Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
When John Verdes won an OAC Championship and was named an All-American in 1987, he capped off his career as a Student Prince wrestler with one of the best seasons in school history.
The three-year letterman from Vandalia recorded an undefeated regular season in 1987, finishing it off with an OAC title and All-American status. His final record for that season stood at 26-2, which places him 5th in Heidelberg history for winning percentage in a season.
Verdes was a champion of both the Heidelberg Invitational and Mount Union Invitational while also being named team captain for both the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Verdes is one of only twelve wrestlers in Heidelberg history to be named an All-American, and was the first to earn the honor.
After Heidelberg he has pursued a career with the Department of Administrative Services IT Department for the state of Ohio, where he has worked for 25 years. Verdes has been awarded the Superior Accomplishment Award four times during his time there.
Verdes currently resides in Powell, Ohio with his wife Shelley as well has his daughter Libby and son Joey.
(This profile appeared in the 2014 Hall of Fame program.)
