The Notre Dame wrestling club boasts a rich and storied history, marked by formidable teams and exceptional individual talent. From its humble beginnings in 1940 to its current standing, the club has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
A strong present stands on the shoulders of a solid past as the Irish took to the mat in 1940 and were formidable from the start, competing in the Chattanooga YMCA and Chattanooga Frye Institute tournaments (1940-1948), followed by three years in the old Mid-South Conference (1949-1951) and a familiar face in the state tournament for nearly a half century.
Current head coach and wrestling alum John Mullin (who wrestled for David Held) returns nine starters, including three-time state medalist Tee Boone (143 career wins), to put the Irish in position for a run at a four-peat.
The Early Years and Key Figures
The First Team: Senior Sam Darras convinced the school principle to have varsity wrestling in the winter of 1940, recruited some football players, led the Irish to a team title and Notre Dame wrestling was on its way.
"We had no wrestling mats at school so the YMCA on Cherry Street let us practice and shower there which was a great help," said Darras, a 1992 inductee into the school's Hall of Fame, known as the Hall of Thunder. "Sam did a great job of recruiting wrestlers and we had a pretty good team," said Frank Jackson who wrestled in 1940, along with YMCA champ Frank Hubbuch and two who died during World War II, Mike Amar and Ogie Martin.
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But Darras, born to Greek immigrant parents, wrestled first with the language barrier before winning YMCA city mat titles in 1938 (unattached) and 1940.
NCAA Wrestling Champion Joey Davis, Notre Dame College
Rivalries and Championships
"There wasn't anything else like it." The 1968 meeting was a classic as coaches Nick Bratcher (Notre Dame) and Joe Drennen (Father Ryan) faced off with undefeated teams at Notre Dame. Ryan rallied from 11 points down to even the score at 19, but defending state champ Whatley pinned Phil Mattingly in the final match for a resounding 24-19 triumph. Four weeks later, Notre Dame had its first state crown.
In 1969, Mattingly stayed off his back in a re-match with Whatley and Ryan escaped with a 20-19 triumph. A frustrated Whatley kicked the Ryan heavyweight, which set off a near riot. Ryan went on to claim its first of nine traditional titles a few weeks later.
Current Ryan head coach Pat Simpson recalls watching his first Notre Dame-Father Ryan match as a seventh grader.
"The 1969 match at Ryan was the single greatest high school match I have ever witnessed," said Simpson who would defeat his Notre Dame opponent as a sophomore (1972) and senior (1974).
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The two schools continued to corner the market on state championships, alternating titles in 1970 (Notre Dame coached by Schaack Van Deusen) and 1971 (Father Ryan coached by Drennen).
The squads will meet this season - but on a Friday (Jan.
Notable Wrestlers
The names are legendary. Martin Francis, "Pistol" Pez Whatley, Doc Hodges and Jim Phifer. Add Ken Mara, David Weeks, James Jabaley, Chris Mullins and Jay Adamson to form part of a prestigious Notre Dame wrestling honor roll.
Joey Davis
St. Davis finished his true freshman season with 33 victories and no defeats and an NCAA title at 165 pounds. In May 2016, Davis competed at the annual Beat The Streets event, named Salsa in the Square. He faced three-time NCAA Division I Champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer.
Davis made his professional debut at an 175-pound catchweight bout against Keith Cutrone on August 26, 2016, at Bellator 160. Davis faced Justin Roswell on August 25, 2017, at Bellator 182 (a year later his previous bout). Davis faced Ian Butler on January 20, 2018, at Bellator 192. Davis faced Craig Plaskett on June 29, 2018, at Bellator 201. Davis was scheduled to face Jesse Merritton on March 29, 2019, at Bellator 219. However, Merritton withdrew from the event and was replaced by Marcus Anthony. Davis faced Jeff Peterson on October 9, 2019, at Bellator 229. Davis faced Chris Cisneros on December 20, 2019, at Bellator 235.
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Joey Davis suffered his first loss in Bellator 293 comeback on April 1, 2023.
Joey Davis Career Highlights
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| High School Career | Standout at Santa Fe High School, multiple wrestling titles |
| College Career | Four-time NCAA Division II Champion, undefeated season |
| Professional Debut | August 26, 2016, at Bellator 160 |
What though the odds be great or small, Old Notre Dame will win over all, While her loyal sons aremarching Onward to victory!