I wrestled in the NCAA wrestling tourney in 1973 for Rutgers, and witnessed the greatness of Wade! I only wish I had him as a teammate, as the moves he had were unbelievable! Truly, one of the greatest wrestlers to have ever lived!!!

I first saw Schalles in January 1969 at an International Meet at Montgomery Jr. College, in Maryland. Wade was against a Greco Jr. World Champ from Iran. This guy was a real Fire Plug (short, thick and strong). Twice in the first 30 seconds the Iranian tried to throw Wade with body locks and Wade was able to just get free. The third time he actually got Wade off the ground and while still in the air, Wade got 1 toe down and swiveled his hips and hit a beautiful Lateral Drop and pinned the guy. The guy didn't know what hit him. After the meet I took a chance and talked to Wade. He said "It doesn't ever matter if I am losing, because if even one of my moves works, the match is over". He was supremely confident and he was right.

@JudoMateo

3 жыл бұрын

That’s an awesome story that definitely rings true his confidence in the pocket was supreme as well as his technique. I wish there was more footage of him did you watch online.

My pap, Chuck Jackson was his coach then. He's the one jumping in celebration and the one that picks him up at the end of the clip. He just passed, and a family member came across this video. What a wonderful find.

@oldcougar65

3 жыл бұрын

I knew Chuck Jackson. I wrestled one of his Elizabethtown kids at Regions, and then after he moved back to E-town from Holidaysburg, I tried to sell him a computer for the HS. I'd sit in his office and we'd wait for the bell to ring. When the bell rang we'd go out in the hall and watch the HS girls. Those were the years they could wear anything, or practically nothing.

Wade STILL holds the record for most career pins. He's a great guy too!

Had the privilege of graduating from high school and college with Wade Great person on and off the mat, what he accomplished in life is well deserved This man had the most positive attitude about everything In my opinion, best wrestling showman ever, always went for the pin !

One of the greatest moments in PIAA wrestling history. It was just the beginning for Wade Schalles who went on to become a 2x NCAA Champion!

I was there but never thought I'd see this again. John 'Bimbo' Chatman getting pinned! We were shocked!...of course no one in the WPIAL had any idea just how good Wade was. This was also the year Lester Peterson won at 120...so a tip of the hat to Lester. Thanks so much for posting this!

Loosely goosely ❤

I was privileged to see this match and the eruption of the crowd was impressive. I was a freshman wrestler at the time. Saw Schalles toy with a Navy wrestler at the Bloomsburg Open in I think 1975. Those of us who were out stuck around to watch the master. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw wrestle in person. I told the story of his 1969 pin for many years and am thrilled to see the video so many years later.

Bo Nickal did a move similar to this in the NCAA finals a few years back

@Veganpower17

Жыл бұрын

It’s the same move

What I remember most about Wade, is The Elevator. I remember watching this on the old B&W. Dude was a beast with the elevator.

@lillianstover4477

2 жыл бұрын

The Elevator is legendary, he would go to HS camps and “sit” in the middle of the mat taking on all comers no matter the weight and pin the with the elevator, has to be the strongest wrestler per pound ever. Kids kept coming, trying not to be pinned but afterwards kinda honored. .

Saw Wade for many years at the Wilkes Open. Will never forget 1 opponent who was about to foolishly go in on Wade's outstretched leg and the whole crowd together yelled out "Don't grab his leg ". That crowd warning happened 2 more times until Wade's opponent went for it and was almost instantly pinned.

@davidhovey6045

Жыл бұрын

Wrestling at University of Rhode Island in 1974 we wrestled @ Clarion & our two time New England champion team captain went out against Wade. Wade stuck HIS leg out then & our guy grabbed it!😩😭. Pinned shortly thereafter! Lol. Thanks for reminding me.49 years ago! Lol

Once a stud always a stud. All hail Schalles!

@lucygribbin

4 жыл бұрын

Tremendous talent and a Comic off the Mat, will spend time and tell stories younger fans.

The first time I ever saw Schalles was when I was a freshman @ Clarion State College (1971) and Pitt was the opponent. Chatman came out and essentially punched Schalles in what I thought were illegal moves while Schalles appeared to be intimidated. Eventually Wade got a takedown and the tide shifted (don't remember the score, just the win). At the time I had no idea what I was witnessing, but Wade went on to be one of the greatest ever and Chatman was never heard of again.

@terryhollis6055

2 жыл бұрын

...and Chatman gave the middle finger to the crowd and was loudly booed...then a fight broke out in the stands involving Chatman's Trinity High School coach.

@oldcougar65

2 жыл бұрын

Chatman was an EIWA champ. It's not accurate to say he was never heard from again.

That sweep is called Obi Tori Gaeshi in Judo, man Schalles sure had awesome mat savvy he didn't look nervous at all. His DVDs on pinning are very good.

The real excellences of execution!

The Original Funk Master

My HS wrestling coach told me that Schalles took a week or two of judo lessons and entered the US national tournament...and won!

I had the pleasure of seeing Schalles pin Floyd "Shorty" Hitchcock of Bloomsburg for the PSAC title in 1974. Shorty went on to win the 177 NCAA D-1 and D-2 titles that season and won both tournament's OW. Schalles, who was a 158-pounder that year, was not eligible to compete in the NCAA in what was his senior season at Clarion. He moved up two weight classes to face the best wrestler pound-for-pound in the NCAA that year.

I watched Wade Schalles wrestle at the Wilkes Tournament. I don't remember the year. He let the other wrestler shoot a single leg. Schalles moved the head to the wrong side and pinned him by just falling down on top of him with single arm headlock. He is definitely a brilliant wrestler.

Wade challes vs bo nikal

@TR-ho5is

4 жыл бұрын

Similar styles would be so good

@BillyGumbino

4 жыл бұрын

Schalles. All day.

The original gator bacon

I went to a coaches clinic and wades Schalles was a clinician. I had a good cradles and nalf nelson but his instruction made it more dangerous.

the music didn't work for me

Wrestlers been doing butterfly sweeps for ages, yet bjj fanboys think some jiu-jitsu wrestler invented it in 2010s.