One of the former wrestlers remembers that Gary would lend him his car to drive some of the other wrestlers to tournaments in places such as Ottawa.
A match or bout consists of two three-minute periods separated by a 30-second break. Wrestlers can score points by executing holds, locks, throws or other legal takedowns. The points awarded for moves and holds depend on the respective difficulty levels of their execution. Scoring is cumulative, meaning points are added up at the end of the two periods and the highest scorer wins the match.
In freestyle wrestling, athletes are permitted to grab opponents below the waist and use their legs for both attacking and defensive moves. The sport incorporates elements from a variety of other disciplines, including sambo, judo and traditional wrestling.
Almaguin champions 7 of 11 years
Typically, Almaguin had a number of wrestlers in each weight class and the wrestling team would have 30 to 40 members each year. Almaguin’s wrestling team won the Muskoka-Parry Sound (MPS) championship seven out of 11 years from 1970 to 1980: 1970, 1972-1975, 1978 and 1980.
The success of the wrestling team was largely due to the coaching of Bob Bisbee with his focus on conditioning, while Paul Hanson focused on technique, and the natural competitiveness of the individual wrestlers. Paul Hanson was previously an inter-collegiate wrestling champion.
First and second place finishers in each MPS weight class qualified to compete in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) championships. First and second place finishers at GBSSA went on to compete at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships.
Making weight
Some wrestlers recalled staying at their natural weight, while others remembered the constant challenge of ‘making weight.’ This often involved jogging around the school or gym covered in garbage bags to make weight. As well, the wrestlers noted the more weight training they did the more muscle they built, which again created weight challenges.
The Conrad brothers
Paul Hanson started teaching at Almaguin in February 1978 having previously wrestled and played football at the University of Western Ontario. One of Paul’s favourite stories involved the Conrad brothers – Shane and Willie.
Key to winning the MPS championship was having one or two wrestlers in every weight class. In 1979, Almaguin did not have any wrestler in the 191 lbs. weight class. Shane Conrad mentioned that his brother, Willie, was around that weight. So, Willie came out for one practice and then went to the MPS championship. Willie faced one wrestler and pinned him. He may be the only wrestler who was ever undefeated in Almaguin wrestling history.
In 1979, the Almaguin wrestling team also finished second overall in the GBSSA championships.
Gary Hammond also coached wrestling in the early 70s. One of the former wrestlers remembers that Gary would lend him his car to drive some of the other wrestlers to tournaments in places such as Ottawa.
Words of advice....
Some of the boys from the 70s wrestling teams were asked about what they would attribute to their success and what advice they would give current Highlander athletes. Here is what we heard:
“Be true to yourself, be who you are, and stay away from drugs/steroids.”
“Wrestling built my confidence and it was great for team camaraderie, resulting in life-long relationships.”
“Be honest with yourself. If you think you can do it go ahead and do it, don’t do things that are going to hurt yourself.”
“Respect your teachers and fellow students.”
“Be true to yourself, be who you are, and stay away from drugs/steroids.”
“Wrestling built my confidence and it was great for team camaraderie, resulting in life-long relationships.”
“Be honest with yourself. If you think you can do it go ahead and do it, don’t do things that are going to hurt yourself.”
“Respect your teachers and fellow students.”
Notable Wrestling Alumni
Given Almaguin’s success in wrestling during the 70s, there was a significant number of athletes who won at various levels of competition: MPS, GBSSA and OFSAA. The following is a selection of athletes who competed all the way through to the OFSAA championships and finished in the top six at OFSAA.
Joel Barton
Joel was a member of the Almaguin wrestling team for five years. He finished first in the unlimited weight class at both the MPS and GBSSA championships throughout 1979 to 1982. Joel finished in the top ten in 1979 and 1980 at the OFSAA championships, before capturing first place in 1981 and subsequently second place at the Canadian Junior Olympics. In 1982, Joel finished fourth at OFSSA after suffering a hyper-extended elbow in the semi-finals.
Joel competed in wrestling in his first year at Lakehead University before deciding to take a break and focus on university. In later years, Joel coached high school wrestling during a job posting in Kapuskasing.
Ellis Barton
Ellis finished first in the 168 lbs. weight class at the MPS championships and second at GBSSA, OFSAA and the Ontario Winter Games in 1971. He was also awarded ‘Best Wrestler of the Year’ title at Almaguin in 1971. Ellis also finished first in the 157 lbs. weight class at MPS and GBSSA in 1972.
Rae Dobbie
Rae was a dominant wrestler in the 70s, winning his weight categories at MPS and GBSSA in each of 1974, 1975 and 1976. Rae also captured a sixth-place finish at OFSAA and a fourth-place finish at the Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay in 1976.
George Gruzuk
George finished first and second in the unlimited weight class at MPS and GBSSA in 1974 and 1975, respectively. George also captured a fourth-place finish at OFSAA in 1975.
Jeff Fielding
Jeff finished first in the 141 and 148 lbs. weight classes at MPS and GBSSA in 1975 and 1976, respectively. Jeff also captured a second-place finish at OFSAA in 1976.
