Joe Kowalski was an outstanding tight end and linebacker in football, but wrestling was where he really shined at Wayland High.

How good a wrestler was Kowalski? Legendary coach Rick Moyer terms him "the most outstanding wrestler I coached at Wayland in 30 years.''

As a 188-pounder, Kowalski won every single award in sight. A captain for the Warriors his senior year, Kowalski was 78-2-0 during his Wayland career, turning in a spotless 29-0-0 mark as a senior with 25 pins. He remains the only wrestler from his school to be named First Team Scholastic Wrestling News All-American.

In addition, Kowalski was a Dual County League All-Star, a Central New York Holiday Tournament champion and outstanding wrestler, a Lowell Holiday Tournament two-time champion and outstanding wrestler, a three-time Eastern Mass Sectional champion and outstanding wrestler, a Massachusetts state champion and outstanding wrestler, a New England champion and outstanding wrestler, a Region 1 freestyle wrestler and a Region 1 Greco-Roman champion.

During his senior year of football, the Warriors were state champions.

While at Wesleyan University, Kowalski won a New England championship in wrestling as a freshman.