April - 2003

Wrestler of the Month

Waylon Lowe - The University of Findlay (Ohio)

Waylon Lowe became the University of Findlay's (Ohio) first NCAA Division II national champion when he won the 149-pound weight class to lead the Roughnecks to a sixth place tie at the national tournament. Again on March 15, 2003 Lowe, a junior won his second consecutive NCAA Division II championship to lead the Oiler Roughnecks to a fifth place team finish which was also the highest since moving to NCAA II status. In the 2000 NAIA Championships, Lowe with Findlay (then an NAIA program) placed 3rd in the 149/lb. division. Lowe has always taken wrestling very seriously. Lowe, a 1998 TSSAA State Champion at 135/lbs. wrestled at Jefferson County High School under Jeff Price, who is currently the head coach at Science Hill. For three consecutive years he was a TWF Freestyle and Greco-Roman State champion associated with 'Wolf Pack' Wrestling Club under Coach Jack Gallagher. With his motivation and hard work Waylon has represented Jefferson County, Findlay University, and Tennessee very well.

Coach of the Month

Pat Simpson - Father Ryan

Pat Simpson and his Fighting Irish (Father Ryan) wrapped up their 2003 season with 4 state champions and 9 other medalists of the 14 weight classes at the DII State Individual Championships!

This is Pat's own alma mater and the team has a long history of success. They continue to hold onto their all-time record of "most individual state champions" plus the most team state championship titles.

Coach Simpson graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, where he was an NCAA Regional Champion. Simpson, who is also an assistant football coach, began coaching at Father Ryan in the early eighties.