Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

fwdidiln Row 1: Ben McAdam, Dale Grabau, Don Smith. Art Whalen, Harold Gidel, Jerome Dasso, J. R. Evans, Curt Witt, Fred Frankville, Morris Cook Row 2: Edwin Stout. Charles Suman. Art Hill, Glenn McCarty, Don Suess, Bob Eberts, David White, Ernest Lamb, Bill Harbarger, Eugene Monroe Row 3: Jim Albright, manager, Manford Rowe, Kenny Downing, Carl Bengston, Dick Bozart, Clifford Bolt, Norbert Schirmer, Coach K. E. Greene Grabbing off a fourth-place rating in the state meet at Champaign, the Rock Island high school wrestlers drew to a close another of their increasingly successful mat seasons. Kenneth E. Greene, coaching his fifth year at Rock Island since the grappling sport made its appearance under his tutelage in 1941, turned out another well-rounded squad from a nucleus of returning men from last year's team. After losing two regulars, Paul Wilkins and Glenn McCarty, in mid-season, due to January graduations, the "grunt-n-groan" boys, led by Jerome Dasso and Benny McAdam, went on to compile a record of 10 wins and one loss in duel competition, a first place in the sectional meet, and their fourth-place state standing. About thirty boys finished out the season in good standing, and wrestling is already con- sidered a major sport at Rocky High. Jerome Dasso, heavyweight, went through all comers and annexed the state title in the 165-lb. class. Dasso was a regular last year at 155 and moved into the heavy class to fill ably the shoes of state champion Bob Bennett of last year. Harold Gidel worked his way to second place in the 155-lb class at state. Little Benny Mc- Adam, weighing in at 112, copped third-place honors at Champaign, losing in the semifinals after running up a string of victories over a period of two years. Other regulars who added points to Rock Island totals throughout the year include Dale Grabau, 1225 Art Whalen, 145, J. R. Evans, 140, Don Smith and Curt Witt, each at 1335 Fred Frankville at 127, and Morris Cook at a grand total of 105 lbs.