Greatest Michigan Wrestlers

Bahna Wrestling Center

Michigan has had 6 multiple NCAA Champions: Norvard Nalen (1953/1954), Dave Porter (1966/1968), Jarrett Hubbard (1972/1973), Mark Churella (1977/1978/1979), Ryan Bertin (2003/2005) and Kellen Russell (2011/2012).

Russell was seeded #1 for all four years he competed. Who has ever accomplished that feat? I believe this is a first in NCAA Wrestling History

Kellen Russell becomes Michigan's 1st 4-Time Big Ten Champion

3-Time Champions (8) include Ryan Churella, Bob Fehrs, John Fisher, Jarrett Hubbard, Fritz Kellerman, Steve Luke, Norvard "Snip" Nalan, Max Pearson

2-Time Champions (23) include: Rick Bay, Jim Blaker, Sean Bormet, Bill "Corky" Courtright, Don Corriere, Harland Danner, Theron Donahue, Carl Dougovito, Gary Ernst, Dennis Fitzgerald, James Galles, Bob Hewitt, Manly Johnson, Jim Kamman, Andy Kaul, Erik Klassen, John Marchello, Don Nichols, Otto Olson, Dick O'Shaughnessy, Dave Porter, Mike Rodriquez and Eric Tannenbaum.

Luke also set a new record for a Michigan wrestler with 14 wins at the Big Ten Championships; the previous record of 13 wins was held by: Ryan Churella, William Courtright, James Galles and Jarrett Hubbard.

Other Michigan Big Ten Champions (43) are: Ralph Bahna, Jack Barden, Chad Biggert, Frank Bissell, Jim Brown, Tim Cech, Dave Curby, George Curtis, Guy Curtis, Bill Davids, Lee Dietrick, Ed George, Amos Goodlow, Larry Gotcher, Jeff Guyton, Don Haney, Lou Hudson, Bill Johanessen, Forrest Jordan, Otto Kelly, Dick Kopel, Bill Lacure, Joe McFarland, Mitch Mendrygal, Art Mosier, Larry Nelson, Harold Nichols, Tom Quinn, Ray Parker, Jesse Rawls, Sr., Airron Richardson, Russell Sauer, Jim Smith, Wayne Smith, John Speicher, Fred Stehman, Al Steinke, Chris Stowell, Earl Thomas, Tyrel Todd, Kirk Trost, Ambrose Wilbanks, Alfred Watson and Hugh Wilson

4 Time Big Ten Finalists(4): Mark Churella, Jarrett Hubbard, Joe McFarland and Kellen Russell

3 Time Big Ten Finalists(18): Jack Barden, Ryan Bertin, Sean Bormet, Jim Brown, Jeff Catrabone, Ryan Churella, Bob Fehrs, John Fisher, James Galles, Andrew Kaul, Fritz Kellerman, John Marchello, Norvard "Skip" Nalan, Max Pearson, Dave Porter, Scott Reichsteiner, Mike Rodriquez and Eric Tannenbaum

Most Outstanding Wrestler at Big Ten Tournament: Rick Bay, Bob Fehrs, Eric Klasson, Snip Nalan, Max Pearson, Dave Porter, Mike Rodriquez and Kellen Russell

Tribute to Mike Rodriquez

NCAA Champions(14 men, 21 championships): Jack Barden, Ryan Bertin (2x), Mark Churella (3x), Bill "Corky" Courtright, Jarrett Hubbard (2x), Jim Kamman, James "Otto" Kelly, Steve Luke, Snip Nalan (2x), Don Nichols, Harold Nichols, Dave Porter (2x), Kellen Russell (2x) and Kirk Trost

4 Time All-American (5): Mark Churella, John Fisher, Jarrett Hubbard, Joe McFarland and Eric Tannebaum

3 Time All-Americans (12): Ryan Bertin, Josh Churella, Ryan Churella, Pete Cornell, Carl Dougavito, Bob Fehrs, Steve Luke, Dave Porter, Kellen Russell, Bob Spaly, Tyrel Todd and Greg Wagner

2 Time All-Americans (25): Matt Brink, Jim Brown, Joe Catrabone, William Combs, Bill Davids, Gary Ernst, Joey Gilbert, Larry Gotcher, Andy Hrovat, Bill Johannesen, Mark Johnson, Jim Kamman, Andy Kaul, Otto Kelly, Bill Lacure, Damion Logan, Norvard Nalen, Otto Olsen, Joe Pantaleo, Jesse Rawls Jr., Jesse Rawls Sr., Airron Richardson, Mike Rodriquez, Kyle Smith and Gary Wilcox

Most Outstanding Wrestler at NCAA Tournament: Mark Churella and Don Nichols (Manny Gorriaran Award: Sean Bormet and Snip Nalan)

Harold Nichols became Head Coach at Iowa State and won 492 dual meets in 32 years with 6 NCAA Championships, 11 times NCAA Team Runner-Up and 9 times in 3rd Place for a total of 26 Top 3 finishes in 32 years. Joe Scandura coached at Syracuse and in 1963 the Orangemen were 4th at the NCAA Tournament. Bob Fehrs became Head Coach at Nebraska 1978-1985, and the Cornhuskers were 4th at the NCAA Tournament. Mark Johnson became Head Coach at Illinois and won 203 dual meets in 17 years including a Big Ten Championship in 2005 and four times Big Ten runner-up. Mike Rodriquez won 732 dual meets, 8 state championships and had 26 individual state champions at Detroit Catholic Central High School in 50 seasons.

Olympic wrestlers have included: Steve Fraser (Gold), Ed George, Robert Hewitt, Andy Hrovat and Mark Johnson

Olympic coaches have included: Steve Fraser and Cliff Keen

World Championships include: Bill Davids, Dennis Fitzgerald, Steve Fraser, Jehad Hamden, Joe McFarland (Silver), Mike Rodriquez and Joe Warren (Gold)

World Cup Championships include: John Fisher (Gold/Silver), Steve Fraser, Andy Hrovat, Mark Johnson (Bronze), Joe McFarland (Gold/Bronze), Kirk Trost (Gold/Bronze) and Joe Warren (Gold)

U.S. National Champions: John Fisher, Steve Fraser (3x), Mark Johnson (2x), Kirk Trost and Joe Warren (2x)

AAU National Champions: Frank Bissell, Bill Combs, Bill Davids, Lee Dietrick, Steve Fraser, Ed George (2x), Robert Hewitt, Mike Rodriquez, Joe Scandura and John Speicher

National Wrestling Hall of Fame: Mark Churella, Steve Fraser, Cliff Keen, Harold Nichols

National Wrestling Hall of Fame--Michigan Chapter: Rick Bay, Dave Porter, Mike Rodriquez; Illinois Chapter: Mark King, Wayne Miller; Minnesota Chapter: Jim Kamman, Snip Nalan

Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame: Mark Churella, Tim Fagan, John Fisher, Steve Fraser, Cliff Keen, Joe Pantaleo, Dave Porter, Mike Rodriquez and Steve Zervas

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame: Steve Fraser and Cliff Keen

John Fisher holds the Michigan Record of Most Wins. From 1984-1988, his record was 183-21 and also most consecutive wins with 47 between 1988-1989.

Top Michigan Wrestlers by Win Percentage (Minimum 50% Overall, not yet complete)

Max Pearson Passes

Catching Up with Jeff Catrabone