Coach Al Bowar started the wrestling program in Garretson High School in 1970, and it was the dawn of a new age in Garretson Athletics. Fifty years later the program is still going strong. All GHS alumni wrestlers were honored and recognized during the tournament on Friday. Pictured here are the first varsity, junior varsity and wrestling cheer teams.
Front row from left to right is JV wrestlers Dean Karli, Gerald Julson, and Bert Risty. Basketball Cheerleaders who cheered for the wrestlers for a few events are Mary Garry Frerk and Peg Vandersnick Quamen. Kristi Hanson Granstad is the only original wrestling cheerleading squad member still with us. Next is the man who started it all here in Garretson, Coach Al Bowar. Joe Vandersnick is also a JV wrestler. Back row are our first varsity wrestlers; heavyweight Steve Holzapfel, Oran Sorenson at 185 lbs, Royce Quamen at 175 lbs, Randy Schleuter at 165 lbs, David Quamen at 155 lbs, Kevin Karti at 145 lbs, Paul Evenson at 145 lbs, Dick Dubbelde at 137 lbs, Paul Nesheim at 130 lbs, Daryl Engelbrecht at 123 lbs, Jim Julson at 115 lbs, and Ron Nelson at 107 lbs. Not pictured is Eldon Semmen at 98 lbs. Check out the sports section for more details.
