Kopp, William “Billy”

William “Billy” Kopp, 2015

William “Billy” Kopp was an outstanding wrestler at Southview High School, where he earned a career record of 98 wins and only 19 losses from 1984 to 1988, including 54 career pins.

Kopp is the product of the highly successful Southview wrestling program developed by Coach Dan Ternes, a LSHOF 2001 inductee.

At Southview, Kopp earned four varsity letters in wrestling, improving greatly each year.  In that time, he brought home several championships:  He was Erie Shore Champion in 1986-87 and 1987-88, Nordonia and Willard Tournament Champion in 1985-86, Lorain County Tournament Champion in 1986-87, Brunswick Tournament Champion in 1987-88 and four-year Copley Champion 1984-85 through 1987-88.  He also was the 1986 AAU Summer State Champion, Mid-West Regional Champion and a National Qualifier.  In 1985-86 and 1987-88, Kopp captured both the Sectional Tournament Championship and the District Tournament Championship.

In his 1987-88 senior season, Kopp wrestled to his remarkable perfect record of 31-0 and reigned as the State Tournament Champion in the 125 LB. weight class.  He also was named Southview’s Wrestling Team MVP.

Following high school, Kopp continued wrestling, earning a 21-3 record during one year at Lassen Community College in Lassen, California after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

After completing his military service, Billy later served as an assistant wrestling coach under Head Coach Dan Ternes at Southview.  He later was named the first Head Wrestling Coach at Lorain High School.

Kopp, who resides in Lorain, is the father of five daughters.