Rick Worel is the first member of the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame to be selected because of wrestling ability. He was a multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer, baseball and football, but his wrestling accomplishments are outstanding. For three consecutive years, Worel won the award for Most Pins. Twice he was named Napa High’s Most Valuable Wrestler and twice he was wrestling team captain. In his senior year, Worel finished second at the California State Wrestling meet, suffering his only loss of the season in the final match. Worel finished his career at Napa High with a 94 win, 10 loss, 1 tie career record. He went 40-1 as a senior. He continued his career at Palomar Junior College, where he finished first at the California Junior College Championships his first year while placing second the following year. His two-year record at Palomar was 52 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. His record at Palomar earned him a spot on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team and he wrestled there for two years. In 1980, Worel was the top-ranked collegiate wrestler in the nation in the 177-pound class. He had a record of 56 wins and 8 losses at Cal Poly.
