Photo of Karl Pope

Karl PopeKarl Pope

Photo of Karl Pope
School: Franklin Graduation Year: 1981

Year Inducted: 2014

Sports Played: Football, Wrestling

High School Honors: 3-year letter winner in wrestling, Third in District as a junior; District and State Champion at 178 as a senior. As a senior, represented the Cultural Exchange Team, wrestling throughout the US and Canada. Was #1 in State Freestyle and 2nd in Greco Roman as a senior. 1-year letter winner in football.

Post High School Career: Wrestled 2-years at Portland State University, placed fifth in the nation as a freshman. Finished third in the 1984 US Olympic Trials, serving as a team alternate; spent 8 years wrestling professionally and 7 years in mixed martial arts. Favorite sports today include ultimate fighting, football and wrestling. Karl is a collector for Coin Meter.

Commentary:

Although you may be a natural at your favorite sport, you will only get so far on that ability; you still need to put yourself completely into it to be the best you can. This has been true in all aspects of my life, and I have thought of this every time I attempt a new experience. Nothing comes easy, but anyone can be a champ. Try hard and give it all you have!

Athletes that have inspired me are Randy Couture, Dwayne Johnson, and Drew Brees.

More Inductees from this School:

Rufus Dean-El (Franklin, 1989)

Rufus Dean-ElRufus Dean-El

School: Franklin Graduation Year: 1990 Year Inducted: 2020 Sports Played: Football, Wrestling High School Honors: 3 Football and 4 Wrestling Letters. 1st team All-PIL running back, Honorable Mention All-State as

Owin Hays (Franklin, 1990)

Owin HaysOwin Hays

School: Franklin Graduation Year: 1990 Sports Played: Football, Track and Field Year Inducted: 2023 High School Honors: 4 Football letters. 1st Team All-PIL linebacker and defensive captain. Led team in