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by Joelle Doye
If you're a Mineral Point wrestling fan, numbers are your friend.
50 years of unprecedented tradition, 570 wrestling participants from 1962-2012, 160 conference championships, 244 regional champions, 124 sectional champions, 49 state champions, 11 team state championships.
A large celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Mineral Point wrestling was held Saturday, July 7 at the fairgrounds where hundreds of teammates, coaches, cheerleaders, fans, and friends gathered to laugh, share stories, and pay tribute to everyone's unique contribution that has helped to mold this program into, arguably, the finest in the state.
Tim Terrill began the banquet by speaking a bit about some points of pride over the years for the program. The roots of Mineral Point wrestling date back to December of 1962 when Jerry Olson approached the school board with the request to begin a wrestling program. The board approved the request, along with $1,000, to purchase a 6x8 foot horse hair wrestling mat, and with that, Mineral Point wrestling was off and running.
In addition to the mat changes over the years, other things have changed as well. The uniforms are no longer the three piece cotton complete with tights and a top that buttoned in the crotch and shorts with Converse tennis shoes and knee pads. Weight loss is no longer encouraged through complete dehydration with rubber suits and sucking ice cubes.
But what hasn't changed are excellent coaches. It is unheard of that a program of this level has only had two head coaches in 49 years. Also, Mineral Point wrestling has also featured strong family involvement, the ability to have excellent work out partners, and tremendous community support.
Great cheerleaders have been there since near the beginning as well, starting in 1965. Mary Kneeland was a basketball cheerleader when a few of the wrestlers asked if she would come and cheer at some of their matches. None of the other schools had cheerleaders, so when the Pointers weren't wrestling, she would cheer for other wrestlers as well. Cindy Chappell eventually joined Kneeland and became the second Mineral Point wrestling cheerleader.
Neva Kendall received a standing ovation from the crowd for all of her statistic and fact keeping throughout the years. Terrill joked that Kendall might be receiving less phone calls from people needing a statistic now that the 50th anniversary wrestling books are available for purchase.
Terrill read a letter from Jerry Olson, who was able to attend the 4th of July parade and ride on the float, but was unable to attend the weekend celebration. "When I moved to Mineral Point years ago to teach and coach, my family and I were made to feel very welcome. I thought this was where I would stay for a long time...I have never forgotten those feelings. I have enjoyed my total career in education, but no position or responsibility ever surpassed my short stay at Mineral Point High School."
In speaking of that first season, Olson added, "We may not have had the best equipment and were too late to have a conference schedule, but we did have athletes with great will and drive. Thanks to those original young men (now not so young). They set the course with that first short pickup schedule for a program now recognized as one of the best in the State of Wisconsin. I am happy to say the program has developed as I had envisioned many years ago."
Mineral Point High School principal Mitch Wainwright spoke briefly. "It's fitting to call this an anniversary," he said. "When I think of an anniversary, I think of family. And that's what Mineral Point wrestling is--some people haven't seen each other in a long time, but everyone is bonded together through this program."
Al Bauman, who served as head coach from 1963-1987, compiled a record of 280 wins and 28 losses, 20 conference championships, 19 regional championships, 12 sectional championships, 6 state team championships, and 24 individual state champions.
Bauman, who admitted he never prepares speeches, spoke off the cuff, but from the heart. "You people don't know how much you mean to me," he said emotional from the start. "People told me not to come to Mineral Point, and that made me want to come even more."
Bauman said he went home and told his wife about his first team, "I can win with these guys." He joked that, because he taught junior high, he had the luxury of seeing every boy in his classes and he was able to brainwash them all into going out for wrestling.
"I never had a burning desire to coach," said Bauman. "I wanted to be a rock star." But after he had his first football and wrestling duties assigned to him, he quickly discovered that, even though he didn't have a burning desire to win, he had a hatred to lose.
"The reason this program has survived continually at such a high level is because it has never been focused on an individual," said Bauman. "I made sure of that--I made sure it was never Al Bauman wrestling. It was Mineral Point wrestling."
"There may have been times when I disappointed you, but none of you ever disappointed me," said Bauman, in a moving statement that many in attendance will remember for a long time.
Scott Schmitz, who is known as a humble man of few words in situations like this, spoke next. Since taking over in 1987, Schmitz has compiled a record of 382 wins and 99 losses, 8 conference championships, 16 regional championships, 11 sectional championships, 5 state team championships, and 25 individual state champions.
Schmitz said he will never forget being at the conference coaches meeting at the start of his first school year. He was sitting next to a man whom he didn't know, and who didn't know him. The man leaned over to Schmitz and said, "I wonder who the idiot is they got to take Bauman's place." Schmitz didn't say anything to the man, but the man quickly realized when Schmitz got up to be introduced as the new Pointer wrestling coach. Schmitz said the mystery man was Doug McArthur from Darlington, and of course since then, the two have become friends and he still has to remind McArthur of that moment from time to time.
