Inaugural State Championships
Who are the best pullers in the state? Up until the late 1960s, few tournaments were organized to help answer this question. However once wristwrestling was exposed to the masses through national television coverage of the Petaluma World Wristwrestling Championships, the sport quickly started to become organized across the country. While only a handful of states had held a state championship prior to 1970, by 1980 almost all had held one, and many were holding them on an annual basis.
So which states can be considered “early adopters”, and which ones took a bit longer to discover our great sport? The following is a list of the first known armwrestling or wristwrestling championship held for each state. Two things must be noted. First, the year of the first state championship is not necessarily the first year an organized tournament was held in the state. In many cases, regional, county, or city championships were held for several years before a “state championship” was first organized. Heck, some states were even holding "national" or "world" championships before they first held a state championship. Second, this list is based on information I’ve been able to find in old newspaper articles, newsletters, and personal accounts. I am certain that it is not completely accurate. If you are aware of an earlier state championship, please let me know.
Who are the best pullers in the state? Up until the late 1960s, few tournaments were organized to help answer this question. However once wristwrestling was exposed to the masses through national television coverage of the Petaluma World Wristwrestling Championships, the sport quickly started to become organized across the country. While only a handful of states had held a state championship prior to 1970, by 1980 almost all had held one, and many were holding them on an annual basis.
So which states can be considered “early adopters”, and which ones took a bit longer to discover our great sport? The following is a list of the first known armwrestling or wristwrestling championship held for each state. Two things must be noted. First, the year of the first state championship is not necessarily the first year an organized tournament was held in the state. In many cases, regional, county, or city championships were held for several years before a “state championship” was first organized. Heck, some states were even holding "national" or "world" championships before they first held a state championship. Second, this list is based on information I’ve been able to find in old newspaper articles, newsletters, and personal accounts. I am certain that it is not completely accurate. If you are aware of an earlier state championship, please let me know.
1948
Vermont
Event Name: Vermont State Wrist-Twisting Championship
Date: November 7th, 1948
Location: Burlington, VT
Champion: Chet Baker (open weight)
Event Name: Vermont State Wrist-Twisting Championship
Date: November 7th, 1948
Location: Burlington, VT
Champion: Chet Baker (open weight)
1958
California
Event Name: California Wristwrestling Championship
Date: January 24th, 1958
Location: Petaluma, CA
Champion: Earl Hagerman (open weight)
Arizona
Event Name: Arizona State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 5th, 1958
Location: Tucson, AZ
Champion: Bob Knight (open weight)
Event Name: California Wristwrestling Championship
Date: January 24th, 1958
Location: Petaluma, CA
Champion: Earl Hagerman (open weight)
Arizona
Event Name: Arizona State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 5th, 1958
Location: Tucson, AZ
Champion: Bob Knight (open weight)
1960
Oregon
Event Name: Oregon State Arm Wrestling Championships
Champions: Jim Gillette (lightweight)
Event Name: Oregon State Arm Wrestling Championships
Champions: Jim Gillette (lightweight)
1961
Maryland
Event Name: Maryland State Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: November 4th, 1961
Location: Baltimore, MD
Champions:
Bernard Trout (148 lbs)
Ronald Johnson (165 lbs)
William Sexton (181 lbs)
David Bland (199+ lbs)
Event Name: Maryland State Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: November 4th, 1961
Location: Baltimore, MD
Champions:
Bernard Trout (148 lbs)
Ronald Johnson (165 lbs)
