Walter White III said he knew his son could be a special wrestler when he won an Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation state championship as a 10-year-old. What impressed White the most was that his son, Walter White IV, won the state title in a division against 11- and 12-year-olds.
The younger Walter White would go on to win that division two more times and he won five state championships as a youth wrestler. Walter White III said only two other youth wrestlers in state history have won five IKWF titles.
Walter White IV, who uses his middle name of Isaiah on Oak Park-River Forest’s wrestling team, made school history on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the Class 3A state meet. The senior became OPRF’s first three-time state champion with an 11-3 victory over Lyons junior Johnny Mologousis (42-3) at 160 pounds.
Isaiah White’s previous state championships came at 152 pounds in 2015 and at 138 in 2014. Last season he joined a club of OPRF wrestlers who have two state titles: Sam Brooks (2010, 2012), Nick Dardanes (2009-10), Tim Obrochta (1983-84) and Terry Isaacson (1959-60).
Isaiah White (26-0) credited both his father and his uncle with his wrestling success. Walter White III was a state medalist of his own, placing third at 138 pounds in Class AA for Harlan in 1981.
Walter White III’s brother, David White, wrestled for Orr during his high school career, but never qualified for a state meet.
“My uncle would always tell me, ‘Move your feet,’ ” Isaiah White said. “That’s his thing.”
If Isaiah White’s father was not able to make it to a meet, his uncle would always be there, Isaiah White said.
“I am just along for the ride,” said Walter White III, who watched all of Isaiah White’s matches from the stands at the State Farm Center. “I taught him a few old school things I know, but when he reached high school, I turned him over to the Oak Park wrestling staff.”
Walter White III started Isaiah White in wrestling at age 7 while the family lived in Romeoville. Isaiah White competed for the Harvey Twisters club. The family moved to Oak Park when Isaiah White was in eighth grade to move closer to Walter White III’s job. He has been the supervisor for the Forest Park Post Office for the last 30 years.
“They were always hard on me. It’s tough love,” Isaiah White said of his dad and uncle when he was a youth wrestler. “They pushed me to get better. They make sure I get [to face] the best competition and have the best training partners [during the club season].”
OPRF coach Paul Collins said he predicted Isaiah White’s future success when he saw him as a freshman. Isaiah White finished third at state at 126 that year.
“I noticed his competitive drive,” Collins said. “He competes at a high level when the lights come on. The way he competes in the [wrestling] room and it’s obvious that he loves the big stage.”
Isaiah White became the second of three individual state champions this season for the Huskies, joining Jason Renteria (120) and Allen Stallings (220). Renteria and Stallings won their first state titles.
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OPRF had five finalists for the third consecutive year, but couldn’t match the haul of 2014 when the Huskies crowned four state champions. White was one of two champions in 2015, along with graduate Matthew Rundell at 160.
White picks Ohio State
Isaiah White verbally committed in the past month to Ohio State, which happens to be one of his dream schools.
“Ohio State has great coaches. I loved the coaches and I love it there,” White said. “Since I was young, I’ve watched their football team.”
White said he took an official visit to the Columbus, Ohio, campus and learned about its size. Ohio State ranks as one of the biggest schools in the country in terms of enrollment.
White said he also wanted to compete in the Big Ten. He records every weekly Big Ten match that airs on the Big Ten Network, including Ohio State’s matches, and goes back to watch those recordings regularly.
“I like to watch college wrestling,” White said. “Those guys are a lot stronger. Everyone is good. No one is overlooked.”
Led by coach Tom Ryan, Ohio State (10-3) is ranked No. 9 in the country.
Twitter @geomwilcox