Cal Lutheran Wrestling History
1964-1965
Coach: Don Garrison
Team
123: Ted Eckman
130: Larry McLean
137: Sulieman Edmondson
137: Jim Kennington
147: Ed Holsten
157: Rick Farris
157: Joe Hall
167: John Hoefs
177: Bill Kennington
177: Ron Knott
HWT: Steve Proehl
Team Captain: Ted Eckman
Most Valuable Wrestler: Ted Eckman
CLC dual meet record was 2-2.
1965-1966
Coach: Don Garrison
Team
115: Ted Eckman
123: John Stoltzfus
130: David Rydbeck
130/137: Tim Kuehnel
137: Jim Kennington
137/145: Lawerence Kurtz
145: Bruce Wilcox
152: David Spurlock
152: Ken Olson
160/167: Bill Kennington
160: Tony Wampler
167: Ragner Storm-Larsen
167: John Hoefs
177: Bob Bonner
191: Bill Snipes
HWT: Rex Baumgartner
Team Captain: Ted Eckman
Most Valuable Wrestler: Ted Eckman
Most Improved: John Hoefs
Cal Lutheran was 9-7 in dual meets.
1966-1967
Coach: Don Garrison Trainer-Tom McGarvin
Team
115: Ted Eckman
123: Chuck LaGamma, NAIA District III champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
130: Michael Haynes,
130: Phil Reitan
137: Tim Kuehnel,
137: Larry McLean, NAIA District III champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
145: Bruce Wilcox,
152: Lane Ongstead,
152: David Spurlock,
167: Ken Olson
167: Ragner Storm-Larsen
177: Bill Kennington
177: Bob Bonner,
177: Mike Rodriquez
191: Bill Snipes,
HWT: Rex Baumgartner, NAIA District III champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
Cal Lutheran won 9 and lost 8 dual matches and was 6-2 vs. NAIA teams. Cal Lutheran won CLU’s first-ever NAIA District III championship. Charlie La Gamma, Larry Mclean, and Rex Baumgartner were NAIA District III champions and went to the NAIA Nationals at Lockhaven State.
Awards:
Most Valuable: Chuck LaGamma
Most improved: Bruce Wilcox
Team Captain: Rex Baumgartner
CLU Hall of Fame: David Spurlock
David Spurlock was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 for his football career. In 1964, as a freshman on the California Lutheran College football team, David Spurlock suffered injuries so severe that he was given no more than 72 hours to live. He survived and tried to return to the team the following year, but the doctors refused to let him play until 1967 when he started every game at linebacker. He led the team in interceptions with four and received the Davey Spurlock Fighting Heart Award that had been created in his honor in 1964. In his final season, he played defensive back and recorded a school-best 11 interceptions for the year which still stood at the time of his induction. That year he was named to the All-District team, All-West Coast team, and the All-Lutheran team. He was selected as CLU Player of the Week three times that season and brought his career interception total to 15. He was also awarded the Davey Spurlock Fighting Heart Award for the third time in his career.
1967-1968
Coach: Don Garrison Assistant Coach: Nick Howard Trainer-Tom McGarvin
Team
115/123: Chuck LaGamma, 2nd NAIA District III, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
130: Michael Haynes
130: Phil Reitan
130: Tim Pinkney
130: Larry McLean, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
137: Chuck Branham, NAIA District III Champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
137: Tim Kuehnel,
137: Jim Day
145: Bruce Wilcox
145: Ken Olson, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
152: Paul Belgum, NAIA District III champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
152: Lane Ongstad, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
167: Bruce MacEwen
167: Luther Creed
177: Bob Bonner
177: Mike Rodriguez
191: Glen Alford
191: Steve Smith
191: Ken Spitler
HWT: Rex Baumgartner, NAIA District III champion, NAIA National Tourney qualifier
Coach Garrison was NAIA District III Coach of the Year. Cal Lutheran posted a 12-3-1 dual meet record and won the NAIA District III championship. Chuck Branham, Paul Belgum, and Rex Baumgartner were NAIA District III champions. Chuck La Gamma, Luther Creed, and Ken Olson were 2nd in the NAIA District III tournament. Chuck La Gamma, Chuck Branham, and Paul Belgum went to the NAIA Nationals at Adams State.
