How has your wrestling experience benefited you in your life?
"I learned how to overcome the fear of failure and the value of working hard for a goal. Wrestling built more character in me than any other endeavor in my life." - Kevin Drendel ('78)
"I learned how to kick butt!!" - Daniel Teeter ('60)
"Although wrestling is a team sport it taught self reliance and individual effort are the key to team performance. Wrestling helped develop these traits in my personality, along with leadership. These were invaluable to me when I was a faculty member and wrestling coach at Gonzaga University and later in my business career." - Jon Horton ('59)
"I was not much of an athlete - Jerry Linton, if he were ranking the abilities of those on the 1957-58 squad would probably have placed me last - but in terms of life's impact, I probably benefited at least as much as anyone else. You see, I was a chubby kid, but in going out for wrestling, I lost my baby fat and remained relatively trim ever since. And then there was the sense of accomplishment: being able to climb the rope using only my hands; being able to kneel and bend backwards so that the back of my head could touch the floor." - Rodney Ross ('61)
"How to overcome challenges even when the odds are against you. Hard work and dedication produces a self-fulfulling result." - Ben Stenman ('74)
"Mr. Linton and Mr. Carlson teaching disciplines that helped me in life, the army and in business." - Dan Hamingson ('64)
"Never give up no matter how bad things get" - Paul Genske ("78)
"If there is one thing wrestling taught me is to never judge a book by its cover, to give 100% of yourself and to walk away a gentleman." - Dave Byers ('76)
"Mental toughness." - Chris Faber ('82)
"Wrestling helped me understand that I could achieve any goal I set for myself." - Michael Thurber ('94)
"Taught me the values of hard work, self-confidence and self reliance." - Dwight Varner ('95)
What are your lasting memories of wrestling at Batavia?
"The wrestling program began when I was a junior at Batavia High. Coach Linton and Carlson worked very hard to get it off the ground. It was exciting and challenging to part of this new sports program" - Jon Horton ('59)
"Scott Willis instilled in us a dolid foundation in junior high and Mike Rumple and Jim Cliffe built on that foundation to turn the program into one of the best in the state at that time. The two team memories that stand out were beating Oswego and West Aurora for the first time in their gyms!!" - Kevin Drendel ('78)
"My entire wrestling career was under the leadership of Floyd Carlson. He was an outstanding man who believed in youand encouraged each wrestler to do their best. He had a strong influence on my life" - Jack Hinterlong ('66)
"Junior high meets in the old gym and beating Oswego." - Jeff Hall ('78)
"Coaches Kelley, Rumple and Cliffe are three individuals that had a positive influence on my life." - Ben Stenman ('74)
"Great coaches and fellow wrestlers." - Jeff James ('74)
"My fondest memory is our undefeated 1979-80 season." - Mark Douglas ('81)
"The hot box room in the little gym, road trips and Mr Cornwell (George's Dad) buying meals for the whole team." - Dan Hamingson ('64)
"Great coaches and fellow wrestlers." - Jeff James ('74)
"I wasn't very good and most of the team was, but I had some wins that were not expected and I gave my all" - Paul Genske ('78)
"Our undefeated season and first conference championship" - Chris Faber ('82)
"Beating Geneva in their own gym on Senior Night." - Dwight Varner ('95)
"Very loud and loyal fans." - Brian Drendel ('81)
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