Rocha, Blood inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Guy Rocha and Bing Blood have given a lot of time to the sport of wrestling, and both are finally being recognized with an October induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Rocha and Blood, both Carson City residents, will be joined by Duane Loesch and Jim Lee Billingsley at a banquet at the Silver Legacy in Reno on Oct. 3.

The 57-year-old Rocha, a two-time Nevada wrestling champion at Clark High and coach at several Northern Nevada high schools, will be honored in the Outstanding American category, which recognizes his contributions not only to wrestling but his work as the state's archivist. He recently retired from government job.

"I was notified by e-mail," Rocha said. "There was some question whether I would get inducted on the first go around. It was a sense of validation. This is a crowning achievement.

"I thought of all the great wrestlers and coaches who had wonderful careers, and wondering whether I passed muster. ''

Blood said the honor is well deserved.

"He's like my brother," Blood said of Rocha. "He's a close friend. I remember both his state matches. He was an aggressive little guy. His dedication to the sport is awesome, too."

Rocha said that wrestling changed his life.

"There was a science teacher at John C. Fremont Junior High (Tom Deppe), and he would go down the hallways challenging young toughs to come out for the wrestling team," said Rocha. "A lot of guys couldn't hack it. I did. I had a successful ninth-grade year. At a YMCA tournament, I beat a junior and senior."

Rocha went on to Clark High School in Las Vegas, winning the state 106-pound crown as a junior and the 123-pound title as a senior.

Rocha moved on to Syracuse University where he compiled a 15-19-4 record, including the 1972 Rochester Institute of Technology invitational tournament. It was there that he met up again with Deppe - sort of.

"My junior year I found myself wrestling at Lehigh." Rocha said. As Rocha was entering the arena, there were photos of Lehigh wrestlers, and Rocha came face to face with a photo of his old junior high coach.

Rocha competed as a club wrestler until his early 40s. It's his unabashed love for the sport that keeps him involved with it.

Blood will be honored for his lifetime service to the sport. Blood helped start the Carson High wrestling program, and has been involved with the sport for 40 years as a coach, wrestler and official.

"I found out I'd been nominated in February or March," Blood said. "When I first read the letter (telling me I'd been selected) I was so choked up I couldn't even read it to my wife. It's a great honor. There are some great names out there.

Blood wrestled at Buchanan High in Michigan and then wrestled in the Marine Corp.

Blood, a barber by trade, came to Carson City in 1968, before the high school program started.

"Jim Coverly started it as an intramural program," Blood said. "I stayed with him for two years. Back in those days, you had to be a teacher (to be a head coach). I talked Cleo Pulsipher and by golly he stepped up. I had wrestling knowledge and I wanted to see the program get started."

In 1970, Blood remembers Carson only having a handful of kids come out for the team. That year six kids qualified for state and Carson finished fifth as a team.

Blood said it's his "love for the kids" that keeps him involved in the sport.

"It's just a great sport," Blood said.

Blood is a past president of the Northern Nevada Wrestling Officials and Coaches Association. He officiated 18 Class 2A and 3A championships in his career.

"I knew who he was as an official," Rocha said. "My relationship with him began as a coach at Carson High. Bing was always there, talking to kids and going on road trips. He's very deserving of this honor."

Billingsley guided Lowry to a dual meet record of 312-37, including six undefeated seasons. He coached Lowry to nine zone and state championships.

Loesch guided Valley High School in Las Vegas to an 82-11 dual meet record. From 1968 to 1974, his wrestlers won 51 straight dual meets and 18 tournaments. He coached three years at Clark High School.