William Sexton (181 lbs)
David Bland (199+ lbs)
1965
New York
Event Name: New York State Open Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 14th, 1965
Location: Elmira, NY
Champions:
Robert Jolley (lightweight)
Roger Jolley (middleweight)
Ben Jolley (heavyweight)
Event Name: New York State Open Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 14th, 1965
Location: Elmira, NY
Champions:
Robert Jolley (lightweight)
Roger Jolley (middleweight)
Ben Jolley (heavyweight)
1967
Texas
Event Name: Texas Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: April 22nd, 1967
Location: Austin, TX
Event Name: Texas Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: April 22nd, 1967
Location: Austin, TX
1968
Washington
Event Name: Washington State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Seattle, WA
Event Name: Washington State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Seattle, WA
1969
New Hampshire
Event Name: New Hampshire Wrist Wrestling Championship
Date: June 29th, 1969
Location: Nashua, NH
Champions:
Norman Levesque (165 lbs)
David Dean (198 lbs)
Bruce Chambers (199+ lbs)
Virginia
Event Name: Virginia State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Hopewell, VA
Champions:
Steve Stanaway (200 lbs)
Event Name: New Hampshire Wrist Wrestling Championship
Date: June 29th, 1969
Location: Nashua, NH
Champions:
Norman Levesque (165 lbs)
David Dean (198 lbs)
Bruce Chambers (199+ lbs)
Virginia
Event Name: Virginia State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Hopewell, VA
Champions:
Steve Stanaway (200 lbs)
1970
Alaska
Event Name: Alaska State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: March 21st, 1970
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Michigan
Event Name: Michigan Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: August 29th, 1970
Location: Mount Clemens, MI
Champions: Neil Thomas (Heavyweight)
Event Name: Alaska State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: March 21st, 1970
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Michigan
Event Name: Michigan Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: August 29th, 1970
Location: Mount Clemens, MI
Champions: Neil Thomas (Heavyweight)
1971
North Carolina
Event Name: North Carolina State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: September 4th, 1971
Location: Durham, NC
Champions: Joe Grooms (161-180 lbs)
Massachusetts
Event Name: Massachusetts Wristwrestling Championships
Date: May 6th, 1971
Location: Boston, MA
Champions: Bobby Ayotte (lightweight)
Event Name: North Carolina State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: September 4th, 1971
Location: Durham, NC
Champions: Joe Grooms (161-180 lbs)
Massachusetts
Event Name: Massachusetts Wristwrestling Championships
Date: May 6th, 1971
Location: Boston, MA
Champions: Bobby Ayotte (lightweight)
1972
Illinois
Event Name: Illinois State Wristwrestling Championships
Date: April 22nd, 1972
Location: Peoria, IL
Kansas
Event Name: Kansas State Arm Wrestling Tournament
Date: September 9th, 1972
Location: Hutchinson, KS
Champions:
Jerry Kroeker (lightweight)
Ron Haag (middleweight)
Bill Engelland (light heavyweight)
Salvador Serbin (heavyweight)
Event Name: Illinois State Wristwrestling Championships
Date: April 22nd, 1972
Location: Peoria, IL
Kansas
Event Name: Kansas State Arm Wrestling Tournament
Date: September 9th, 1972
Location: Hutchinson, KS
Champions:
Jerry Kroeker (lightweight)
Ron Haag (middleweight)
Bill Engelland (light heavyweight)
Salvador Serbin (heavyweight)
1973
Maine
Event Name: Maine State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: April 14th, 1973
Location: Belfast, ME
Champions:
David Thompson (0-175 lbs)
John Davis (176-225 lbs)
Bruce Chambers (226+ lbs)
Idaho
Event Name: Idaho State Open Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 27th, 1973
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Champions:
Tom Elam (under 200 lbs)
Mickey Rice (200+ lbs)
Alma Morrison (50 years and over)
Norm Cochrane (18 years and under)
New Jersey
Event Name: New Jersey Wrist Wrestling Championship
Date: September 22nd, 1973
Location: Lincroft, NJ
Ohio
Event Name: Ohio State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: October 27th, 1973
