55^th. JC Gorman Wrestling Tournament January 6 & 7, 2017

Mansfield Senior High School

Friday wrestling starts at 4:00 PM

Preliminary Rounds 1 & 2

Quarter-Finals

Consolation Round 1

Saturday wrestling starts at 10:00 AM

Consolation Matches

Championship Semi-Finals

Finals Saturday night:

Recognition Program at 5:00 PM

Parade of Champions at 5:20 PM

Wrestling starts 5:30 PM

Ticket prices:

Per session – adults $7.00, students $6.00

All session – adults $18.00, students $15.00

 1966 JC Gorman Team Champions:  Madison High School

Rusty Lee

Ed Price

Greg Gilmore

Ron Wolff

Tim Gilmore

Mark Thomas

Tom Wolff

Ken Emerson

Jim Dutka

Don Eyerly

Bruce Young

Bob Friend

Head Coach – Tom Ellis

Special Recognition:

Dick Windbigler, AD at Mansfield Senior

Bruce Weirich, Director JC Gorman

Jones Chips, longtime sponsor

Gary Weisenstein, Ashland Wrestling Coach

1966 JC Gorman Weight Class Champions

103 - Rusty Lee, Madison High School

112 - Ed Price, Madison High School

120 - Bob Bigelow, Mansfield Senior

127 - Greg Gilmore, Madison High School

133 - Jim Payne, Crestline High School

138 - Bob Spittle, Bowling Green High School

145 - Don Stewart, Clear Fork High School

154 - Ron Wolff, Madison High School

165 - Charles Cochran, Crestline High School

175 - Bill Schmidt, Ontario High School

HWT – Clendon Parr Jr, Mansfield Senior

MVP - Clendon Parr Jr, Mansfield Senior

Robert “Bob” Bigelow

Bob placed 2^nd in the 1965 JC Gorman, 1^st in 1966 and 2^nd in 1967.  He states “In wrestling and in life, uncontrollable variables such as injuries, accidents, educational stresses, and psychological crises keep us from performing at our best.  The problem may also be the opponent is better!”  In high school Bob was coached at Mansfield Senior High by Coach William Flanagan.  He went on to wrestle at Ashland University for Coach Carl “Chris” Ford.  He has received a B.A. at Ashland University in 1971 and an M.S.Ed. at Wright State University in 1980.   Bob taught and coached from 1974 to 1998 at Benjamin Logan Schools and at Ontario from 1972-1973.  50 years ago James Carville “J.C.” Gorman had Bigelow accompany him to the final day of the 1966 World Wrestling Championships in Toledo. While cruising along I-90 at 70 mph, Mr. Gorman told the 17 year old Bigelow to take the wheel so Mr. Gorman could catch a nap in the back seat of the Ford Maverick.   Bigelow also learned that he loved filet mignon, courtesy of Mr. Gorman.  His sister, Linda, served as a wrestling statistician for Coach Flanagan.  Bob currently resides on 12 acres in northern Logan County with his wife Lilian Joanne (Urschitz) Bigelow and mother Dollie Bigelow.  He is working part time at Honda Manufacturing of Marysville.  They have two daughters. Noel of Alexandria VA and Denise of Pittsburgh PA. 

Charles Cochran

While Cochran was in the 10^th grade, Crestline High School began its wrestling program (1963-64).  Coach Voggenthaler had just graduated from Bowling Green and this was his first teaching / coaching job so it was all new to everyone.  Crestline began its program with only 14 wrestlers, no wrestling mats, no wrestling room, no uniforms and no weight room.  They used twenty 4x8 tumbling mats for a wrestling mat and had 8 spotters to hold the mats from sliding in a classroom they had to empty from student and teacher desks each night to use.  Coach Voggenthaler would turn the thermostat up to 90 degrees and they called the wrestling room “Wrestling 101.”  Their first season they wrestled against all tripe A schools, including Mansfield Senior High, Madison, Mansfield Malabar, Ashland, Ontario, and Clearfork. Charles wrestled at the 150-154 weight class, wrestling against his coach who weighted 145 as practice.  He finished his first season with a 17-4 record.  In 1964 Cochran attended the Gorman finals.  From that moment on his goal was to win at the JC Gorman.  In 1965 he finished 2^nd and in 1966 took first place.  After graduation Charles went to work at PPG in Crestline and became an electrician where he worked a swing shift.  He continued to assist in coaching wrestling when he could.

Jim Dutka

Jim has been a member of Human Resources in the Hot Metals Industry for over 30 years.  Currently working in Human Resources for a Montreal based International Company with a facility in Vermont.  He enjoys any off time as a gentleman farmer in the foothills of Arrowhead Mountain, Vermont with his bride of 44 years, Melinda Voyik Dutka.  He is an army veteran of the 25^th infantry who served in Vietnam in 1970.  Dutka is a proud of his country, the Buckeyes, and the opportunity to be part of the Ram’s wrestling team under the guidance of Coach Tom Ellis.  Jim is especially proud to have been part of the great legacy of the J C Gorman Wrestling Tournament.