Other notable wrestlers who competed at the OFSAA championships include –
1972 – Everette Armstrong, Ed Bennison
1974 – Steve Lamb, Stan Morrison
1975 – Wayne Dobbie, Steve Schamehorn
1976 – Jerry Alder, Bruce Hamilton
1978 – Jerry Alder, Carey Chapman, Bob Rockwell
1979 – Carey Chapman, Shane Conrad
1980 – Jerry Alder, Steve Anderson, John Barfoot
Joel Barton
Joel was a member of the Almaguin wrestling team for five years. He finished first in the unlimited weight class at both the MPS and GBSSA championships throughout 1979 to 1982. Joel finished in the top ten in 1979 and 1980 at the OFSAA championships, before capturing first place in 1981 and subsequently second place at the Canadian Junior Olympics. In 1982, Joel finished fourth at OFSSA after suffering a hyper-extended elbow in the semi-finals.
Joel competed in wrestling in his first year at Lakehead University before deciding to take a break and focus on university. In later years, Joel coached high school wrestling during a job posting in Kapuskasing.
Ellis Barton
Ellis finished first in the 168 lbs. weight class at the MPS championships and second at GBSSA, OFSAA and the Ontario Winter Games in 1971. He was also awarded ‘Best Wrestler of the Year’ title at Almaguin in 1971. Ellis also finished first in the 157 lbs. weight class at MPS and GBSSA in 1972.
Rae Dobbie
Rae was a dominant wrestler in the 70s, winning his weight categories at MPS and GBSSA in each of 1974, 1975 and 1976. Rae also captured a sixth-place finish at OFSAA and a fourth-place finish at the Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay in 1976.
George Gruzuk
George finished first and second in the unlimited weight class at MPS and GBSSA in 1974 and 1975, respectively. George also captured a fourth-place finish at OFSAA in 1975.
Jeff Fielding
Jeff finished first in the 141 and 148 lbs. weight classes at MPS and GBSSA in 1975 and 1976, respectively. Jeff also captured a second-place finish at OFSAA in 1976.
Other notable wrestlers who competed at the OFSAA championships include –
1972 – Everette Armstrong, Ed Bennison
1974 – Steve Lamb, Stan Morrison
1975 – Wayne Dobbie, Steve Schamehorn
1976 – Jerry Alder, Bruce Hamilton
1978 – Jerry Alder, Carey Chapman, Bob Rockwell
1979 – Carey Chapman, Shane Conrad
1980 – Jerry Alder, Steve Anderson, John Barfoot
1970-71
Front from left: Bruce Clark, Wayne Bushey, Ron Hamilton, Bob Schamehorn, Rae Dobbie, Don Boucher, Don Clark, Everette Armstrong, Joey Jenkins. Middle from left: Gary Hammond (Coach), Dan Palmer (Manager), Glen McFadden, Rod Boyes (Trainer), Steve Marshall (Trainer). Back from left: Wayne Lamb, Mike Ehl, Terry Hogan, Paul Irwin, Velven Smith, Olg Vishnevsky, Dave Bishop. Absent: Stan Morrison, Len Morrison.
Ed Bennison captured the MPS 141-lb title and placed fifth in the Georgian Bay Finals. Winner of the AHSS Best First Year Wrestler Trophy
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Ellis Barton captured the MPS 168-lb title and placed second in the Georgian Bay Finals and seventh overall in the All-Ontario Finals. He also competed in the Ontario Winter Games (Free style). Winner of the AHSS Best Wrestler Trophy
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Wayne Bushey won the Fastest Pin trophy with a pin in 18 seconds. He also won the MPS 136-lb title and placed fourth in the Georgian Bay Secondary School Finals.
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MPS Individual Champions: Front from left: Gary Hammond (Coach), Wayne Bushey, Stewart Dobbs (unlimited, Most Improved Wrestler), Ellis Barton
1971-72
Front from left: Phil Thompson, Bill Basso, Lonnie Jenkins, Jack Empey, Cletus Gauthier, Rae Dobbie, Bob Schamehorn, Ron Hamilton, Stan Morrison, Everette Armstrong, Bill Bird, Tom Piper, Chuck Thompson. Back from left: Bob Bisbee (Coach), Carl Lorusso, Andre McConnachie, Ed Bennison, Rene Schneider, Paul Pitkanen, Ellis Barton, Peter Young, Peter Gauthier, Velven Smith, Oleg Vishnevsky, Mike Ehl, Steve Marshall (Manager). Absent: Mike Beatty.
Individual Champions: Three wrestlers advanced to the All-Ontario competitions: from left: Everette Armstrong, second in GBSSA Championships in 136-lb weight class; Ellis Barton, first in 157-weight class; Ed Bennison, first in 141-lb weight class.
