Brown and Chappa shatter wrestling records
by Steve Ottman Falls News Correspondent
During their four-year varsity careers, Sheboygan Falls Falcon wrestlers Nathan Brown and Ben Chappa finished at the top, shattering almost every career record for the Sheboygan Falls wrestling program.
Brown and Chappa started on the varsity team as freshman and finished their careers with a fourth consecutive trip to the WIAA Division 2 Individual State Championships this year.
Brown (149-31 overall) and Chappa (130-18 overall) finished their stellar careers first and second in overall victories in program history, breaking the record of 126 wins set by Joshua Hammen in 2009.
In the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, Chappa was unbeaten over four years at 36-0, with four conference titles and Brown was 37-3, with three titles and a second-place finish.
Both wrestlers were four-time regional champions. Brown was a two-time sectional champ (2007 and 2010) and Chappa was a titlelist in 2010.
Chappa finished fourth at state in 2009 and was crowed a state champion in the Division 2 152-pound weight class in 2010. Brown took sixth place at state in 2008.
“Every career stat was shattered,” said Falcons wrestling coach Fred Brown. “These two individuals dedicated themselves to whatever they could do for the team.
“It was nothing less than an honor to have their experience in this sport,” he said.
Coach Brown also stated that both wrestlers provided a positive influence on the Falls wrestling program.
“As leaders and captains, they set high goals and a willingness to improve the team,” explained Brown. “They showed maturity and dealt with great pressure.”
Altogether, Brown and Chappa wrestled 328 matches, since their freshman year.
Brown set records in team points with 741, topping Hammen’s 631, scored 359 takedowns, overtaking Nick Jens (2005-08), with 215.
Brown also holds the single-season win mark with 45 and takedowns with 111.
Chappa tied Zach Kattner (2005-08) for career pins with 66. Although records haven’t been kept, Chappa most likely set a record for total technical-fall victories.
When the leader boards are presented at the wrestling banquet later this month, Brown and Chappa will be at the top of many categories.
Coach Brown pointed out that the two athletes were equally impressive in the classroom.
“In the past seven years, over half of our team has been on the honor roll,” stated Brown. “We not only have better wrestlers, they’re better students also. They have maintained high academics and great performances on the mat.”
