BILL OBERLY, Penn State
‘56 was a senior captain who competed for
renowned coach Charlie Spiedel at both 191 and heavyweight during
the EIWA’s greatest era. Oberly was placed EIWA third twice
and won a heavyweight title, while placing 3rd
nationally at 191 then first and third at heavyweight. He was an
NCAA champion in 1955 for his runner-up Nittany Lions and was their
second-ever three-time All-American. Among 48 career bouts were 10
vs. NCAA finalists.
During his three seasons at
Easterns, five conference wrestlers reached the national finals at
unlimited or 191. Facing frequent national rivals, Oberly’s
remarkable career mark was 22-4. Two of the losses came against
NCAA champions and the other two were to a finalist.
In 1955, Bill Oberly appeared on
the popular CBS Omnibus show to demonstrate the difference between
amateur and pro wrestling. On the show, he wrestled an exhibition
against Navy rival Pete Blair, a two-time NCAA Champion who
defeated Oberly at the 1954 NCAAs. Oberle’s brother Johnston
was a two-time EIWA champion in 1960-61 and placed 3rd and 4th
nationally.
