Kenny Courts
Accomplishments: This Central Dauphin standout was a beast his final three years in a Rams singlet. Courts built a record of 132-6 from his sophomore season to graduation after returning from a knee injury. He captured three District 3-AAA titles (2009-2011) and was a three-time state medalist. The fast-moving and slick Courts finished second as a sophomore to Hempfield Area's Jake Kemmerer before winning back-to-back state titles.
Did you know: It's hard to say what Courts' final numbers would have been if not for a knee injury he suffered at the 2007 Beast of the East Tournament. Still, he won the prestigious event as a 135-pound freshman — he was seeded fifth — by fall over Joe Lospinoso, of David Brearley, in the finals. He won the event again as a junior. Courts is continuing his wrestling career at Ohio State, where he is ranked eighth in the country at 184.
Why here: When you saw Courts for the first time as a freshman, you knew you were watching one of the best wrestlers to come through District 3 in the modern era. He was a combination of power and speed, technically sound and worked hard at his craft. If not for the injury that snuffed out his freshman season, he may be a three-time PIAA champion. Still, Courts stormed back to win three district titles in three weight classes and become a two-time state champion. The Rams star also gets bonus consideration for taking down Kemmerer in his 2009 PIAA finals loss, in that many speculate is the first time the Hempfield Area standout was taken down all season. Courts' work ethic, mat smarts, ability and attention to detail warrant his position on this list.
What they said: “Kenny worked extremely hard to come back from that injury and was one of the quickest wrestlers, speed wise, on his feet that I've ever coached. He was also a great individual as a person.” — Jeff Sweigard, head wrestling coach at Central Dauphin high school.
(Agree or disagree, take the interactive poll. Leave any additional thoughts in the comments section below the story. Special thanks to Rod Frisco and Jim Carlson for help with this series, as well as Tom Elling's Pennsylvania Wrestling Handbook, which has been an instrumental tool in gathering statistics).