Donald Eyerly

Eyerly considers it a privilege to have been born in such a time as when he wrestled with his fine teammates 50 years ago.  He considers wrestling an individual sport on the mat but a team sport off the mat.  The hours of practice and hard work learning from those teammates were accomplished together. He also learned many life lessons and disciplines that he later incorporated into his personal life.  Eyerly considers it a privilege to have been coached by Mr. Ellis and Mr. Zeman.  After high school he attended The Ohio State University in Columbus.  He married his high school sweetheart and has been married for over 45 years.  He and his wife have two children and four grandsons.  They remain active in their local church and enjoy the ministries.  Blessed to work his adult life for 41 years in the telephone industry, Donald enjoys electronics and holds an advanced class license for Amateur Radio Operations.

Bob Friend

Mr. Friend lettered three years in wrestling from 1966-1968 at Madison High School and won the J C Gorman his senior year. After graduating from Madison he attended Computer Training Technical School and entered the computer field.  In 1979 he was transferred to Cape Canaveral FL with ITT International Division.  He was employed in 1983 at the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Shuttle Program, working in the Launch Control Center.  While working full time at the Kennedy Space Center, He also enrolled full time at Rollins College, graduating in four years with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Computer Information systems.  Bob continued his interest in sports for 15 years by officiating high school football, wrestling, and basketball as well as college softball, officiating numerous state playoffs and finals.  In 1998 he became an Engineer with Sprint, later bought out by Century Link, and retired from Century Link in March 2013.  Shortly thereafter he and his wife, Genia, relocated back to Ohio.  They moved to family property is Lisbon, which makes them the fourth generation to own.  It is fondly referred to as “the Backwoods Resort”.  It is a Certified Family Tree Farm.  Currently Bob is an active member of the Northeast Ohio Forestry Association and enjoys participating in the activities doing volunteer work with them.  He is enjoying his retirement with his wife by traveling, visiting family and friends and his woods and wildlife.

Greg Gilmore

Gilmore began his wrestling career at Madison High School from 196201966.  He then attended the University of Akron where he wrestled and earned a teaching degree.  He later returned to college where he earned his master’s degree. In 1970 Greg started his teaching and coaching career in Wadsworth City Schools.  He taught elementary physical education, fifth grade, and for the last 21 years he moved to 7^th grade science.  He also served as the junior high athletic director for 18 years.  While teaching in Wadsworth he also officiated wrestling for 9 years, qualified for 5 state wrestling tournaments and in 1998 was voted into the wrestling official’s hall of fame.  While teaching in Wadsworth, he met his wife Paula who was also a teacher.  They have two children, Amanda who is a nurse practitioner at University Hospital in Cleveland and Chad who is a teacher and wrestling coach in Medina City Schools.  Gilmore retired from teaching and coaching in 2001 with 31 years of service.  A year later he became his son’s assistant wrestling coach in Medina for 5 years.  Greg spends his free time golfing and with his four grandkids who he follows all over the place for their athletic events.  For the last 3 years he is once again coaching in the Medina’s youth wrestling program.

Tim Gilmore

Tim has been around wrestling since 1962 as a wrestler, coach, official or evaluator.  Wrestled for Coach Ellis and Coach Zeman at Madison High School, graduating in 1966.  Wrestled at the University of Akron, qualifying for the Nationals.  Coached wrestling at Crestline, Wadsworth, Willard, Galion and Ohio National Greco and Freestyle team.  Officiated at 13 Ohio state wrestling tournaments.   Included into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame.  Now working as an observer and evaluator of wrestling officials.  Tim has the distinction of having wrestled, coached and officiated in the J C Gorman Tournament.  Married to his wife Sandy for 40 years, they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.  Hobbies include golf and watching the grandchildren in their sports.

Jim Payne

Jim Payne truly loved the sport of wrestling.  After graduating from Crestline High School he began a career in the telephone business, as a Network Installer, and retired from that field after 40 years.  Sadly Mr. Payne passed away in November of 2010.  His wife, Sharon Payne, appreciated the recognition he is receiving.

Clendon Parr Jr.

