*CHARLIE RIDENOUR, Penn State ’43, a State College native, was a PA state champion at 115 in 1939. He became a three-time EIWA champion at 121 for Penn State (1941-1943), named Outstanding Wrestler as a junior. As a sophomore at NCAAs, he was the highest point scorer, winning 17-5 and 14-11 before losing, 9-7, to the runner-up. In 1942 he placed 3rd with the most falls (3) and lost only to runner-up Malcolm McDonald. Malcolm succeeded him as a three-time EIWA champion at 121; one of Charlie’s falls came against a future NCAA champion.  Charlie missed his senior NCAAs due to World War II, serving in 1944-46.

      He was a 1948 Olympic Team finalist after winning two National AAU titles, beating NCAA champion, Dick Hauser, to end his 95-bout amateur win streak. He assisted at Penn State before becoming head coach at Penn from 1952-61. Charlie coached one year at Lock Haven before retiring to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and passed away in 1970.