Plano Yesteryear: Plano wrestling has history of excellence

While wrestling has not had as long of history at Plano High School as football or basketball, it has had a history of excellence.

Interscholastic wrestling first appeared at PHS during the 1967-68 season, with Ken Cummins as the coach. Rich Atkinson was the first state qualifier in 1974, followed by Jeff Benoit as the first state medalist in 1975 (fourth place) at 112 pounds. Both were coached by Ken “Burr” Cummins. In 1986, Joey Van Gundy wrestled his way to Plano’s first state championship, also at 112 pounds. Also, 1986 was the first year PHS had multiple state medalists, as Joey’s cousin, Jeff Baker, finished second at 138 pounds.

Dan Limon became Plano’s first repeat state champion in 1990 and 1991 (both at 140 pounds), while Derrick Maisonet accomplished that feat in 2013 (220 pounds) and 2014 (195 pounds). The Reapers earned their first trip downstate for dual team wrestling in 2013. In 2014, Maisonet led PHS to a third-place finish in the state dual team wrestling. Coach Joe Kampf’s 2014 team beat Roxana (44-33), lost to Dakota (15-60) then topped Sherrard (52-18).

The Reapers’ only three-time state champions are Tom LeCuyer (1994, 103 pounds; 1995, 119 pounds; 1996, 125 pounds) and Ruben Villareal (2000, 130 pounds; 2001, 140 pounds; 2003, 152 pounds). Rounding out the 19 Reaper wrestling state championships are Curt Tomac (1991, Hwt), Bobby Olson (1992, 189 pounds), Jose Villareal (1994, 125 pounds), Ken Henze (1996, 135 pounds), Sandro Nunez (1998, 125 pounds), Mark Mendoza (2001, 160 pounds), Nick Nasti (2007, 285 pounds) and JJ Cannon (2010, 160 pounds). Nasti also starred on Plano’s 2006 state champion football team. Of the 19 state championships, 10 were won under Coach Joe Cliffe (1982 to 1996). Cliffe had a total of 41 state qualifiers and 24 state medalists.

Plano had two other three-year state placers: David Bobbe from 1989 to 1991 finished fourth at 103 pounds, second at 112 pounds and fourth at 119 pounds, while Wes Brown from 2012 to 2014 finished third, fourth and second (all at 160 pounds). Five other matmen just missed the top step of the winners’ stand: Matt Bagley in 1995 at 140 pounds, Billy Goldsmith in 2001 at 171 pounds, Shawn Lawrence in 1992 at 130 pounds, Travis Martinez in 1998 at 275 pounds and Tommy Brown in 2015 at 285 pounds.

The Plano Historical Society is interested in old Plano team photos (or other Plano photos). If you would like to donate or allow the Society to scan any photos or would like to join, contact President Bob Hausler at 630-552-3210 or bhausler@cityofplanoil.org. Check out the Plano Historical Society Facebook page for more photos and a meeting schedule. The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. March 26 at the Plano Community Library.