Dave Clark came to Boys Town as a day student in 1974. He started his wrestling journey in the 7th grade before becoming a wrestling legend. He is one of three Boys Town wrestlers to win three state championships during his career – joining Carlos Gonzalez and Kevin Barrett.

Dave’s father, Scott Clark, was a very famous wrestling coach and educator at Boys Town. His mother, Mary, was a long-time religion instructor at Boys Town High School.

Dave amassed a remarkable high school record. His freshman year, he finished fourth at the state championships. He then went undefeated in his sophomore and junior seasons at Boys Town. He was district champion in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons and a state champion his sophomore, junior and senior years. His sophomore and junior years he was never taken down.

He transferred to Millard South High School his senior year to wrestle in Class A, again winning a state championship. He was 30-1 in his senior year. He is the only Boys Town wrestler to have been invited three years in a row by the AAU to attend international training and competitions in West Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Dave earned a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he wrestled for one year. He then worked as the assistant coach at South High under head coach Greg Wilcox, who went to the Junior Olympics with Dave in Germany. Dave wrestled at the Cornhusker Games every year in Lincoln. In 1988, he tried out for the Olympics and finished eleventh.            

Dave was a long-time employee at the Omaha Housing Authority before moving to Lozier’s in Omaha before his death in a 2009 motorcycle accident. Dave was a long-time volunteer coach at the Sherman Challengers Wrestling Club in Omaha.

Dave married Sandy Meehan in 1983. They have three children: Art, Nicky and Ruben. Art presently serves as the head wrestling coach at Millard South High School. Dave and Sandy have five grandchildren.

Gene arrived at Boys Town in 1965 from Phoenix, Arizona, along with his brother, Jim, class of 1972. Gene spent over nine years at Boys Town. He was a popular student and a good citizen. He served as a class officer in his junior and senior years and was a cottage commissioner in his junior and senior years.             

Gene enjoyed an outstanding wrestling career at Boys Town. He was the Omaha city champion in 1970 and junior high conference champion in 1971. Along with Carlos Gonzalez and Danny Williams, he was known in the Nebraska newspapers as one of the “Little Big Three,” a group of intimidating BT wrestlers famous for their victories in the lower weight classes.

He won numerous tournaments, including the South High invite his freshman and sophomore years, the BT invitational his junior and senior years, and was Burke invitational champion his junior and senior years. Gene won the Intercity conference championship in 1972. He finished second at the Metro championships his junior and senior years. Gene was the Metro conference all-star champion as a senior. He was a three-time state qualifier, winning the district championship in 1974 and finished second with a 28-4 record at state his senior year.           

Gene received a scholarship and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha one year. He enlisted in the Air Force for six years and was trained and worked as a radar technician. Upon being discharged, he subsequently went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. In total, he served 43 years in military and federal service.

He is married to Donna, his wife and companion of 40 years. They have four children -- 2 boys and 2 girls, and 3 grandchildren. They live in Temecula, California. Gene has volunteered to coach in the community and enjoys working on cars and motorcycles.

John Laratta came to Boys Town in 1978 from Denver, Colorado. He was an outstanding wrestler. He developed a profile as an achiever as he performed at a very high level throughout his wrestling career.

As a freshman, John won the 1981 Class B state championship at 98 pounds. In 1982, he finished fourth at 105 pounds, and in 1983 he earned third place at 126 pounds. He concluded his high school wrestling career in 1984 as the 138-pound state runner-up -- an extraordinary achievement, capturing a total of four medals in four different weight classes.

John was undefeated in dual meets throughout his time at Boys Town. He was a 4-time conference champion and was undefeated in conference tournament competition. He was also a 4-time district medalist, winning the championship three times and placing as runner-up once. As a senior, John was only one of two wrestlers in the state tournament that year competing for a fourth career state medal.            

John received the Tom Clarke Memorial champion award in 1981. He also was awarded the Gene Blake Memorial award in 1981 and 1984 as the most outstanding wrestler. In 1982 and 1983, he won the Booster Club award as the most dedicated wrestler. He was a four-year varsity letterman and the senior team captain.           

John was also a multi-sport athlete in football and baseball and was a seven-year member of Boys Town’s famous Concert Choir. He was chosen to attend Nebraska Boys State in 1984.

Upon his graduation from Boys Town, John was awarded a Monsignor Nicholas Wegner scholarship for academic excellence, leadership and character. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver and enjoyed a distinguished real estate career in the Denver area that spanned four decades.

He and his wife, Anna, have been married 35 years and have four children and four grandchildren.

Sam Laratta arrived at Boys Town from Denver, Colorado, in 1973. He was a dominant competitor and true multi-sport standout. Laratta distinguished himself as one of the premier athletes of his era at Boys Town High School. He was undefeated in dual meets throughout his wrestling career and won the BT Invitational several times. His senior season wrestling campaign stands among the finest in school history. He was the Metro Conference and district champion his junior and senior years. Laratta captured the Nebraska state championship in his senior year while compiling a 32–0 record. His undefeated season reflected not only technical excellence on the mat, but relentless preparation, discipline and competitive resolve.            

While wrestling provided the defining highlight of his career, Sam’s athletic impact extended well beyond the mat. He earned multiple varsity letters in wrestling, football and baseball during all four years of high school — a rare accomplishment that underscored both his versatility and durability as a three-sport athlete.  Laratta was on BT’s 1979 football conference championship team his senior year.  Whether competing under the lights on the football field, on the baseball diamond, or in the intensity of state tournament wrestling, Laratta exemplified the commitment and work ethic that define the Boys Town tradition of excellence.            

Sam won numerous awards his senior year, including the B Club outstanding wrestler award, outstanding baseball player award and the Skip Palrang award. Sam Laratta’s combination of championship performance, multi-sport achievement and unwavering dedication make him a proud and deserving inductee into the Boys Town High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Sam attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year on the Skip Palrang scholarship, then subsequently joined the Marines in 1981 where he achieved the rank of sergeant. He met his wife in San Diego, and they raised four boys together. He was discharged from the Marines in 1991 and returned to Denver where he joined his brother John in a successful real estate career.