TODD REYNOLDS INTERVIEW


∙ 1977 - West York Wrestling's Todd Reynolds - WY Dual Career (32-7-3)

TODD REYNOLDS BIO


  ▪ West York Wrestling's Todd Reynolds... graduated in 1977.  Todd was a three-year letterman for the Bulldogs, and was a member of TWO YCIAA Wrestling Championship Teams in '74-'75 & '76-'77!  Todd's career varsity record (that he could find!) was 32-7-3.  Todd won the Curwensville Takedown Tourney in 1975 and also won the very tough West York Booster Club Summer Tournament in 1976.  Todd entered the York College Alumni Tournament in 1978 and 1979 and won the title both years!  Todd was also an assistant wrestling coach at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, FL for three years.

  Todd Reynolds graduated from the Baltimore Culinary School in 1980 and did a three-year apprenticeship at the very famous Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, WV.  Todd worked at the Scottsdale Princess and the Registry Resort in Scottsdale, AR, the Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC and the Gulfstream Golf Club in Delray Beach, FL.

  Todd Reynolds is now residing in Smithsburg, MD with his pretty wife Sharon... who works at a daycare facility (Sharon & Todd have been married for 20 years) and their two daughters - Chelsea (19) who will be attending Pittsburgh at Bradford University in August of 2010, and Kassidy (16) who is a sophomore at Smithsburg High School.


  Todd Reynolds is the Executive Chef at Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown, MD (since 1989).  Todd achieved his CEC (certified executive chef) title in 2002!  Todd loves sprint car racing and regularly travels to Williams Grove, PA Speedway to watch a relative - Cory Haas race!  Todd also travels to the Indy 500, college football bowls and is an avid Indianapolis Colts Football Fan!


 ∙ Don Lehman, owner and webmaster of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com asked Todd Reynolds for a Q & A interview, and Todd graciously accepted!

THE TODD REYNOLDS INTERVIEW
by:  Don Lehman
Don Lehman
Webmaster, Archivist & Owner of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com