Schmitz echoed all of Terrill's and Bauman's statements about who should deserve the real credit to keeping the program successful. "I came here and took a part time teaching job that was only supposed to last a couple years, but I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to coach. I was never in it for the money...I was in it for the kids," said Schmitz.
Shane Sparks of Badger State Wrestling was the guest speaker, and had nothing but the highest praise for the Pointer program. "If people are not from here, they have no idea how special this place really is," he said. "What makes it great is its consistency, excellence, and impact it has. There are lots of teams in the state, but very few programs."
Terrill concluded the banquet by paraphrasing the words of singer John Mellencamp, "We're proud to be born in a small town."
Assistant varsity coaches were thanked including: Fred Getman, Bill Rice, Rich Bingham, Donn Hanson, Todd Schmitz, Eric Chia, Jason Walrack, Floyd Spoor, Terry Hemann, Kevin Kinch, Gary Sullivan, T.J. Burke, Mike Potterton, Tim Swenson. Junior high coaches: Bob Severson, Dick Smith, Ted Terrill, Al Pitas, Paul Yager, Dan Schmitz, Mark Wasley, Ted Evans, Ted Pittz, Bryan Schmitz, George Fiedler, Mike Potterton, Troy Pittz, Todd Schmitz, Denny Nafzger, Kolbi McReynolds, Nate Chambers.
An event of this magnitude couldn't have been held without a great planning committee: Deb Riley, Scott Schmitz, Ted Pittz, Matthew Gevelinger, Gary Sullivan, Paul Yager, George Fiedler, Bryan Schmitz, Joe Galle, and Tim Terrill.
Some records at Mineral Point include: First state qualifier: Jim Grimm 1964; First state champion: Mike Medchill 1965; Wisconsin's first NCAA champion: Rich Lawinger 1974; First team state champions: 1980; Most pins: Zach Chambers 97; Most wins in a single season: Nate Chambers 50; Most wins in a career: Dylan Schroeder 175; Most career wins in a single class system: Mark Schmitz 120; Longest winning streak: Gary Sullivan 88; First father/son state champion: Ted and Tucker Pittz.
Members of the first Mineral Point wrestling team of 1962-63 included: Coach Jerry Olson, Harley Schmit, Dan Reger, Denny McKernan, Russ Williams, Gary Nesheim, Denny Hanson, Denny Palzkill, Ron Parkos, Charles Ellis, Gary Griffiths, Mick Kneeland, Jim Meylor, Barry Weinbrenner, Larry Springer, Denny Keyes, Bill Finley, Bill Buckingham, Bob Heideman, and Rich Vogel.
1963-64: State: 95-Jim Grimm.
1964-65: State (8th place): Champion: 95-Mike Medchill. 3rd place: 112-Jim Grimm.
1965-66:State (2nd place). Champion: 103-Mike Medchill. Runner-up: 112-Jim Grimm. 5th place: 180-Denny Keyes.
1966-67: State (9th place). Runner-up: 120-Jim Grimm.
1967-68: State (5th place). Champion: 127-Steve Heaton. 3rd place: 133-Rich Lawinger.
1968-69: State (32nd place). 5th place: 95-Donn Hanson. 6th place: 112-Joe Gevelinger.
1969-70: State (6th place). Champion: 145-Rich Lawinger. 4th place: 175-Claire Benson.
1970-71: State (19th place). 3rd place: 105-Don Hanson.
1971-72: State (12th place). Champion: 98-Bob May.
1972-73: State (9th place). Champion: 155-Steve Lawinger.
1973-74: State (3rd place). Champion: 132-Paul Lawinger. 4th place: Dan Schmitz.
1974-75: State (12th place). Runner-up: 132-Nick Lawinger.
1975-76: State (2nd place). Runner-up: 98-Dan May. 3rd place: 138-Loren Schaaf, Hwt-Doug Schmit. 6th place: 126-Mike Dolphin.
1976-77: State (3rd place). Runner-up: 126-Mike Dolphin. 3rd place: 138-Loren Schaaf. 5th place: 119-Tim Doney. 6th place: 112-Mark Schmitz.
1977-78: State (13th place). Champion: 132-Mark Schmitz.
1978-79: State (15th place). 3rd place: 132-Mark Schmitz.
1979-80: State (1st place). Overall champion: 132-Scott Schmitz. Champions: 126-Scott Graber, 132-Scott Schmitz. Runner-up: 119-George Fiedler, 138-Mike Murphy. 4th place: 145-Wayne Schmitz, 167-Dave Schickel.
1980-81: State (1st place): Champions: 132-Scott Schmitz, 138-Mike Murphy, 155-Ted Pittz, 167-Dave Schickel.
1981-82: State (1st place). Champions: 138-Mike Murphy, 167-Dave Schickel. Runner-up: 119-Mike Schmitz, 132-Mike Yager. 3rd place: 105-Mark Loken.
1982-83: State (1st place). Champions: 138-Mike Yager, 167-Scott McKernan. Runner-up: 98-Tony Schaaf, 155-Brian Olson. 3rd place: 132-Todd Schaaf. 4th place: 112-Todd Schmitz.
