WAYNE HICKS, Navy ‘66 was a two-time EIWA champion at 137 and won Outstanding Wrestler in 1966 after beating defending national champion, Billy Stuart. Stuart won his national title over Hicks, after Wayne beat the defending champion in the quarterfinals. The only Hicks EIWA finals loss in three entries was against Billy.  In 1966 Hicks edged Stuart for the Fletcher Award. Wayne was an undefeated two-time NJ state champion at Somerville High and outstanding wrestler. At Navy he won two Wilkes Open titles, OW both times. Hicks placed third at the 1971 U.S. World Team Trials, tying future Olympic champion John Peterson.

      An aircraft carrier navigator in the Navy, Wayne then assisted Ed Peery on two EIWA title teams (1972, 1974). He spent many years as volunteer coach for area programs, including the USNA, Navy Junior Wrestling and St. Mary’s High School, his recent avocation. In 2002, Hicks entered the Maryland Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Service.