Robert L. Conklin , who graduated from Denver South, was a two-time state champion at 165- pounds in 1949 and 1950.

He joined the Navy after graduation and in 1951 was a member of the 12th Naval District Wrestling Team.

He also wrestled for the University of Denver following his service in the Korean War and graduated from DU in 1957.

He went into coaching right away and coached not just wrestling but cross country, football, track and gymnastics. He was the vice principal at South and would eventually become the District Athletic Director from 1971-1988 and Denver Public Schools Administrative Assistant from 1988-1990.

He became a member of the National Federation of State High School Association's Athletic Advisory Committee, representing five states while also serving as the president of the Colorado High School Athletics Association, the Denver Regional Council of Government's Parks and Recreation, the Police Athletic League Advisory Committee and the Colorado State Drug Conference Committee.

Conklin is a member of the Denver Prep League Hall of Fame (1991), the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame (2001), The National High School Sports Hall of Fame (2002), and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame (2009).