Awards:
Most Valuable: Chuck LaGamma
Most improved: Ken Olson,
Team Captain: Chuck LaGamma
1968-1969
Coach: Don Garrison Assistant Coach: Bob Canter Trainer-Tom McGarvin
Team
115/123: Raul Rubalacava, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament, National Tourney wrestler
115/123: Michael Haynes
123/130: Chuck La Gamma, NAIA District III champion, National Tourney wrestler
130/137: Chuck Branham, NAIA District III champion, National Tourney wrestler
130/137: Tim Pinkney,
137/145: Jim Day, NAIA District III champion, National Tourney wrestler
137/145: Tim Kuehnel
137/145: Bruce Wilcox
137/145: Ken Wright, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
152/160: Ken Olsen, NAIA District III champion, National Tourney wrestler
152: Dave Rydbeck
152/160: Paul Belgum
160/167: Adrian Lee
167/177: Bob Bonner, 4th NAIA District III Tournament
167/177: Lane Ongstad
177/191: Richard Kelly
190: Mike O’Donnell
190: Steve Smith
190: Ray Shadid, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
HWT-Rex Baumgartner, NAIA District III champion, National Tourney wrestler
Team record 12-3. Coach Garrison was NAIA District III Coach of the Year. CLC won their third straight NAIA District III championship. Raul Rubalacava, Charlie La Gamma, Chuck Brandham, Jim Day, Ken Olsen, and Rex Baumgartner were NAIA District III champions and went to the NAIA Nationals at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Awards:
Team Captains: Charlie La Gamma and Rex Baumgartner
Most Valuable: Rex Baumgartner
Highest Grade Point Average: Rex Baumgartner
Most Inspirational: Jim Day
Most Improved: Ken Wright
CLU Hall of Fame – Don Garrison
Don Garrison was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the founder of the wrestling program at California Lutheran College. Don Garrison coached the Kingsmen to a 46-21-2 record from 1965 to 1969. During his stint as head of the wrestling team, he led CLC to three consecutive NAIA District III championships (1967, 1968, 1969). He was named NAIA District III coach of the year in 1968 and 1969. Garrison was also defensive coordinator for the CLU football team from 1964 to 1978, including the 1971 NAIA Division II National Championship team. Don Garrison was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
CLU Hall of Fame- Rex Baumgartner
Rex Baumgartner was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. In 1969 he won his final collegiate match at the NAIA District III Championships and earned enough points to give Cal Lutheran the championship. In so doing, he became the NAIA Division III Heavyweight Champion for the third consecutive year. In his first season as heavyweight champion, he posted an 18-4 record and the following year he went 22-0 on his way to the District III title. After CLU, he went on to achieve a Ph.D. in dentistry.
1969 -1970
Coach: John Owens Assistant coach: Bob Canter
Team
118: Ken McMillen
118: Raul Rubalacava, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
126: Michael Haynes, 4th NAIA District III Tournament
126: Jeff Quentmeyer
134: Tim Pinkey, 2nd NAIA District Tournament, 4-year letterman
142: Chuck La Gamma, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, 4-year letterman, undefeated in dual matches in 4 years. NAIA National Tourney wrestler
150: Ken Wright, NAIA District III Tournament Champion, 4th place Biola tournament, NAIA National Tourney qualifier
158: Dalton Sowers, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, 1st place Biola tournament,
167: Ted Lazaga, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, 1st place Biola tournament
167: Adrian Lee
190: Mike O’Donnell
190: Ray Shadid
190: Tom Ingvoldstad, 3rd place Biola tournament
190: Butch Standefer, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
190: Steve Smith
190/HWY: Richard Kelley
HWT: Brian Kelley, NAIA District III Tournament Champion, 3rd place Biola tournament, National Tourney wrestler
190/HWY: Richard Kelley
Team Captain: Charlie La Gamma
CLC placed second as a team in the NAIA District III tournament. Charlie La Gamma, Ken Wright, and Brian Kelly were NAIA District III champions. Charlie La Gamma and Brian Kelly and went to the NAIA Nationals at Lake Superior State College, Lake Superior, Wisconsin. Charlie separated his loose shoulder (again) during his second match, relocated it during injury time-out, and finished the match, which he won. He lost his next match, though.
Hall of Fame-Steve Smith
Steve Smith coached high school wrestling for 30 years at Agoura and Thousand Oaks high schools. He was inducted into Agoura High School Hall of Fame in 2015.
