Fairfield High School
Class of 1994
When Willie Wineberg walked off the mat at St. John’s Arena in 1994, having defeated St. Xavier’s Shawn Rockey for the 125-pound state wrestling title, he had accomplished what no other Southwestern Ohio wrestler had achieved. Four straight state championships! In the 10 years since, no one from the Cincinnati area has come close.
Wineberg, who at the time was the first Division I wrestler to win four straight championships, is the first wrestler to be inducted into the LaRosa’s Hall of Fame, and a rare first-ballot inductee. He was named LaRosa’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1994. In four seasons at Fairfield, Wineberg compiled an incredible 144-2 record and won his last 118 matches in a row.
The honors that poured in demonstrated the magnitude of his accomplishment.
Willie was named a member of the High School All-America Dream Team; he was selected for the Ronald L. Garrison Award, emblematic of the USA High School Wrestler of the Year. He was named Wrestler of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Post and Hamilton Journal four straight years.
As an amateur, he competed throughout the world. He was USA Cadet National Champion, placed 10 th in the Cadet World Championships and finished 7 th in the Junior Nationals All-American meet.
Willie, who also ran cross-country for the Indians for three years and compiled a 3.87 GPA, wrestled collegiately at Purdue University where he ranks third all-time in career winning percentage. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Wineberg was a four-time Big Ten and NCAA All-Academic All-American as well. He went on to be Pan Pacific Game champion and USA Espoir National champion.
Wineberg, currently living in Miamisburg, teaches and is the head wrestling coach at Miamisburg High School.
Wrestling Gear
