By BRIAN CARSON

Flashback to 1978 and the Lewistown High School gymnasium is packed to the rafters. Everyone knows what’s coming, but no one can stop it. The crowd roars as Ken Whitsel hits his signature headlock.

In seconds, Whitsel pins his opponent, adding another victory to a legacy that would shape Pennsylvania wrestling for decades to come.

With a career marked by dominance and record-breaking performances, his absence from the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame raises serious questions. How can a wrestler of his caliber, with such an impact on the sport, remain unrecognized at this level?

Whitsel’s high school career stands as evidence of both consistency and excellence. Over four years, he amassed a remarkable record of 103 wins and only five losses. Among these victories, 72 came by pin, showcasing his ability to not just win but to dominate his opponents. In dual meets, he was flawless—52 matches, 52 victories. This level of performance is rare and deserves acknowledgment.

He didn’t collect wins; he collected titles. Whitsel became a four-time District 6 champion, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors all four times. At the regional level, he mirrored this achievement with four championships and three Outstanding Wrestler awards.

In 1977, Whitsel finished as the state runner-up, losing to Easton’s Bobby Weaver, a future Olympic Gold medalist, 6-5. Not satisfied, he returned in 1978 to claim the PIAA championship. He followed this with a third-place finish in 1979, demonstrating sustained excellence throughout his high school tenure. In his junior year, he went 28-0 with 22 falls, a forfeit, and three superior decisions (there was no technical fall back then).

Whitsel didn’t limit himself to folkstyle wrestling. In freestyle competition, he won the AAU National Championship. In 1974, he took silver at the World Championship in Santa Domingo, representing his country on an international stage. His talent transcended local competition; he proved himself against the best wrestlers worldwide.

In 1978, Whitsel continued his success by winning the AAU National Championship once again. He earned a spot on the World Team and toured Europe, compiling a 9-0 record against international competitors. This experience honed his skills and contributed to the reputation of Pennsylvania wrestling on a global scale.

By 1979, Whitsel had become a household name in wrestling circles. He was among the few wrestlers in Pennsylvania history to surpass 100 career wins. At the time, only John Brennan of Wyoming Valley West (121), Nate Carr of Erie Tech (115), and Tom Klingensmith of Penn Trafford (113) had achieved this milestone. Whitsel’s 103 wins placed him in elite company.

Perhaps most impressively, he became the all-time leader in falls after the 1979 season, securing 72 pins. This record highlighted his technical proficiency and aggressive style. Given these accomplishments, the question arises: Why isn’t Ken Whitsel in the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame?

Those who know him and his career-best share this sentiment. Dale Searer, Mifflin County assistant coach and District 6 champion in 1985, spoke highly of Whitsel’s influence.

“He was the best wrestler ever in Lewistown history,” Searer said. “Younger kids looked up to him and wanted to be like Kenny Whitsel. His accomplishments speak for themselves as to why he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

Whitsel’s impact extends beyond his generation. Hayden Hidlay, a PIAA champion and five-time NCAA All-American, credits Whitsel for paving the way for future wrestlers from Mifflin County.

“I believe Ken Whitsel is more than deserving to join the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame,” Hidlay said. “Being a four-time District 6 champion and PIAA champion puts him in rarefied air. He will remain the only PIAA champion to come out of Lewistown Area High School. He certainly paved the way for future generations of wrestlers, including my brother and me. His decades as a competitor and coach deserve the distinction of Hall of Fame worthy.”

Trent Hidlay, Hayden’s brother and a two-time PIAA champion and five-time NCAA All-American, echoed these sentiments.

“Kenny Whitsel was the first legend in the sport of wrestling that I ever met,” Trent reflected. “When my brother and I were very young, Kenny worked with us individually and made a profound impact on our wrestling careers and lives. His state championship picture in the Lewistown High School was the first inspiration that I ever had in wrestling. I knew from then on, I wanted to be a state champion. To this day, Kenny remains one of my favorite supporters, and he will always be one of my favorite wrestlers.”

Whitsel’s influence isn’t limited to his wrestling accolades; it extends to his contributions as a coach and mentor. Mike Robinson, a PIAA runner-up in 1984, emphasized Whitsel’s ongoing commitment to the sport.

“I certainly feel that Kenny should be in the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame due to what he brought to wrestling in his era and the excitement he gave during his career—not only being a state champion but also an Outstanding Wrestler,” Robinson said. “Along with that, his life of giving back to the sport with coaching at Messiah and Lewistown adds to his credentials.”

Kirby Martin, Mifflin County wrestling coach, highlighted Whitsel’s style and impact on the mat. “Ken Whitsel set the bar for wrestling in Mifflin County,” Martin declared. “His headlock will always be a thing of beauty and one of the best ever in Pennsylvania wrestling. He was a scoring machine before the likes of what we are now seeing at Penn State. He made wrestling fun by scoring points in bunches.”

And it’s not only fans and former wrestlers scratching their heads; even those who’ve coached alongside him are baffled. Ed Curry, Lewistown assistant coach during the Whitsel years, captures the sentiment perfectly.

“I have often been puzzled by the apparent oversight of Ken as a potential inductee. In my opinion, his accomplishments as a PA wrestler are clearly worthy of consideration,” Curry said.

The question remains: why has Whitsel been overlooked for induction into the PWCA Hall of Fame? His resume stacks up favorably against many current inductees, and his impact on the sport extends well beyond his competitive career.

One possible explanation lies in the evolving nature of high school wrestling records. As the sport has grown and changed, career win totals have increased dramatically. What was once considered an exceptional career total might now be viewed as merely good. However, this perspective fails to account for the context of Whitsel’s achievements.

In the 1970s, high school wrestlers competed in fewer matches per season than they do today. The fact Whitsel amassed 103 wins, 72 by fall, in this era speaks volumes about his dominance. His success in freestyle wrestling and on the international stage adds a dimension to his career many Hall of Famers lack.

Another factor might be the geographical distribution of Hall of Fame inductees. While Pennsylvania boasts a rich wrestling tradition statewide, certain regions have historically received more recognition than others. Lewistown, despite producing excellent wrestlers, doesn’t have the same profile as some other wrestling hotbeds in the state, like the WPIAL or the Lehigh Valley.

The local wrestling community should rally to support his induction. Coaches, former wrestlers, fans, and officials can advocate for his inclusion. Letters, petitions, and nominations can bring attention to his deserving candidacy. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together and acknowledge one of its own.

Look, the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame isn’t a participation list for those who showed up and gave it the old college try. It’s for the titans, the game-changers, the athletes who left an indelible mark on the sport.

Whitsel checks every box.

So, here’s a suggestion for the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association: Fix this. Make it right. Because every year that goes by without Whitsel in the Hall of Fame is another year, the Hall loses a bit of its luster.

Let’s not allow bureaucracy or oversight to diminish the legacy of a true champion.

To the powers that be: Do the right thing. Honor the man who brought honor to Pennsylvania wrestling. Induct Ken Whitsel into the Hall of Fame where he belongs.

If a 103-5 record, 72 pins, multiple championships, international accolades, and decades of mentorship aren’t enough to get you in, then maybe the Hall needs to rethink what it stands for.