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Champions: Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
Kentucky
Event Name: Kentucky State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Florence, KY
Champions: Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
Event Name: Maine State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: April 14th, 1973
Location: Belfast, ME
Champions:
David Thompson (0-175 lbs)
John Davis (176-225 lbs)
Bruce Chambers (226+ lbs)
Idaho
Event Name: Idaho State Open Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 27th, 1973
Location: Twin Falls, ID
Champions:
Tom Elam (under 200 lbs)
Mickey Rice (200+ lbs)
Alma Morrison (50 years and over)
Norm Cochrane (18 years and under)
New Jersey
Event Name: New Jersey Wrist Wrestling Championship
Date: September 22nd, 1973
Location: Lincroft, NJ
Ohio
Event Name: Ohio State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: October 27th, 1973
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Champions: Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
Kentucky
Event Name: Kentucky State Arm Wrestling Championships
Location: Florence, KY
Champions: Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
1974
Utah
Event Name: Utah State Wristwrestling Championship
Date: July 13, 1974
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Champions:
Stan Robles (0-150 lbs)
Ed Pitt (151-175 lbs)
James Rawson (176-200 lbs)
Monroe Rivers (201+ lbs)
Georgia
Event Name: Georgia State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: Summer 1974
Location: Brunswick, GA
Champions:
Victor Paul (0-150 lbs)
Larry Dozier (151-165 lbs)
James Nipper (166-180 lbs)
Howard Kicklighter (181-200 lbs)
Harry Myers (201+ lbs)
Montana
Event Name: Montana State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: Summer 1974
Location: Billings, MT
West Virginia
Event Name: West Virginia Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: September 14th, 1974
Location: Sistersville, WV
South Carolina
Event Name: South Carolina Arm Wrestling Championships
Event Name: Utah State Wristwrestling Championship
Date: July 13, 1974
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Champions:
Stan Robles (0-150 lbs)
Ed Pitt (151-175 lbs)
James Rawson (176-200 lbs)
Monroe Rivers (201+ lbs)
Georgia
Event Name: Georgia State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: Summer 1974
Location: Brunswick, GA
Champions:
Victor Paul (0-150 lbs)
Larry Dozier (151-165 lbs)
James Nipper (166-180 lbs)
Howard Kicklighter (181-200 lbs)
Harry Myers (201+ lbs)
Montana
Event Name: Montana State Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: Summer 1974
Location: Billings, MT
West Virginia
Event Name: West Virginia Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: September 14th, 1974
Location: Sistersville, WV
South Carolina
Event Name: South Carolina Arm Wrestling Championships
1975
Wyoming
Event Name: Wyoming Professional Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: May 24th, 1975
Location: Casper, WY
Champions:
Jerry Heitzman (0-160lbs)
Beau Zunker (161-185 lbs)
Bill Sherman (186-210 lbs)
Joe Ujvary (211+ lbs)
Vickie Vodon (Women's Open)
Pennsylvania
Event Name: Pennsylvania Open Invitational Arm-Wrestling Championships
Date: August 23rd, 1975
Location: Ellwood City, PA
Champions:
Donald Rohn (0-145 lbs)
Walter Finkbeiner (146-165 lbs)
Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
Michael White (186-200 lbs)
Dave Moritza (201-242 lbs)
Frank Marcinek (243+ lbs)
Alene Motz (women)
Nevada
Event Name: Nevada State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: August 24, 1975
Iowa
Event Name: Iowa State Wristwrestling Championships
Date: September 20th, 1975
Location: Brooklyn, IA
Champions:
Steve Swisher (0-150 lbs)
Mark Gadbury (151-175 lbs)
Mike Meade (176-200 lbs)
Michael Minde (201+ lbs)
Mildred Choplick (women)
Oklahoma
Event Name: Oklahoma State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 1, 1975
Location: Hobart, OK
Event Name: Wyoming Professional Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: May 24th, 1975
Location: Casper, WY
Champions:
Jerry Heitzman (0-160lbs)
Beau Zunker (161-185 lbs)
Bill Sherman (186-210 lbs)
Joe Ujvary (211+ lbs)
Vickie Vodon (Women's Open)
Pennsylvania
