Ben Appel

 Appel Ben Appel
Wrestling, 1990

This 2017 Hall of Fame inductee had 101 pins in his career, the fourth in the state of Connecticut.  A 1990 Danbury High graduate, Ben had a 92.5% winning percentage with a 149-20 career record which puts him in the top six DHS wrestlers all-time.  From 1987 to 1990, Ben was an amazing four time FCIAC champion, one of only eight DHS wrestlers to do so.

​From 1989 to 1990, Ben was part of Danbury High's undefeated wrestling record.  In 1989, the Hatters were 22-0, and in 1990 the DHS wrestling squad was 24-0.  In both years Danbury High School wrestling teams finished #1 in the state polls.

​In 1989, Danbury High defeated Norwich Free Academy to win the LL Connecticut State Championship.  They repeated again in 1990 by defeating Simsbury.  Ben was a two-time LL state champion and finished fifth in New England.

Aside from his amazing personal records, Ben holds the Connecticut record for fifth in the state in team points with 1,048.  Current Danbury High wrestling Coach Ricky Shook says of Ben, "He was as tough as they come."  Ben was certainly an amazing wrestler on great Danbury High teams.