Parr wrestled for Mansfield Senior High Tygers his junior and senior year (1964-66) under the great coaching of Bill Flanegan and Jim Lutz.  His second year, wrestling as a 195 pound heavyweight, he had a record of 20 wins and 3 losses (2 of which were to a 327 pound tackle from Sandusky).  “Jr” was the Gorman Heavyweight Division Champion and was selected as the J C Gorman Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.  He finished 2^nd. in the esteemed Buckeye Conference wrestling tournament later that year.  Parr’s fondest memory of his wrestling career was receiving instruction on the mat from a 90+ year old J C Gorman who was wearing a 3-piece suit at the time.  Later that year, Mr. Gorman flew him to Allentown, PA. to watch Lehigh wrestle Army.  Clendon earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ohio Wesleyan University where he majored in Economics.  He entered the steel industry with Cyclops Corporation in 1970 and later retired as a general manager of Coshocton Works of AK Steel Corp in 2000.  Parr and his wife Sherryl presently live in Bellville.  They have 5 children (including Matt Parr who wrestled for Mansfield Senior High in 1980’s) and 15 grandchildren.  He will never forget Coach Flanegan’s favorite quote, “Basketball is just a game.  Wrestling is a sport!”

Jim Payne

Jim Payne truly loved the sport of wrestling.  After graduating from Crestline High School he began a career in the telephone business, as a Network Installer and retired from that field after 40 years.  Sadly, Mr. Payne passed away in November of 2010.  His wife, Sharon Payne, appreciates the recognition he is receiving.

Mark Thomas

Mark wrestled in two J C Gorman tournaments in 1966 and 1967.  Wrestling installed a strong work ethic, self-discipline and goal setting that set the stage for his career aspirations.  While wrestling, Mark enjoyed being associated and bonding with Coach Ellis, Coach Zeman and his teammates.  He retired in 2016 with over 50 years in retail multi-store management. 

Bruce Weirich

Bruce graduated in 1972 from Mansfield Senior High School.  In 1976 he graduated from Ohio Northern University in Industrial Arts.  He went on to receive his Master’s in Education from Ashland University (Sports Administration) and Dayton University (school counseling).  Weirich has taught for 41 years and still going strong!  He has been married to his wife Susan for 37 years and has three sons, Kevin, Travis and Brian.  In addition, he has four grandchildren, Autumn, River, Tenley and Asher.  Of the many awards he has received over the years, he is most proud of the Jimo Adams Award from Mansfield Senior High in 1971, the Halley Weaver Award and the Walter Jennings Award.  His favorite sayings are, “AweSome” and “Not my Job”.

Gary Weisenstein

Gary is married to his wife Kristi and has 3 children, Alyssa, Brent, and Laura.  In addition to coaching at the Gorman for 10 years where he had 2 championship teams and calls the Gorman his favorite tournament, he has also coached high school and college wrestling for a total of 25 year.  Weisenstein was the 1979 185# State Champion.  His son Brent, was a 3 time state qualifier, a two time Gorman champion and placed 4^th at the state level. Gary has been a wrestling official for the past 9 years.

Dick Windbigler

Dick was involved with the J C Gorman Tournament for a total of 18 years as the Athletic Director.  His duties included retaining teams, wrestling officials, awards and hospitality.  His favorite part of the Gorman was the work he did w/the coaches, officials and the many volunteers.  Dick’s biggest highlight was receiving the Halley Weaver Award in 2011.  There is not a tougher sport than high school wrestling.

Tom Wolff

In high school Tom’s football career was All Cardinal Conference offensively and defensively and the All NW District.  He was a J C Gorman Champion and received the outstanding wrestler award.  He was also a three time Cardinal Conference champion.  Tom was a 4 year letterman in wrestling at the University of Akron and an NCAA Qualifier.  Tom went on to be the head wresting coach at South Plantation High School in Ft. Lauderdale and Ontario High School.  He took over a program at Ontario that had not won a meet in two years and in 8 years won over 100 dual meets, 21 team trophies including a J C Gorman Championship and two Gorman runner-up finishes.  Tom was inducted into the Ontario’s Coaches’ Hall of Fame.  Tom has been a principal and superintendent at Crestline Schools.  He also served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and superintendent at Ontario Schools.   In 1993 he was awarded the Ohio Governors Leadership Award. Tom and his brother, Ron, and friends Tim and Greg Gilmore were inspired by Coach Ellis to pursue a career in education as well as coaching wrestling.

Bruce Young

In 1966 Bruce wrestled at the 165# weight class and placed 3^rd at the JC Gorman.  He wanted to wrestle because his father wrestled for Mansfield Senior.  His dad showed him some of the techniques that made him a successful wrestler as he tried to implement them.  Wrestling helped him to persevere under various circumstances.  He really appreciated the patience Coach Ellis had with all his wrestlers.   He learned a great deal from him both in the classroom and on the mat.  Bruce has been happily married to his wife, Donna, for 45 years.  He is semi-retired: he taught for 18 years and was in manufacturing for 25 year.  Currently he works part time at Ace Hardware and Possum Run Greenhouse.  He enjoys studying the Bible, teaching Adult Sunday School, and various fitness related activities.