CLU Hall of Fame-Chuck LaGamma
Chuck (Charlie Tuna) LaGamma was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. A four-sport athlete at Cal Lutheran, Chuck LaGamma recorded the most success on the wrestling mat. During his career at California Lutheran College, he lost just one dual match. He was a key member of a wrestling program that won three consecutive NAIA Division III Championships (1967-69) and was team captain for the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons. In 1970 he was named Cal Lutheran's most valuable and most inspirational player in wrestling. Individually, he was the NAIA District III Champion for the 1968 and ’70 seasons and qualified for the NAIA Championships three times, finishing as the District III runner-up in 1970. During his time as a standout wrestler, the multi-talented athlete also competed in track & field, tennis, and cross country.
CLU Hall of Fame-Brian Kelley
Brian Kelley was a key member of the football and wrestling programs in his career at California Lutheran College. In 1971 he helped lead the Kingsmen to the NAIA Football Championship and was named the most valuable player of the championship game. In 1972 he was selected to the NAIA All-America First Team as well as the NAIA District 3 Defensive First Team and the All-Lutheran College Defensive First Team. Adding to his senior season honors, the defensive playmaker was named the team MVP and a Kodak College All-American. At the time of his induction, he held the school record for interceptions in a career with 17. The dual sport athlete made a name for himself in the wrestling world as well by becoming the NAIA District III heavyweight champion in 1970. After leaving Cal Lutheran, he went on to play for 11 seasons as a starting linebacker for the New York Giants of the NFL. Kelley was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
1970-1971
Coach: John Owens
Team
126: Jeff Quentmeyer
142/150: Steve Magruder, NAIA District III Tournament champion, 4th in NAIA Nationals
134/142: Stan Mansfield, 4th NAIA District III Tournament
158: Dalton Sowers, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney qualifier
177/190: Tom Ingvoldstad
190/HWT: Butch Standefer, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
HWT: Doug Clark
Cal Lutheran had a duel match record of 8-7-1 and placed second as a team in the NAIA District III tournament. Steve Magruder was an All-American and was the District III champion and placed 4th in the NAIA Nationals at Appalachia College in North Carolina. The Athletic Director would only fund District Champions for the trip so Dalton Sowers did not compete in Nationals. At the Nationals Cal Lutheran placed 30th out of 106 schools.
CLU Hall of Fame-Steve Magruder
Steve Magruder was inducted into the Cal Lutheran Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He wrestled at California Lutheran College from 1971 through 1973, making his biggest impact in his first year after transferring from El Camino Junior College. As a sophomore transfer, he burst onto the scene finishing first at the NAIA District III Championships and fourth place at the NAIA National Championships where he earned All-American honors. Magruder wrestled only part of his junior and senior seasons due to knee and collarbone injuries but was still named to the Outstanding College Athletes of America in 1973. Steve is the only Cal Lutheran wrestler to be named All-American.
Coaching
Stan Mansfield was player/coach at Moorpark College during the 1972-1973 season. In 1972 the Japanese AAU Olympic team toured California wrestling against area champions. Stan Mansfield was the only area wrestler to win that day. He pinned his opponent in the 142 weight class.
Team captain: Dalton Sowers
1971-1972
Coach: John Owens
Team
118: John Morris, NAIA National Tourney wrestler (126)
126: Tim Phillips, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
134: Tony Bouvet
134: Bob Thornton, 4th NAIA District Tournament
150: Steve Magruder
158: Dalton Sowers, NAIA District III Tournament Champion, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
167: John Wesling
167: Dave Starr, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
177: Gary Kraber
190: Butch Standefer, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
HWT: Doug Clark, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament,
Gary Huff: Wrestled until the end of the first semester, then he left Cal Lutheran.
Cal Lutheran placed second as a team in the NAIA District III tournament. John Morris, Dalton Sowers, Dave Starr, and Butch Standefer went to the NAIA Nationals (in an 8-foot camper), held at Oregon Technical College, Klamath Falls, Ore. CLC was having financial problems and Coach Owens used his coaching pay to finance the trip to Klamath Falls. Upon their return, the Athletic Director (AD) complained that Coach Owens had gone $100 over the tiny budget that he was given. The AD gave almost all the athletic budget to football (he was the football coach). He was not the AD who hired Coach Owens. Since he did not live up to what that other AD had promised in support, Coach Owens left Cal Lutheran.