1972-73
MPS Champions: Front from left: Brian Wice, Ron Mathias, Calvin Lamb, Steven Lamb, Peter Young, Bob Whitehead, Terry Russell, Bill Basso, Cletus Gauthier. Back from left: Phil Wice, Chuck Thompson, Peter Gauthier, Everette Armstrong, Stan Morrison, Mike Coote, Mike Beatty, Velven Smith, Oleg Vishnevsky, Steven Schamehorn, Rae Dobbie, Steve Marshall (Manager), Bob Bisbee (Coach). Absent: Russ Thompson, Dave Lamb, Brian Wills, Jim Mannella.
MPS Individual Champions: From left: Phil Wice, 90-lb; Cletus Gauthier, 106-lb; Rae Dobbie, 123-lb; Peter Gauthier, 194-lb; Stan Morrison, 141-lb; Mike Beatty, 168-lb. MVP: Rae Dobbie
1974-75
MPS Champions: Front from left: Ed Rich, Wayne Dobbie, Terry Mannella, Rob Lake, Jim Storie, Terry Russell, Brian Rutledge, Jamie Coote, Terry Heittola. Back from left: Bob Bisbee (Coach), Randy Karn, Ron Mathias, Stan Whitehead, Howard Smith, Cletus Gauthier, Stan Morrison, Steve Lamb, Barry Hubbard, Oleg Vishnevsky, Kelly Morrison, Rae Dobbie, Steve Schamehorn, Brian Lamb, Velven Smith. Absent: George Gruzuk.
Individual Champions From left: George Gruzuk, Steve Lamb, Stan Morrison, Rae Dobbie, Randy Karn
1975-76
MPS Champions Front row from left: Wayne Dobbie, Dale Wylie, Jerry Scheyk, Ron Mathias, Kevin Bolton, Terry Manella, Vern Dauney, Blaine Corless. Back from left: Randy Karn, Cletus Gauthier, Dave Alder, Brian Lamb, Jeff Fielding (Wrestler of the Year), Barry Hubbard, Oleg Visnevsky, Kelly Morrison, Steve Schamehorn, Rae Dobbie, Al Stringer, Bob Bisbee (Coach)
MPS Individual Champions: George Gruzuk, unlimited; Oleg Vishnevsky, 168-lb) Rae Dobbie, 148-lb; Randy Karl, 106-lb Absent: Jeff Fielding, 141-lb
1977-78
MPS Champions: Front from left: Terry Manella, Jerry White, Brian May, Ward Whitehead, Gord Grasser, John Askin, Jim Fawcett, Paul Rand, Mike Kerr, Dennis Karn, Barry Brooks, Carey Chapman. Middle from left: Bruce Hamilton, Jerry Alder, Jeff Fielding, Peter Rauch, Terry McCabe, Ken Cropper, John O'Hallarn, Mitchell Moore, Barry Hubbard, Kevin Bolton, Rae Dobbie, Terry Armstrong. Back from left: Bob Rockwell, Tom Coombs, Peter Labreque, Dave Sinclair, Bruce Bolton, Cletus Gauthier, Gerry Scheyk, Dan Jenkins
1978-79
Front row from left: Steve Anderson, Jerry White, John Barfoot, Eric Clelland, Mike Russell, Dan Moore, Mark Downey, Jerry Alder, Kevin Simmons. Middle from left: Ken Squirrel (Coach), Kevin Coombs, Mark Rauch, Paul Neal, John Askin, Shane Conrad, Bob Rockwell, Ian Westerberg, Peter Rauch, Clayton Coughlin. Back from left: Barry Brooks, Bob Dermott, Kevin Bolton, Brian May, Ron Mechefske, Joel Barton, Carey Chapman, Bob Bisbee (Coach)
MPS Individual Champions From left: Kevin Simmons, Shane Conrad, Kevin Bolton, Jerry Alder
All-Ontario Representatives From left: Bob Rockwell, Carey Chapman, Jerry Alder
1979-80
MPS Champions Front from left: Steve Anderson, Jim Hawthorne, Mark Downey, Tevor Dobbs, Eric Clelland, Bill Reichstein, Vern Uetz. Back from left: Ken Squirrel (Coach), Dan Moore, Shane Conrad, Ray Jenkins, Joel Barton, Carey Chapman, Peter Rauch, Ian Westerburg, John Barfoot, Mr. Hanson (Coach). Absent: Kevin Coombs, Willie Hawthorne, Brian May, Dubb Moore, Kim Lambkins, Mike Russell, Gerry White
Individual MPS Champions
1980-81
Front from left: Eric Clelland, Ralph Harwood, Scott Johnstone, Trevor Dobbs, Rolly Smith, Steve Anderson, Steve Wauthier, Myron Hamilton, John Barfoot, Kevin Coombs. Back from left: Dan Moore, Frank May, Paul Aultman, Brian May, Joel Barton, Gerry White, Mike Chapman, Duff Moore, Peter Anderson, Reg Jenkins, P. Hanson (Coach). Absent: Billy Reichstein, Willie Hawthorne, Gerry Alder, Ken Squirrel (Coach)
MPS Individual Champions: Mr. Hanson (Coach), Joel Barton, Steve Anderson, John Barfoot. Absent: Jerry Alder