We continue - and this week conclude - the countdown of
JJHuddle's “Top 50 Ohio High
School Athletes of the Decade” for 1999-2009. Today we unveil the No. 3
athlete in our countdown. No. 1 will be announced Friday!
Today's entry is the most decorated wrestler in state history...he's
done things no one else has.
We continue - and this week conclude - the countdown of
JJHuddle's “Top 50 Ohio High
School Athletes of the Decade” for 1999-2009. Today we unveil the No. 3
athlete in our countdown. No. 1 will be announced Friday!
Today's entry is the most decorated wrestler in state history...he's done things no one else has.
3. David Taylor, Graham, Wrestling, 2005-2009: Taylor’s resume reads like Aesop wrote it. The recent Graham graduate and current Penn State freshman won four Division II state titles, three junior high state titles, five National Championships, two Super 32 titles, a Beast of the East crown and was the 2009 Dave Schultz National Award winner (the country’s most prestigious high school wrestling honor).
Taylor also did several things no one else ever has.
Taylor is the only wrestler in history to win the vaunted Walsh Ironman four times. He’s also the only wrestler ever to beat Logan Stieber (remember him?), which he did in the Ironman finals.
And there was also that epic with Collin Palmer. In the only meeting ever between two three-time defending state champions, Taylor bumped up a weight class and handed Palmer his only loss ever to an Ohio wrestler (that’s two, remember Stieber?). Did we mention both Taylor and Palmer were ranked No. 1 in the country at their respective weight classes (135 and 140) at the time?
There’s literally nothing Taylor didn’t accomplish during his high school career. He even lost. So he’s human…kind of. Finishing 180-2, Taylor went undefeated his final two years of high school.
After originally committing to juggernaut Iowa State, Taylor ended up at Penn State after head coach and legend Cael Sanderson left Ames for State College. Taylor is red-shirting. He is a legitimate threat to win an NCAA title in 2011.
Taylor vs Palmer, 2009
COMPLETE COUNTDOWN
Honorable Mention
50. Daequan Cook, Dayton Dunbar, Basketball, 2002-2006
49. Maurice Hall, Columbus Brookhaven, Football, 1997-2001
48. Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover, Football, 2006-2010
47. Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland, Basketball, 2006-2010
46. Marc Sylvester, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Track, 1997-2001
45. Collin Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward, Wrestling, 2005-2009
44. Dustin Schlatter, Graham/Massillon Perry, Wrestling, 2001-2005
43. Cachet Murray, Girard, Track, 2002-2005
42. Jantel Lavender, Cleveland Central Catholic, Basketball, 2003-2007
41. Whitney Meyers, Cincinnati St. Ursula, Swimming, 1999-2003
40. Lance Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward, Wrestling, 2002-2006
39. Harry Lester, Cuy. Valley Shristian Academy, Wrestling, 1997-2001
38. O.J. Mayo, North College Hill, Basketball, 2003-2006
37. Michelle Munoz, Mason, Girls Basketball, 1997-2001
36. Maurice Clarett, Warren Harding, Football, 1997-2001
35. Chris Ash, Akron Firestone, Swimming, 2001-2005
34. Bridget Franek, Mantua Crestwood, Track & Field, 2002-2006
33. Ryan Pore, Mansfield Madison Comprehensive, Soccer,
1998-2002
32. Jessica Simpson, North Canton Hoover, Softball, 2004-2008
31. Tony Jameson, Austintown-Fitch, Wrestling, 2005-2009
30. Blaine Maag, Columbus Grove, Football & Track & Field, 2001-2005
29. Jeff Jaggers, Bedford St. Peter Chanel, Wrestling, 2000-2004
28. Kristin Daugherty, Warsaw River View, Volleyball and Basketball, 2003-2007
27. Nate Davis, Bellaire, Football and Basketball, 2003-2007
26. Lauren Prochaska, Plain City
Jonathan Alder, Basketball, 2003-2007
25. Sarah Dorenkott, Gates Mills Hawken, Swimming, 2003-2006
24. Margo Geer, Fairbanks, Swimming, 2006-2010
23. Erik Kynard, Toledo Rogers, Track & Field, 2005-2009
22. Todd Boeckman, St. Henry, Football, Basketball and Baseball,
1999-2003
21. Sam Borchers, Yellow Springs, Track & Field, 2003-2007
20. Nicole Fawcett, Ben Logan, Volleyball, 2001-2005
19. Sarah Schulze, Anna, Cross Country, Basketball and Track & Field,
2003-2007
18. Jimmie Pacifico, Vandalia-Butler, Track & Field, 2003-2007
17. Ryan Radcliff, Sherwood Fairview, Football & Baseball, 2004-2008
16. Barbara Turner, Cleveland East Tech, Basketball, 1999-2002
15. Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Wrestling, 2006-2010
14. Jason Bainum, Williamsburg, Football, 1998-2002
13. Matt Allare, Kings Mills Kings, Tennis, 2003-07
12. Kenneth "Kiki" Willis, Youngstown Mooney, Soccer, 2001-2005
11. Ted Ginn Jr., Glenville, Football & Track, 2000-2004
10. Tyrell Sutton, Akron Hoban, Football, 2001-2005
9. Brandon Saine, Piqua, Football & Track, 2003-07
8. Alyssa Kiel, Gates Mills Hawken, Swimming, 2001-2005
7. Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky, Basketball, 2003-07
6. C.P. Schlatter, Columbus DeSales/Graham, Wrestling, 1999-2003
5. Emily Pendleton, Elmore Woodmore, Track & Field, 2003-2007
4. Sunni Olding, Minster, Cross Country, Basketball and Track,
2000-04