At NAIA Nationals, Dalton Sowers won the first match and lost the second match. John Morris lost the first match. David Starr won his first match by pin. David won his second match but lost the third match. Butch Standefer lost his first match.
Hall of Fame-John Owens
John Owens was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008. He retired from teaching in 2005 but has continued coaching at San Clemente H.S. In 2016 he started a girl's wrestling team and at present has 48 on the roster. Teaching kids to wrestle is hard when maintaining social distance. 2021 is his 57th year coaching wrestling and his 46th year at San Clemente H.S.
1972 -1973
Coach: Thad (Ted) Eckman
Team
118: Richard Renosa, 4th NAIA District III Tournament
126: Tim Phillips, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, 2nd Biola tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
134: Bob Thornton
134: Pete Brosius
142: Malcom Pickett
150: Steve Magruder
158: Dalton Sowers, NAIA District III Tournament Champion, 3rd Biola tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
167: Tom Griego, 3rd Biola tournament, 3rd SCC tournament, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
177: Mark Munoz, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
190: Butch Standefer, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, 1st Biola tournament
HWT: Sam Clark, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
Team Captains: Tim Phillips, Dalton Sowers, Butch Standefer
Honorary Letterperson
Kathy King wrestled one match in 1973 and lost by default, 3/2/73 article
Squad members
Doug Clark, John Elmore, John Nelson, Terry Nipp.
Cal Lutheran had a 9-4 dual meet record and placed second as a team in the NAIA District III tournament. Tim Phillips and Dalton Sowers went to the NAIA Nationals in Sioux City, Iowa.
Dr. Eckman on Kathy King the First Female College Wrestler
Unfortunately, the best wrestler on my team, Steve McGreuder, blew out his knee in practice the night before our match with Southern California College. Without Steve, we lost the match by only a few points. I was in a quandary the night before the match because knew it would be close, so I decided to try to outwit the other coach. I recruited, Kathy King, a drama student, to replace Steve on the team. Of course, there was no intention that she would wrestle. I wanted to throw the other team off guard and try to force a forfeit. Kathy dressed in a CLC wrestling uniform and we kept her hidden in the men's locker room until her match was called. When Kathy ran onto the mat, there was absolute pandemonium in the gym. The gym was packed (standing room only) because we had been undefeated and ranked 4th in the nation. The other coach panicked and his wrestler left the mat, refusing to wrestle a girl (exactly what I had hoped for). At the last minute, the other coach, who was enraged at the deception, shoved his wrestler onto the mat telling him to "tear her head off." When the other wrestler took the mat, I thought the crowd was going to bring the house down. The noise was absolutely deafening. I had instructed Kathy to pretend that she was actually going to wrestle right up to the whistle and then run off the mat. I was hoping the other wrestler would lose his nerve. Kathy did exactly as I told her. When the referee blew his whistle to start the match, I threw a towel onto the mat and Kathy turned and ran off to the bench. We forfeited, but Kathy was famous for a time. Because the clock started with the referee's whistle, Kathy went down as the first female collegiate wrestler in history. She and I did interviews on several radio stations and we made the local TV news. The story went out on the UPI and AP wire services, so it went worldwide. Our local newspaper (then, the News Chronicle) ran a story and several pictures. I may have copies somewhere. There was even a tiny little blip in the February 1973 issue of Sports Illustrated. I caught a little flack from the Director of Women's Athletics the next day, but nearly everyone else took it in stride. It was great fun and it gave the team something to remember of a lifetime.
1973-1974
Coach: Greg Barker Assistant: Jim Day
Team
134: Pete Brosius,
142: Kelly Felix,
158: Randy Paulson,
150: Bill Porter
Tom Griego
190: Doug Clark
HWT: Sam Clark
Squad Members
Rueben Bouvet, Wendy Brudvik, Stan Parker, Dennis Ritterbush, Bill Schwich, Owen Stormo
Most Improved Wrestler: Sam Clark
Most Valuable: Kelly Felix
Team Captain: Doug Clark
CLC placed sixth as a team in the NAIA District III tournament.
1974-1975
Coach: Doug Clark
Team
126/134: Matt Peterson
142/50: Rueben Bouvet
167: Tom Griego, 4th in NAIA District III Tournament.
Squad members
Mike Bell, Ron Carron, Sam Clark, Dan Davis, Phil Laube, Rich McMillan, Kelly Reed, Sal Sandoval, Brian Strange, Dave Sulouff, Jim Walsh
Since there were only three wrestlers on the team they only wrestled at a couple of tournaments and dual matches (2-2). The team finished last (8th) in the NAIA District III tournament.
