April 2022

A few weeks ago, Pat Mundy contacted me to see if I knew the name of the Carver High School wrestler who beat him in the semi finals of the 175-pound weight class of the MSA interscholastic tourney. He wanted to try to locate him and reminisce about the match. Since I was one of the team managers, I was able to identify him as Cal Matthews. He was Carver’s star wrestler, who had pinned all of his opponents in the first period. According to Pat, “Had lost too much weight and, despite Frank Riggs’ urgings, never lifted any weights.” Fortunately, Gilman secured the MSA championship when a Carver wrestler pinned his Mervo opponent in the unlimited finals. Interestingly, Matthews lost his finals bout to one of Pat’s nemeses from McDonogh, John Keener, in a stunning upset. This had been the first year the MSA had been integrated, creating a new and improved landscape for high school sports. How great it was to have been present at the very beginning! Pat, I hope you were able to locate Cal.

reported by Frank Gluck '57