DL - Todd, how is the job as executive chef at Fountain Head Country Club going these days?  Have you been busy during the off-season winter?
TR - Don, after January 1st... things start to slow down because of our Fountain Head CC members going to Florida.  The winter break gives me a chance to work on the Spring and Fall FHCC menus, and - to get the kitchen "cleaned" after a hectic December!
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - I want to thank you, again, for letting Coach JT Toggas, Jim Haas and myself join you for a round of golf at your facility last year.  (also - to your wife Sharon for her hospitality after the golf at your home)  Have you been out practicing hitting the ball since we last played? 
TR - No, that was the last time I played golf.  I plan on getting out more often in 2010.  It was great to see you, Jim and coach JT Toggas... I hope you can all do it again this year!
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - How did you get started in the "world of culinary arts?"
TR - My dad had a restaurant back in 1976.  So, I started washing dishes.  After watching what went on in the kitchen, I thought that this could be fun!  So, I started making salads and sandwiches... then, moved onto the "hot line."  From there, I decided to go to Baltimore Culinary School.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - Todd, when did you take up the tough sport of wrestling and who were your early coaching mentors?
TR - I started wrestling in the basement of *Bill Billet's house.  Mr. Billet was a referee at the time.  I used to hang out with his son, Steve - as we would go to their basement and roll around.  My older brother Bo Reynolds wrestled on West York's JV Team back in '68 or '69.  Bo got me thinking about it back then.  West York Junior High Coach, Whedon Myers, would have been my first coaching mentor.
Note: *William "Bill" Billet (York High '52) was one of York High's most accomplished wrestlers!  Billet lost just two matches during his final two years at York High.  Billet won the
'51 95lb. PA District III title as a junior and the '52 112lb. PA District III title as a senior.  Billet was a PIAA '51 SE Regional runner-up and a PIAA '52 SE Regional Champion!  He lost in  the 1952 PIAA State semi-finals.  Look at the - 1951 & 1952 SE Regional Wrestling Results - w/York High's Bill Billet.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - You were part of two YCIAA Championship Wrestling Teams while at West York.  Looking back at those teams, in your words, what were the major components of a championship wrestling team and when did you know that these particular teams were special?
TR - Having guys like Billy Pope, Chuck Nace and Steve Toggas on the team since the 7th grade made it really feel like family.  We pulled for each other and, more importantly, pulled for the team.  But, when we had to wrestle each other during practice - none of us wanted to be scored on!  We went at it very hard in practice, as if we were wrestling the opposing team.  But, in the end, it takes Respect, Discipline and "Each Person" giving 110%.  And, that’s what we had on each of those great championship teams.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - What was the home and away crowd atmosphere like when you wrestled in the mid-seventies while at West York?
TR - One word - CROWDED!!  Whether we were at home or away, there were no seats at matches with Hanover, Dallastown and Dover as well as some other teams.  Many times it was "standing-room only" at the WY dual meets.  I do remember that at some of the away matches... the parents of our opponents would sometimes use some choice language at us, but hey, that made us more willing to go and "kick some butt."
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - When you think of "tough" wrestlers, both physically and mentally - who are some of the names that come to mind when you think of your years at West York while working out in that back-gym practice room?
TR - Physically - I would say Jeff Meckley and Ken Shorts.  At times I had to wrestle Jeff Meckley and he would hurt you.  As for Mentally Tough... Kevin McCleary and John Chiappy come to mind.  They both wrestled smart and they both won.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - Can you pick out a match in your career that still stands out to you as a great memory? Give us the details of that particular match.
TR - I will give you two matches (good & bad).  The first was at Hanover for the YCIAA championship.  I had to wrestle Tom Newcome... and, some people were telling me how good he was and I might not win.  The first period I used an over-hook and hip-heist... and Newcome went flying in the air and on his back.  I held him there for over a minute, but just couldn't pin him.  The second period, Newcome rode me out.  In the third period, I let him up for one point with 30 seconds left and won!  My worst memory was in the '77 YCIAA Sectionals my senior year.  I used the same move on John Morton from Dallastown... and he caught me!  I ended up on my back and he was choking the heck out of me!  I blacked out and got pinned.  The next thing I remembered was standing up... and it was over.  My last chance and I got caught!  Morton went on to capture the '77 Section title.  What I wouldn’t give to have that last match over.  Coach JT tried to get a re-match because he knew, too, I was getting choked - but that didn’t happen.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - The photo I have posted at the top of your Q & A shows you discussing strategy with West York head coach John T. Toggas and assistant coach John Sprenkle.  What stands out in your mind when you think of those past experiences and life teachings?
TR - I guess it taught me that when you wrestle... it is a TEAM sport, as well as an INDIVIDUAL sport.  You know you are "one on one" with the other team’s opponent - so, you want to try hard as you can and never give up.  You need "Self Discipline."
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - Do you keep in touch with any of your former teammates from West York Wrestling?
TR - I been away from York since 1979, so it is kind of hard to keep in touch with former teammates.  I did run into Steve Toggas last year at Williams Grove Speedway, so now... whenever I get a chance to go to the Grove, I stop by to see him. (sprint car driver Cody Darrah's uncle is Steve Toggas)  Steve and I talk about the "old times."  I have to get to one of those golf tournaments West York has each year.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - Todd, your sister, Debbie Reynolds Haas is married to one of my former '71-'72 WY mat teammates, Jim Haas.  Did the Haas (Larry-Jim-Jared) family of wrestlers have any influence on your mat career at West York?
TR - Yes.  I used to go and watch Jim Haas wrestle many times, and, Larry Haas used to work at Lincolnway Bowling Alley - where I spent a lot of time.  So, Larry and I would talk quite a bit about West York Wrestling.  One time I was at Jim’s house when I was in 7th or 8th grade, and his dad asked me if I lifted weights.  I said no.  So, Mr. Haas gave me this homemade bench that Larry and Jim used, and I started lifting.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - I ask this of practically everyone - if you could turn back the clock and change something from back in the "day" that would have helped you become a better wrestler (i.e.: lifting, running, camps, mental attitude, summer tourneys, etc.) what would it be?
TR - Summer tournaments is the key!!  Nothing beats that hands-on experience you gain in the off-season... and, I lacked that experience.  I believe I entered only two off-season tournaments while at West York.  I entered six wrestling tournaments after I graduated!  I would like to have my West York senior year all over again (if I could turn back the clock) but, just for the wrestling experience!  Not the academics!  LOL
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - What did wrestling teach you... and, do you use any of the disciplines you learned from that time in your life today?
TR - Wrestling taught me how to be strong and to always try your hardest.  If you follow that in life (be strong and work hard), you will succeed.  Also, wrestling taught me hand and eye coordination.  I use knives a lot - so it helps to be fast and accurate!
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - You have a daughter (Chelsea) that is soon going off to college and another daughter (Kassidy) that has a couple of years left in high school.  Where did the time go?
TR - I wish I knew!  I can say that time has been fairly good to me.  I have had fun and at the same time - learned a lot while working at different places in this country.  I didn’t get married until I was twenty-eight years old.  My daughter Chelsea was born four years later.  So, I tell my kids not to rush into anything... (especially boyfriends!!) because they have the rest of their lives.  But, I did tell Chelsea she can’t have any children until she is thirty!  I’m not ready to be a "grandfather" yet.
                                                                            ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
DL - Todd, thank you for taking the time to share some memories and thoughts from your days at West York High School!  I want to also thank you and Sharon for your generous 2010 contribution to the West York Wrestling Alumni.com website.  I hope I can join you soon for another fantastic round of golf at the great Fountainhead Country Club this year!
TR - Don, it has been an honor to be part of this interview.  I wish the best of luck this year to my fellow West York Wrestling Alumni and I hope they have a great 2010!  And, please help and contribute to this web site.  Thanks, Todd.