1983-84: State (3rd place). Champions: 112-Tony Schaaf, 138-Todd Schaaf. Runner-up: 167-Scott McKernon. 3rd place: 145-Timm Goninen. 5th place: 105-Todd Goninen.
1984-85: State (1st place). Champions: 105-Shawn McCarville, 167-Kraig Wasley. Runner-up: 119-Tony Schaaf, 145-Timm Goninen. 3rd place: 98-Bobbyjon Bauman, 132-Todd Schmitz.
1985-86: State (1st place). Champion: 132-Todd Schmitz. Runner-up: 105-Bobbyjon Bauman, 126-Paul Yager. 4th place: 98-Doug Ferrell. 5th place: 145-Greg Yager. 6th place: 138-Joe Dolphin.
1986-87: State (4th place). Champion: 145-Greg Yager. Runner-up: 138-Tim Berndt. 3rd place: 185-Rob Kinch. 6th place: 98-Tim Berndt.
1987-88: State: Champion: 132-Mike Weber.
1988-89: State (17th place). 4th place: 125-Tom Berndt. 6th place: 119-Troy Parkos, 135-Jim Dolphin.
1989-90: State (11th place). Runner-up: 112-Jason Walrack. 4th place: 171-Donald Wedig.
1990-91: State (23rd place). 3rd place: 112-Jason Walrack.
1991-92: State (4th place). 3rd place: 130-Kevin Kinch.
1993-94: State. Champion: 160-Kevin Kinch. Runner-up: 189-Joe Terrill.
1994-95: State: Runner-up: 189-Joe Terrill. 3rd place: 171-Kevin Kinch. 6th place: 135-Delzie Leigh.
Team state qualifier.
1995-96: State: Champion: 171-Clint Hurda. Runner-up: 112-Jason Coyier, 189-Joe Terrill. 5th place: 140-Delzie Leigh.
1996-97: State: Champion: 103-Jason Mester. 3rd place: 112-Jason Coyier. 4th place: 125-Gary Sullivan.
1997-98: State: Champions: 112-Jason Mester, 135-Gary Sullivan. 5th place: 171-Cyril Gaudemer.
1998-99: State: Champions: 125-Jason Mester, 130-Jake Hanson, 140-Gary Sullivan. 4th place: Hwt-Joel Miller.
Team state qualifier.
1999-00: State: 3rd place: 119-Zach Chambers. 5th place: Hwt-Joel Miller. 6th place: 103-Kolbi McReynolds.
2000-01: State: Champion: 103-Kolbi McReynolds. Runner-up: 140-Josh Mester. 5th place: 125-Zach Chambers. 6th place: 145-D.J. Dolphin.
2001-02: State: Champions: 130-Zach Chambers, 140-Josh Mester. Runner-up: 135-Nate Chambers. 4th place: 119-Justin Sokol. 6th place: 112-Cory Sokol.
Won team state title.
2002-03: State: Champions: 112-Cory Sokol, 130-Nate Chambers. 3rd place: 125-Justin Sokol. 4th place: Hwt-Brandon Wilson. 5th place: 140-Brett Lawinger. 6th place: 103-Eli Rolli, 145-T.J. Burke, 189-Luke Fitzsimmons.
Won team state title.
2003-04: State: Runner-up: 125-Curtis Fiedler, 130-Nate Chambers, 160-Matt Gevelinger. 4th place: 145-T.J. Burke, 215-Tyler Terrill. 6th place: 189-Luke Fitzsimmons.
2004-05: State: Champions: 130-Curtis Fiedler, 171-Matt Gevelinger. 3rd place: 125-Greg Burke, 135-Cory Sokol, 160-T.J. Burke. 5th place: 152-Brandon Schaaf.
2005-06: State: Champions: 130-Curtis Fiedler, 140-Greg Burke. 5th place: 152-Danny Sullivan.
2006-07:State: Champions: 145-Greg Burke, 152-Danny Sullivan. Runner-up: 112-Dylan Schroeder.
Won co-team state title.
2007-08: State: 3rd place: 119-Dylan Schroeder. 5th place: 285-Robbie Goldthorpe.
Won team state title.
2008-09: State: Champion: 152-Cord Yager. Runner-up: 119-Dylan Schroeder, 160-Alex Johnson. 4th place: 140-Bo Doney. 5th place: 130-Trevor Yager, 135-Tucker Pittz, 171-Jordan Tibbits.
Won team state title.
2009-10: State: Champions: 125-Dylan Schroeder, 140-Tucker Pittz. Runner-up: 171-Brady Tibbits.
Team state runner-up.
2010-11: State: Champion: 152-Tucker Pittz. 4th place: 112-Deven Walrack.
Team state runner-up.
2011-12: State: Champion: 113-Deven Walrack. Runner-up: 182-Robby Chubb. 5th place: 138-Cody Bertram, 152-Todd Tibbits.