Event Name: Pennsylvania Open Invitational Arm-Wrestling Championships
Date: August 23rd, 1975
Location: Ellwood City, PA
Champions:
Donald Rohn (0-145 lbs)
Walter Finkbeiner (146-165 lbs)
Lanny Julian (166-185 lbs)
Michael White (186-200 lbs)
Dave Moritza (201-242 lbs)
Frank Marcinek (243+ lbs)
Alene Motz (women)
Nevada
Event Name: Nevada State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: August 24, 1975
Iowa
Event Name: Iowa State Wristwrestling Championships
Date: September 20th, 1975
Location: Brooklyn, IA
Champions:
Steve Swisher (0-150 lbs)
Mark Gadbury (151-175 lbs)
Mike Meade (176-200 lbs)
Michael Minde (201+ lbs)
Mildred Choplick (women)
Oklahoma
Event Name: Oklahoma State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 1, 1975
Location: Hobart, OK
1976
North Dakota
Event Name: North Dakota State Armwrestling Championship
Date: February 5th, 1976
Location: Minot, ND
Colorado
Event Name: WPAA Colorado State Armwrestling Championships
Date: May 29th, 1976
Location: Denver, CO
Nebraska
Event Name: Nebraska State Wristwrestling Championship
Date: September 5th, 1976
Location: Creighton, NE
Wisconsin
Event Name: Wisconsin State Open Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: October 10th, 1976
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Tennessee
Event Name: Tennessee State Arm-Wrestling Championship
Location: Jackson, TN
Champions:
R. C. Latham (Lightweight)
Ronnie McCadams (Middleweight)
Raymond Merritt (Heavyweight)
Mike Stark (Super Heavyweight)
Event Name: North Dakota State Armwrestling Championship
Date: February 5th, 1976
Location: Minot, ND
Colorado
Event Name: WPAA Colorado State Armwrestling Championships
Date: May 29th, 1976
Location: Denver, CO
Nebraska
Event Name: Nebraska State Wristwrestling Championship
Date: September 5th, 1976
Location: Creighton, NE
Wisconsin
Event Name: Wisconsin State Open Wrist Wrestling Championships
Date: October 10th, 1976
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Tennessee
Event Name: Tennessee State Arm-Wrestling Championship
Location: Jackson, TN
Champions:
R. C. Latham (Lightweight)
Ronnie McCadams (Middleweight)
Raymond Merritt (Heavyweight)
Mike Stark (Super Heavyweight)
1977
Indiana
Event Name: Indiana State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: February 12th, 1977
Champions: Jim Rieley (186-200 lbs)
Louisiana
Event Name: WPAA Louisiana State Armwrestling Championships
Date: March 12th, 1977
Location: Shreveport, LA
Champions: Phil Wilson (210 lbs)
South Dakota
Event Name: South Dakota Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 16th, 1977
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Champions:
Larry Wittenhagen (0-160 lbs)
Charlie Steenstra (161-185 lbs)
Richard Leepkef (186-210 lbs)
Randy Nelson (211+ lbs)
Ruth Taylor (women)
Arkansas
Event Name: WPAA Arkansas State Armwrestling Championships
Champions:
Rod Alberts (0-160 lbs)
Chris Henderson (161-185 lbs)
Dave Barnoski (186-210 lbs)
Paul Barnett (211+ lbs)
Rose Frabotta (women 0-145 lbs)
Phyllis Harp (women 146+ lbs)
Florida
Event Name: WPAA Florida State Armwrestling Championships
Date: August 6th, 1977
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Champions:
Bill Berry (0-160 lbs)
Charlie Stott (161-185 lbs)
Hoyt Driggers (186-210 lbs)
Rick Viars (211+ lbs)
Betty Spikes (women 0-145 lbs, 146+ lbs)
Mississippi
Event Name: Mississippi State Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: August 13th, 1977
Location: Iuka, MS
Hawaii
Event Name: WPAA Hawaii State Armwrestling Championships
Champions:
Arcady Maxilom (0-160 lbs)
Rhett Baron (161-185 lbs)
Monte Moore (186-210 lbs)
Homer Keanu (211+ lbs)
Debbie Parker (women 0-145 lbs)
Claire Labra (women 146+ lbs)
Missouri
Event Name: Missouri State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 26th, 1977
Location: St. Louis, MO
Event Name: Indiana State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: February 12th, 1977
Champions: Jim Rieley (186-200 lbs)
Louisiana
Event Name: WPAA Louisiana State Armwrestling Championships
Date: March 12th, 1977
Location: Shreveport, LA
Champions: Phil Wilson (210 lbs)
South Dakota
Event Name: South Dakota Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: April 16th, 1977