∙ You can e-mail Todd Reynolds HERE!

The Reynolds Family @ Myrtle Beach, SC
(L-R) Sharon, Chelsea, Kassidy and Todd Reynolds.


2009 - Fountain Head Country Club Golf Outing


2009 - Fountain Head Country Club Golf Outing
(L-R) Todd Reynolds, Don Lehman, John T. Toggas, Jim Haas.
▪ 2010 Fountain Head Golf Mixer!

8/23/2010

(L-R) John T. Toggas, Todd Reynolds, Don Lehman, Randy Blasdell.


1975 West York Wrestling
(L-R) Todd Reynolds, Bill Pope, Chuck Nace.


1976-77 West York Varsity Wrestling Team
▪ YCIAA League Wrestling Co-Champions!
▪ Front Row (L-R) Rod Stough, Bob Gay, Bill Pope, Ken Shorts, Chuck Nace,
Todd Reynolds, Steve Toggas, Larry Gay, Barry Gay.
▪ Back Row (L-R)  Mark Harrington, Lynn Martin, Bruce Stambaugh,
Brett Spangler, Dave Stram, Bob Brown, Scott Luckenbaugh, John Reiber,
Perry Tallman, Randy Blasdell.


1974-75 West York Varsity Wrestling Team
▪ YCIAA League Championship Team
▪ Front (L-R) Mgr. Little, Billy Pope, Chuck Nace, Todd Reynolds, Mark Einsig,
John Chiappy, Bradley Pope, Jeff Meckley.
▪ Back (L-R) ▪ Coach John W. Sprenkle, Scott Miller, Ken Ott, Mark Hoffman,
Gary Johnson, Jim Altland, Jim Shorts, Mark Kraber, Coach John Toggas.