The once-proud University of Toledo wrestling program with its winning tradition is not just a few chapters in a dusty sports record book even though an economic decision rolled up its mats at the school.
Coach Joe Scalzo, wrestlers Dick Torio, Harry Lanzi, and many others put the spotlight on UT, which in addition to its fine collegiate program also served as host for World Cup Wrestling tournaments under Scalzo's direction.
UT's wrestling alumni and their sons aren't about to allow the memories to fade away.
One of the places where the Rockets' winning excellence lives on is Muskegon (Mich.) Community College, where sophomore David Wyper is a heavyweight representative on the wrestling team.
David is the son of Don Wyper, who as a wrestler was one of many top contributors to the success of the University of Toledo program.
Don went to Bowsher High School. David was a standout wrestler at Perrysburg.
With the Yellow Jackets, he was a two-time state meet qualifier and holder of several wrestling team records.
David transferred to Muskegon from the University of To-ledo, which had dropped wrestling, so that he could continue with the sport.
Last year he was one match from gaining All-American status in the National Junior College Athletic Association championships.
This year, he entered the nationals at Rochester, Minn., with a 27-3 record and was top-ranked at 285 pounds. He pinned Zach Corbett of Highland at 6:11 in his first match.
His next two matches, however, were narrow defeats: 7-6 to Ben Hohensee of Labette and 3-2 in the consolation second round to Alex Delonis of William Rainey Harper.
He had pinned Delonis in 1:44 in the Triton Open earlier.
The Jayhawks finished 12th in the tournament with 47 points. Iowa Central was first with 138.
Among David's many accomplishments this season was a first in the Niagara Open, where he was named the meet's outstanding wrestler.
Among his first-place finishes were the Wabash Monen Bell Duals in Crawfordsville, Ind.; the Grand Valley State University Open, and the Central Regional tournament in addition to others in dual and quadrangular competition.
He was named to the NJCAA Coaches Association All-Academic team last season.
With his junior college career over, Wyper hopes to transfer to a four-year college next year to complete his final two years of collegiate competition.
And, the successful UT wrestling heritage of his dad and other Rockets should carry on.
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First Published March 5, 2008, 6:35 p.m.