Delaney Ruhlman will leave Bloomington High School South with one of the most impressive resumes in the history of its wrestling program.

He is the first Panther since Randy May (1974-76), Jim Cornwell and Marty Hutsell (both 1969-71), most recently, to appear in three straight state finals. (Tommy Ramon made it all four years from 1948-51).

Ruhlman, who has signed with Purdue, also finished 141-10, certainly one of the top win totals all time in South history and made it to state every season. And of his losses, three came to state champs with six more to eventual state medalists. Only one defeat, his freshman season at the Al Smith Classic, came to a wrestler who didn't end the season on the medal stand.

Lacking only a state title, it's a triple-thick chocolate shake with whipped cream missing only the cherry on top.

"He's right up there at the top," South coach Mike Runyon said. "Looking back through the history of our state champs here recently, he made it three times in a row and not many have done that. He's definitely one of the greats."

Ruhlman is also now, like his older brother Tristan, a two-time Herald-Times Wrestler of the Year. It's the seventh year in a row a Panther has won or shared the award.

Path to the top

Over four years, Ruhlman did everything it took make it to the state finals and for the past three, get to the spotlight match in his weight class. He ended this season 40-1, seldom needing to work beyond the first period to win his matches, showing the focus he needed as the state's top-ranked wrestler all season.

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"There's a lot that plays into it," Runyon said. "We have a saying in the room that it's all a state of mind. That could never be truer. He had the mindset to get it done.

"There's a physical side to it as well. A lot of guys do stuff on their own. Extra running, after practice staying late and doing extra stuff. All kinds of things play into that."

It all starts at home. The Ruhlmans combined to win just over 250 matches.

"It runs in the family," Runyon said. "He's a very motivated individual and he has his mind set. But he's very quiet in the way he does it and pursues it. He's a little different than most, but they're all different in their own special way."

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Rewarding past, bright future

Ruhlman's even demeanor was an asset during a season where everyone was trying to do anything they could to knock him off the top of the pedestal. But for all his experience and for whatever reason, Ruhlman just fell short again against one of Crown Point's best for the third year in a row.

"If his mind was set right, there was not going to be anyone able to stop him," Runyon said. "In the finals this year, he didn't perform up to his ability. I don't know if nerves got to him or what. He is usually so even keeled, it's hard to predict that on any given night. He was confident going into most of the matches he wrestled."

But it's likely not the last big match Ruhlman will wrestle in as he heads to join his brother in the Boilermakers program, with far more positive than negative to push him into the next level and, maybe, beyond.

"He is disappointed, I'm sure, but in a matter of time, looking back over the years, I think he'll realize the magnitude of what he accomplished," Runyon said. "He's got bigger expectations moving on, like winning an NCAA championship or medaling in the Olympics."

2022-23 H-T ALL-AREA WRESTLING TEAM

106: CAM MEIER, South, So. (36-6)

First at sectional, first at regional, third at semistate and made run to fourth at state finals to earn first medal. CI champ. Third at Al Smith Classic. Jeff Classic champ. 60 career wins.

113: JOHN ORMAN, Edgewood, Fr. (26-9)

Second at sectional, third at regional, lost in second round at semistate to the eventual state champ. Fifth at Mooresville Holiday Classic.

120: WAYNE HARDEN, South, Fr. (12-11)

Began season at 113 and moved up for sectional, where he placed third.

126: JACKSON EMERY, Owen Valley, So. (20-16)

Fourth at sectional to make regional for second year in a row. 42 career wins.

132: WYATT COOKSEY, South, Fr. (23-12)

First at sectional, second at regional, lost second round at semistate to eventual sixth place finisher at state. Competed at 126 before bumping up for sectionals, taking third at CI, second at Jeff Classic.

138: BRANSON WEAVER, Owen Valley, Jr. (34-6)

Third at sectional, second at regional, fourth at semistate, knocked out in first round at state by eventual champion. WIC champ. Runner-up at Mooresville Holiday Classic. Bo Henry champ.

145: CASH TURNER, Edgewood, Sr. (38-2)

First at sectional, first at regional, lost second round at semistate. WIC champ for third time. Third at Mooresville Holiday Classic. Career mark of 138-14. Four-Time All-Area.

152: EVAN ROUDEBUSH, South, So. (34-3)

First at sectional, first at regional, lost second round at semistate. Repeat CI champ. Third at Al Smith Classic. 60 career wins. Repeat All-Area.

160: CAEL HICKOK, North, Jr. (31-11)

Second at sectional, third at regional, lost second round at semistate in overtime. CI champ. Fourth at Mooresville Holiday Classic. Third at Bo Henry.

170: DELANEY RUHLMAN, South, Sr. (40-1)

First sectional, first at regional, first at semistate, second at state finals to earn third medal. H-T Wrestler of the Year again. Panthers only four-time CI champ and first to win title at Al Smith Classic. Jeff Classic champ. 141 Career wins and only 10 losses. Purdue signee. Four-time All-Area.

182: KYVAN BANDY, Owen Valley, Jr. (27-12)

Second at sectional, fourth at regional, lost opener at semistate to eventual champ. WIC runner-up. Third at Bo Henry.

195: DREW CHANDLER, South, Sr. (18-12)

First at sectional, fourth at regional, lost opener at semistate. CI champ. Second at Jeff Classic.

220: ELI HINSHAW, Owen Valley, Sr. (35-3)

Second at sectional, second at regional, lost second round at semistate. WIC champ. Mooresville Holiday Classic, Bo Henry champ.

285: BRYCE MILLS, Owen Valley, Sr. (30-7)

First at sectional, first at regional, lost second round at semistate. WIC champ. Third at Mooresville Holiday Classic. Bo Henry champ.

HONORABLE MENTION: Eli Collier, Owen Valley, Jr. (20-12 at 113); Landon Clement, Edgewood, Jr. (25-12 at 132); Brant Turner, South, Sr. (19-14 at 138); Hunter Fender, South, Fr. (26-14 at 145); Conner Rogers, Owen Valley, Sr. (22-14 at 145); Jeremiah Casillas, North, Jr. (27-12 at 152); MIchael Neidigh, Edgewood, So. (21-17 at 152).

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington South's Ruhlman reigns again as H-T Wrestler of the Year