Dave Edinger - Collingswood & Overbrook
Dave Edinger, a graduate of Pennsylvania wrestling power East Stroudsburg State College is in a large measure responsible for the growth and development of wrestling in South Jersey. In 1939 Dave initiated wrestling at Overbrook High School and later started the sport at Collingswood where he remained for many years. During that time he developed Collingswood into one of the prominent programs in New Jersey. Not only was Dave a succesful coach but he displayed consistant excellence as an official. Without a doubt he was the premier official in South Jersey working the most competitive matches and was selected repeatedly to officiate the District,Region and State Tournaments. Aware of the need to organize officials,Dave helped establish the Official's Association and served as the chairman of the South Jersey Officials and Coaches Association. Dave Edinger was Awarded the Harry E. Lake Award by the NJWOA in 1975 for his lifetime service to New Jersey Wrestling.
Roy Baker - Parsippany
Roy began his wrestling career under Gary Vittorio at Parsippany High School posting a record of 65-4. A 3 time Christmas Tournament Champion Roy won three District titles adding a Regional Crown in 1970 on his way to the State Heavyweight Championship. At the states he would face future Penn State All-American in the form of Charlie Getty of Pompton Lakes,a match that would see him outweighed by 60 lbs to the 6'5" Getty,who would later star for the Kansas City Chiefs. Roy handled both Getty and Greg Freaney to win the title inspite of being the smallest wrestler in the weight. An All-State football player,Roy would attend Temple University on a football Scholarship before transfering to the University of Delaware where he won the Wilkes Open,MAC and East Coast Championships at 190lbs.Freestyle wrestling would follow with two National titles and a PanAmerican Championship in San Juan in 1979. A member of the 1980 Olympic Team with fellow NJ great,Gene Mills,Roy would see his career end with the Boycott. Roy would go on to a career with the NJ State Troopers and in 1996 working with a special unit,Roy would suffer near fatal gunshot wounds in the breaking up of a major drug deal.For his courage in the line of duty he would recieve the Govenor's Award for heroism and the John Basilone Award for his actions as a Trooper.
