Veteran Wrestlers Reconnect at Olean YMCA

Longtime Salamanca coach Rich Morton and 92-year-old Cornell alum Otis Keller bond over shared passion for the sport.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rich Morton, a former wrestler at Ithaca College who spent 41 years coaching Salamanca's wrestling team, recently reconnected with 92-year-old Otis Keller, a 1955 Cornell graduate, at the Olean YMCA. The two men discovered a shared love of wrestling and have been swapping stories about their experiences in the sport.

Why it matters

The chance encounter between Morton and Keller highlights the enduring appeal of wrestling and its ability to bridge generational divides. Their conversation showcases how the sport can foster meaningful connections between individuals from different eras and backgrounds.

The details

After a chance conversation at the Olean YMCA, Morton realized that Keller also had a deep history in wrestling, having competed for Cornell in the 1950s. The two men have since been meeting regularly to share stories and insights about the sport they both love.

  • Rich Morton coached the Salamanca wrestling team for 41 years, retiring in 2020.
  • Otis Keller graduated from Cornell University in 1955, where he was a member of the wrestling team.

The players

Rich Morton

A former wrestler at Ithaca College who spent 41 years as the head coach of the Salamanca wrestling team, retiring in 2020.

Otis Keller

A 92-year-old Cornell University graduate from the class of 1955, where he was a member of the wrestling team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The chance encounter between Morton and Keller demonstrates the power of sports, particularly wrestling, to bring people together and foster meaningful connections across generations. Their shared passion for the sport has allowed them to bridge the gap between their vastly different life experiences and find common ground.