WATCH: Solomon Fleckman Was Imposing 3-Time Prep Wrestling Champ, Ended Career With Amazing 99-1 Record

By  //  May 10, 2018

fell in love with the wrestling at an early age

2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: At Merritt Island High School, Solomon Fleckman was a Mustang for three years and won three consecutive state championships ending his high school career with an amazing 99-1 record.

THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11.CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – There are not too many people that know what it takes to be a three-time state champion in wrestling. However, Solomon Fleckman is one that does. Fleckman, the only child of Patsy and Ira Fleckman was practically born to be a wrestler.

In fact, he learned to do “back bridges” before he could even walk. A neck condition at birth caused Fleckman to have to exercise at a very young age, so his dad, a die-hard wrestling fan, turned it into this powerful wrestling move.

Fleckman grew up, for the most part, in south Florida, and fell in love with the sport at an early age. Wrestling and Solomon Fleckman were a perfect fit.

After a move to Brevard County, Fleckman enrolled at Merritt Island High School. He was a Mustang for three years, his sophomore, junior and senior years, and won three consecutive state championships ending his high school career with an amazing 99-1 record.

At Merritt Island High School, Solomon Fleckman was a Mustang for three years, his sophomore, junior and senior years, and won three consecutive state championships ending his high school career with an amazing 99-1 record.

When asked about how he felt after winning his first state championship, Fleckman said, “that one was pretty special.” Having people that meant so much to Fleckman, not only attending the state tournament but being a big part of his success was one of the things that made it so special.

Among those attending and supporting Fleckman was long-time friend and Mustangs Wrestling Coach Toby McCormick, Fleckman’s best friend Tony McCormick (himself a two-time state champion from Merritt Island) and Fleckman’s mom and dad.

Fleckman continued his success on the mat with two more state championships his junior and senior year. He fondly recalls how close he was to his teammates.

Fleckman said that Merritt Island is “one of the most tight-knit communities I have ever been a part of.” After every home dual meet, there would be a party at one of the parent’s homes. They would wrestle, roll up the mats, clean up the gym and go to a party – parents and all.

SOLOMON FLECKMAN was a three-time state wrestling champion at Merritt Island High School and posted an incredible 99-1 record during his prep career.

TOUGH ON THE MINDSET

There were a number of individuals that had an impact on Fleckman’s wrestling career. One of his early role models was Glenn Goodman, who was the first four-time Florida state wrestling champion.

According to Fleckman, “Goodman was a bright and thoughtful guy, a great sportsman, and a brilliant technician.” When asked about others Fleckman mentioned Billy Moss from North Miami Beach and Chris Cramer from Largo.

In fact, whenever Fleckman would see Cramer at tournaments, he would “pull me over to the side and show me a new move.” College coaches Thad Turner and Tom Hutchinson were also huge parts of Fleckman’s success.

Fleckman’s enthusiasm for wrestling and respect for the sport is one of the reasons for his success. He will tell you that it is a “difficult sport, tough on the mindset and that it’s very personal.”

He goes on to say that it’s about “respecting yourself and others. The honesty part of wrestling is really the lynchpin. There are no excuses. You are in the middle of the circle with people watching, either you can do it, or you can’t.”

Fleckman can do it, and he did it! That’s why Solomon Fleckman is a member of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

Solomon Fleckman’s enthusiasm for wrestling and respect for the sport is one of the reasons for his success. He will tell you that it is a “difficult sport, tough on the mindset and that it’s very personal.”
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THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT the 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS