Spencer Lee winning the third of his three Ironman titles (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)By now you've probably seen the key matches at the Walsh Ironman, perused through the brackets and checked out how your favorite school's recruits fared at the toughest in-season high school tournament in the country. If not, here's the place to track them.
Hopefully, you've also seen some of the research that our pal Jason Bryant has done at Mat-Talk Online regarding the history of the tournament. In that vein, we've gone back and tracked how the champions of the event (from 2013-17) fared in college.
Why that timeframe? Well, there was no tournament in 2020 and champions from 2018 and 2019 are still in the infancy of their collegiate careers (for the most part).
So after looking at Jason's historical data, you'll notice that many of the recent greats of our sport have found success at the Ironman. Spencer Lee, Zahid Valencia, Bo Nickal, all excelled at the early-season tournament in Akron. But is winning the Ironman the "be-all, end-all?" Not, necessarily! Just going back to 2013, there are plenty of winners that didn't see the same level of success in college, for various reasons. While, at the same time, some did.
2017 Champions
106 lbs - Jacob Decatur (CVCA, OH) Ohio State University: Redshirted; 0-1 career record, Transferred to Baldwin Wallace and currently ranked #1 in DIII.
113 lbs - Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Blair Academy, NJ) Oklahoma State University: 2021; NCAA Qualifier, 15-6 record, Big 12 fifth-place, Currently ranked #12 at 125 lbs
120 lbs - Michael Colaiocco (Blair Academy, NJ) University of Pennsylvania: 2020 NCAA Qualifier, 2020 NWCA 2nd Team All-American, 23-7 record, Currently ranked #13 at 133 lbs
126 lbs - Malik Johnson (Christian Brothers, MO) University of Missouri; Transferred to Central Methodist University; Currently at Cowley College
132 lbs - Joey Silva (Lake Highland Prep, FL) University of Michigan; Redshirted; 6-3 record in 2019-20; Not currently on a roster
138 lbs - JD Stickley (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; Redshirted; 9-5 career record; Not currently on a roster
145 lbs - Brock Hardy (Box Elder, UT) University of Nebraska; Two-year mission; 5-3 record 2021
152 lbs - David Carr (Massillon Perry, OH) Iowa State University; 2x Big 12 champion, 2021 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Champion, 45-1 career record; 2018 Junior World Champion, Currently ranked #1 at 157 lbs
160 lbs - Ryan Thomas (Graham, OH) University of Minnesota; redshirted; 11-11 career record, Not currently on a roster
170 lbs - Rocky Jordan (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; redshirted; 2x NCAA qualifier, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 44-21 career record
182 lbs - AJ Ferrari (Allen, TX) Oklahoma State University; 2021 Big 12 Champion, 2021 NCAA Champion, 24-1 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 197 lbs
195 lbs - Michael Beard (Malvern Prep, PA) Penn State University; 2021 Big Ten sixth-place, 2021 NCAA seventh-place, 13-6 career record
220 lbs - Braxton Amos (Parkersburg South, WV) University of Wisconsin; 2021 Junior World Champion (freestyle), 2021 Junior World bronze (Greco-Roman), 7-1 career record, Currently ranked #30 at 197 lbs
285 lbs - Cohlton Schultz (Ponderosa, CO) Arizona State University; 2021 Pac-12 Champion, 2021 NCAA fourth-place, 25-2 career record, Currently ranked #3 at 285 lbs, 2017 Cadet World Champion, 2x Junior World Medalist
2016 Champions
106 lbs - Julian Tagg (Brecksville, OH) University of North Carolina; 1-1 career record
113 lbs - Gabe Tagg (Brecksville, OH) University of North Carolina; redshirted; Not currently on a roster
120 lbs - Beau Bartlett (Wyoming Seminary, PA) Penn State University; 12-4 career record; Currently ranked #23 at 149 lbs
126 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs
132 lbs - Zack Donathan (Mason, OH) Has been on the roster for Lincoln College, Iowa Central, and Ellsworth
138 lbs - Moises Guillen (Perrysburg, OH) Ohio University; Redshirted and went 6-7 at Ohio; Currently on the roster for Lourdes University
145 lbs - Sammy Sasso (Nazareth, PA) Ohio State University; 2021 NCAA runner-up, 2021 Big Ten Champion, 2020 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 52-5 career record; Currently ranked #2 at 149 lbs
152 lbs - Quentin Hovis (Poway, CA) United State Naval Academy; 28-19 career record
160 lbs - Georgio Poullas (Canfield, OH) Cleveland State University; 16-15 record, Rider University; 8-9 record; Not currently on a roster
170 lbs - Mike Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) University of Nebraska; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA Second-Team All-American, 2021 Big Ten third place, 77-21 career record; Currently ranked #3 at 174 lbs
182 lbs - Michael Beard (Malvern Prep, PA) Penn State University; 2021 Big Ten sixth-place, 2021 NCAA seventh-place, 13-6 career record
195 lbs - Jacob Warner (Washington, IL) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American; 3x Big Ten third-place finisher, 58-15 career record; Currently ranked #7 at 197 lbs
220 lbs - Chase Singletary (Blair Academy, NJ) Ohio State University; 2019 NCAA Qualifier, 28-10 career record; Not currently on a roster
285 lbs - Niko Camacho (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) American University; 33-29 career record
2015 Champions
106 lbs - Nate Keaton (Circleville, OH) Wheeling Jesuit University/West Liberty University
113 lbs - Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL) Stanford University; 2020 Pac-12 Champion, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher; 25-4 career record
120 lbs - Jack Mueller (Trinity Catholic, TX) University of Virginia; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2019 ACC Champion, 85-14 career record
