Gary Mayfield
Accomplishments: Mayfield cemented his place as one of the best wrestlers in Hanover wrestling history by building a career record of 165-12. The Nighthawks ace also excelled in the postseason. He is one of 10 wrestlers to win four district titles, and he added two Southeast Regional tallies to his long resume. More impressive was Mayfield's performance at the state level. He was a four-time placer over two weight classes — 106 his first three years and 112 as a senior — and captured the 2004 Class AA title to cap his high school career.
Did you know: As good as Mayfield was, he suffered six losses in his state wrestling career, which might have people wince over this selection. Don't. Mayfield's setbacks came against six competitors that accounted for 19 medals and three championships. Mayfield showed his tenacity by avenging his senior Southeast Regional loss to Wilson Area's Russ Souders — “It was the worst match of my wrestling career,” he told the Hanover Evening Sun — by beating him in the state finals 6-2.
Why here: There are wrestling fans and people within the sport that feel this should be a list exclusive to Class AAA competition. We're not going to deny that, overall, the higher class is deeper and better, but there are a number of Class AA that are deserving of making this grade. Mayfield was not only tough, he wasted little time making his mark. Not only was he a four-time district champion and four-time state placer that captured championship gold, he was the all-time leader in wins (165) and pins (110) for District 3 when he graduated in 2004. Those are numbers that can't be ignored no matter what the classification.
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