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Champions:
Larry Wittenhagen (0-160 lbs)
Charlie Steenstra (161-185 lbs)
Richard Leepkef (186-210 lbs)
Randy Nelson (211+ lbs)
Ruth Taylor (women)
Arkansas
Event Name: WPAA Arkansas State Armwrestling Championships
Champions:
Rod Alberts (0-160 lbs)
Chris Henderson (161-185 lbs)
Dave Barnoski (186-210 lbs)
Paul Barnett (211+ lbs)
Rose Frabotta (women 0-145 lbs)
Phyllis Harp (women 146+ lbs)
Florida
Event Name: WPAA Florida State Armwrestling Championships
Date: August 6th, 1977
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Champions:
Bill Berry (0-160 lbs)
Charlie Stott (161-185 lbs)
Hoyt Driggers (186-210 lbs)
Rick Viars (211+ lbs)
Betty Spikes (women 0-145 lbs, 146+ lbs)
Mississippi
Event Name: Mississippi State Arm Wrestling Championship
Date: August 13th, 1977
Location: Iuka, MS
Hawaii
Event Name: WPAA Hawaii State Armwrestling Championships
Champions:
Arcady Maxilom (0-160 lbs)
Rhett Baron (161-185 lbs)
Monte Moore (186-210 lbs)
Homer Keanu (211+ lbs)
Debbie Parker (women 0-145 lbs)
Claire Labra (women 146+ lbs)
Missouri
Event Name: Missouri State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: November 26th, 1977
Location: St. Louis, MO
1978
Minnesota
Event Name: Minnesota State Armwrestling Championship
Date: February 5th, 1978
Location: Duluth, MN
Champions: Becky Marlin (women)
Event Name: Minnesota State Armwrestling Championship
Date: February 5th, 1978
Location: Duluth, MN
Champions: Becky Marlin (women)
1979
Rhode Island
Event Name: AAA Rhode Island State Championships
Location: East Greenwich, RI
1982
Connecticut
Event Name: AAA Connecticut State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: August 1st, 1982
Location: Norwich, CT
Champions:
Brian Renshaw (0-150 lbs)
James Couter (151-175 lbs)
Dana McFee (176-200 lbs)
George Maher (201-225 lbs)
David Norell (226+ lbs)
Sandra McCarthy (women lightweight)
Sue Choweka (women heavyweight)
New Mexico
Event Name: New Mexico State Arm Wrestling Championships
Champions: James David Owens (weight class unknown)
Event Name: AAA Connecticut State Arm Wrestling Championships
Date: August 1st, 1982
Location: Norwich, CT
Champions:
Brian Renshaw (0-150 lbs)
James Couter (151-175 lbs)
Dana McFee (176-200 lbs)
George Maher (201-225 lbs)
David Norell (226+ lbs)
Sandra McCarthy (women lightweight)
Sue Choweka (women heavyweight)
New Mexico
Event Name: New Mexico State Arm Wrestling Championships
Champions: James David Owens (weight class unknown)
1989
Alabama
Event Name: AAA Alabama State Championship
Date: January 14th, 1989
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Champions:
Charles Weems (0-135 lbs)
David Gosdin (136-150 lbs)
Glenn Presley (151-165 lbs)
Cole Nabors (166-185 lbs)
Johnny Walker (186-200 lbs)
Danny Stone (201+ lbs)
Linda Dudley (women 0-120 lbs)
Rhonda Lindley (women 121-140 lbs)
Deborah Pope (women 141+ lbs)
Glenn Presley (left 0-165 lbs)
Ron Bath (left 166+ lbs)
Event Name: AAA Alabama State Championship
Date: January 14th, 1989
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Champions:
Charles Weems (0-135 lbs)
David Gosdin (136-150 lbs)
Glenn Presley (151-165 lbs)
Cole Nabors (166-185 lbs)
Johnny Walker (186-200 lbs)
Danny Stone (201+ lbs)
Linda Dudley (women 0-120 lbs)
Rhonda Lindley (women 121-140 lbs)
Deborah Pope (women 141+ lbs)
Glenn Presley (left 0-165 lbs)
Ron Bath (left 166+ lbs)
1998
Delaware
Event Name: Delaware State Armwrestling Championships
Date: April 18th, 1998
Location: Wilmington, DE
Champions:
Dave Lynn (Right 0-154 lbs)
Cobra Rhodes (Right 155-176 lbs, Right 199-220 lbs)
Bill Brzenk (Right 177-198 lbs)
Jerry Cadorette (Right 221+ lbs, Left 199+ lbs)
Chrissy Baliko (Women’s Right 0-132 lbs)
Barb Zalepa (Women’s Right 133+ lbs)
Dave Patton (Left 0-176 lbs)
Frank Travisano (Left 177-198 lbs)
Event Name: Delaware State Armwrestling Championships
Date: April 18th, 1998
Location: Wilmington, DE
Champions:
Dave Lynn (Right 0-154 lbs)
Cobra Rhodes (Right 155-176 lbs, Right 199-220 lbs)
Bill Brzenk (Right 177-198 lbs)
Jerry Cadorette (Right 221+ lbs, Left 199+ lbs)
Chrissy Baliko (Women’s Right 0-132 lbs)
Barb Zalepa (Women’s Right 133+ lbs)
Dave Patton (Left 0-176 lbs)
Frank Travisano (Left 177-198 lbs)
Researched and Compiled by: Eric Roussin