126 lbs - Tariq Wilson (Steubenville, OH) NC State University; 2x NCAA 3rd Place finisher, 2020 NWCA Honorable Mention AA, 2021 ACC Champion, 84-22 career record, Currently ranked #3 at 149 lbs
132 lbs - Dylan Duncan (Montini Catholic, IL) University of Illinois; 2021 NCAA fifth-place finisher, 2018 Big Ten third place, 65-39 career record, Currently ranked #5 at 141 lbs
138 lbs - Hunter Ladnier (St. Edward, OH) Harvard University; 2017 NCAA Qualifier, 2017 EIWA runner-up; 83-46 career record
145 lbs - David Carr (Massillon Perry, OH) Iowa State University; 2x Big 12 champion, 2021 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Champion, 45-1 career record; 2018 Junior World Champion, Currently ranked #1 at 157 lbs
152 lbs - Mason Manville (Wyoming Seminary, PA) Penn State University; 10-11 career record; 2017 Greco-Roman World Team
160 lbs - Alex Marinelli (Graham, OH) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American; 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x Big Ten champion, 3x NCAA #1 seed; 80-10 career record, Currently ranked #1 at 165 lbs
170 lbs - Austin Bell (Belle Vernon, PA) University of Pittsburgh; Lock Haven University; 52-49 career record
182 lbs - Nick Reenan (Wyoming Seminary, PA) NC State University; 3x NCAA qualifier, 54-29 career record; 2018 Final X participant
195 lbs - Chase Singletary (Blair Academy, NJ) Ohio State University; 2019 NCAA Qualifier, 28-10 career record; Not currently on a roster
220 lbs - Matt Stencel (Oregon Clay, OH) Central Michigan University; 2019 NCAA seventh-place finisher, 4x NCAA Qualifier, 4x MAC champion, 104-28 career record; Currently ranked #9 at 285 lbs
285 lbs - Kameron Teacher (Central Crossing, OH) Notre Dame College/St. Cloud State University, 2021 NCAA DII National Champion, Four-time DII All-American, Currently ranked #2 at 285 lbs in DII
2014 Champions
106 lbs - Cade Olivas (St. John Bosco, CA) Never wrestled in college
113 lbs - Mitch Moore (Graham, OH) Virginia Tech/University of Oklahoma; 2021 Big 12 runner-up, 2019 ACC runner-up, 3x NCAA qualifier, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, Currently ranked #15 at 149 lbs
120 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs
126 lbs - Eli Seipel (Graham, OH) University of Pittsburgh; Did not appear for Pitt
132 lbs - Cameron Kelly (Bellbrook, OH) Ohio University; 3x NCAA qualifier, 87-32 career record
138 lbs - Davion Jeffries (Broken Arrow, OK) University of Oklahoma; 4x NCAA qualifier, 2x Big 12 runner-up, 89-58 career record
145 lbs - Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 2021 Big Ten Champion, 86-8 career record, Currently ranked #2 at 174 lbs
152 lbs - Isaiah White (Oak Park-River Forest, IL) Notre Dame College/University of Nebraska; DII National Champion, 3x NCAA qualifier, 2019 NCAA fifth-place, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American; 70-21 career record
160 lbs - Alex Marinelli (Graham, OH) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American; 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x Big Ten champion, 3x NCAA #1 seed; 80-10 career record, Currently ranked #1 at 165 lbs
170 lbs - Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2021 NCAA eighth-place finisher, 4x Pac-12 Champion, 4x NCAA qualifier, 107-26 career record; Currently ranked #6 at 165 lbs
182 lbs - Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2x NCAA Champion, 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Pac-12 Champion, 121-3 career record
195 lbs - Dylan Reynolds (Saegertown, PA) Edinboro University; 76-55 career record
220 lbs - David Showunmi (Blair Academy, NJ) Stanford University; 40-28 career record
285 lbs - Kevin Vough (Elyria, OH) South Dakota State University; Redshirted in 2017-18
2013 Champions
106 lbs - Tyler Warner (Claymont, OH) Wheeling Jesuit/Pitt-Johnstown/West Liberty University; 2x NCAA DII National Champion, 3x DII All-American; 74-12 career record; Currently ranked #2 at 133 lbs in DII
113 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs
120 lbs - Ke-Shawn Hayes (Park Hill, MO) Ohio State University, 2x NCAA Qualifier, 20108 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 58-21 career record
126 lbs - Matt Kolodzik (Blair Academy, NJ) Princeton University, 3x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x EIWA Champion, 99-15 career record
132 lbs - Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2x NCAA Champion, 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Pac-12 Champion, 121-3 career record
138 lbs - Joey McKenna (Blair Academy, NJ) Stanford University/Ohio State University; 3x NCAA All-American; 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Pac-12 Champion, 105-11 career record
145 lbs - Micah Jordan (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Big Ten runner-up, 115-21 career record
152 lbs - Jacob Danishek (Dayton Christian, OH) Indiana University; 2017 NCAA Qualifier, 73-48 career record
160 lbs - Dylan Milonas (Blair Academy, NJ) Lehigh University; 3-0 career record
170 lbs - Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2021 NCAA eighth-place finisher, 4x Pac-12 Champion, 4x NCAA qualifier, 107-26 career record; Currently ranked #6 at 165 lbs
182 lbs - Bo Nickal (Allen, TX) Penn State University, 3x NCAA Champion, 4x NCAA finalist, 2019 Hodge Trophy winner, 3x Big Ten champion, 120-3 career record
195 lbs - Derek White (Edmond North, OK) University of Nebraska/Oklahoma State University, 2019 NCAA runner-up, 2x Big 12 Champion, 83-18 career record
220 lbs - Edgar Ruano (Montini Catholic, IL) Clarion University; 23-42 career record
285 lbs - Michael Johnson (Montini Catholic, IL) Yale University football/Duke University; 8-5 career record
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