The 2002-03 Wisconsin wrestling team is off to an impressive 9-1 start and is currently the No. 18 ranked team in the country. Much of the team’s success this season can be attributed to the outstanding individual performances of Kevin and Tony Black, wrestling at 133 and 125 pounds respectively.
The two brothers, each in their final year of eligibility, have been at the forefront of one of the greatest early-season surprises in the Big Ten, as well the country.
The Blacks and Wisconsin aren’t ready to pack it up and call it a season yet, however; with six conference duals remaining on their schedule before the Big Ten championships, which will be held in the UW Field House March 8-9, the team is still striving to reach a number of its goals before season’s end.
“If we step up and wrestle to our potential, I think that there’s going to be some people who are pretty surprised at the end of the year,” Kevin said. “We won’t be surprised … it’s kind of what we expect. We expect in March to be right there.”
Tony Black, like his brother Kevin, has high expectations for the remainder of the season and thinks that this year’s team could win out, subsequently making them the winningest team in school history.
“I think it’s very possible that we go 6-0 from here on out,” Tony said. “That means 15-1 … and the best season ever (in school history).”
The Blacks, both nationally ranked in their respective weight classes, are no strangers to accomplishments or records, however. Kevin finished his prep-wrestling career with an unblemished record of 160-0 and had compiled an overall record of 69-37 as a collegian coming into this season.
Tony, like Kevin, also enjoyed success while wrestling as a prep-star for River Falls High School; not only winning a state championship in his junior year, but in his senior year as well. Since becoming a Badger, Tony has compiled an overall record of 51-34 (this season notwithstanding) and has played an integral role in UW’s success this year.
The Black brothers have been wrestling together for as long as they can remember, but the relationship will remain close well beyond their days at UW, because Kevin and Tony are not only teammates, but roommates, brothers and friends as well.
“We don’t know any different … since day one we’ve gone to practice together and gone to tournaments together,” Tony said. “I never had to look for that real good friend when I got to college because I had one my whole life with Kevin.”
Kevin shared similar sentiments as Tony when asked about what it’s been like wrestling with his brother over the years.
“We know what we’ve been through since we were in kindergarten … all the ups and downs, the success we’ve had, what we’re capable of and we know how to handle adversity together, because we’ve been through it together,” Kevin said of his bond with Tony. “He’s just always been that person that’s been there since the beginning.”
Upon graduation, both Kevin and Tony plan on pursuing careers in education. Originally inspired by one of his elementary school teachers, Kevin plans on becoming a history teacher and wrestling coach one day.
“I’ve kind of always had hopes of becoming a teacher … starting when I was in about fourth grade, because I really liked my fourth-grade teacher,” Kevin said. “I’ll graduate with a history major and then hopefully get a teaching certificate within the next few years so I can teach and coach.”
Tony was actually the valedictorian of his high-school class and has been an Academic All-Big Ten selection each of the past two years. A kinesiology major, Tony plans on using his degree to help him pursue a career in physical education one day.
“When I graduate, I plan on being a Phys. Ed. teacher, hopefully high school, and a wrestling coach,” Tony said.
With his list of interests, coupled with his strong work ethic, Tony could likely teach a number of subjects, though.
“Personally, I think he’s the smartest person I’ve ever met,” Kevin said of his brother Tony. “He can do anything; he builds houses, he builds cars … he’s truly a jack of all trades.”
Drawing upon the strong work ethic and never-quit attitude that they originally demonstrated while on their family farm in River Falls, Kevin and Tony Black have earned the respect of not only the coaches, fans and wrestlers in the Big Ten, but the nation as well. Wrestlers like these don’t come around very often, and the opportunity to see them perform in the Badgers’ upcoming home duals will consequently be well worth the price of admission.