Awards
Most Improved- Matt Peterson
1975-1976
Coach Buck Deadrich, Assistants: Jim Day, Don Schneider Manager: Jerry Lenander
Team
126: Matt Peterson, 2nd in NAIA District III Tournament, 4th Cal Tech Tournament, 9th in NCAA Division III Nationals.
126/134: Marc Caldwell, 2nd in NAIA District III Tournament
134: Pete Brosius
142: Scot Solberg, 4th in NAIA District III Tournament, 2nd Cal Tech Tournament
142/150: Rueben Bouvet, 3rd in NAIA District III Tournament, National Tourney wrestler
167: Tom Griego
177: Jim Anderson, 1st in NAIA District III Tournament, 1st Biola Tournament, National Tourney wrestler
Wrestlers that did not letter: Roger Boos, Ron Green, Moy Serrano, Jorge Gigena, Jim Samson, Dan Morrow, Ron Woodering.
Cal Lutheran opened the season against Drake the defending NCAA Division II champion and wrestled against Santa Barbra, Stanford, Cal Berkeley, seven State colleges, and at the San Francisco State Tourney. CLU finished 3rd as a team at the NAIA District III meet only a ½ point behind second-place Claremont Mudd. One wrestler was seated first but did not make weight and contributed no points. Five wrestlers qualified for the Nationals. Matt Peterson, Rueben Bouvet, and Jim Anderson went to the NCAA Division III Nationals at Coe College, Cedar Rapids Iowa. At the Nationals Cal Lutheran placed 36 out of 150 schools with Matt Peterson placing 9th. This was the first Cal Lutheran sports team to compete in NCAA Nationals.
AWARDS
Team Captain: Rueben Bouvet
Moat Valuable: Jim Anderson,
Most Improved: Marc Caldwell
Most Inspirational: Matt Peterson
All wrestlers got medals that read Survivors CLC Wrestling 1976.
Hall of Fame-Buck Deadrich
Buck Deadrich is a member of the National Collegiate Wrestling and California Wrestling Hall of Fame. He captured 7 national titles, represented the USA in five world championships, and was a member of the 1972 Olympic team. He was the 1969 National AAU Freestyle Champion, 1969 United States Greco-Roman World Team Member - 6th place, 1970 United States World Team - University Games (silver medalist), 1971 Unites States World Freestyle Team Member, 1972 AAU National Freestyle Champion, 1972 National U.S.W.F. Freestyle Champion, 1972 United States Olympic Greco-Roman Team, 1973 National U.S.W.F Freestyle Champion, 1973 National Sambo Championship, 1973 United States World Team member in Sambo. Buck was head wrestling coach at California Lutheran College and Cal State Stanislaus.
1976-1977
Coach Buck Deadrich Assistant: Phil Parker Manager: Jerry Leander
Statistician: Chris Neitz
Team
118: Jim Merrill
118: Ed Flemming, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
126/134: Matt Peterson, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
126/134: Marc Caldwell, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
126: Jeff Nicholson
142: Kevin Godycki
134/142: Tom Perez, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
150: Rueben Bouvet, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
158: Mike Shafer
167: Kim Coddington, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler,
167: Don Jackson, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament
177- Steve Kirshner, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
177 Tom Ember, 2nd NAIA District III Tournament
190: George Eckman
HWT: Bob Mundon, 3rd NAIA District III Tournament, 3rd UNLV tournament
In 76-77, Cal Lutheran wrestled against mostly universities and California State colleges. CLU wrestled at the San Francisco State Tourney and the Las Vegas Classic tournament facing such foes as the University of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Cal Lutheran placed 2nd as a team at the NAIA District III tournament behind Biola. Biola won the district title with 104 points followed by CLC with 84. No other school had more than 25 points. Six CLC wrestlers qualified for the NAIA Nationals. Matt Peterson, Kim Coddington, and Steve Kirshner went to the NAIA Nationals at Eastern Washington University, Cheney Washington. Matt and Kim did not win any matches. Steve lost to Lanny Davidson, 2-time national champion but he did not get to wrestle in consolation rounds. Kim Coddington died in an auto accident shortly after the nationals and a scholarship was set up in his name.
Team Captain: Rueben Bouvet, Steve Kirshner
Most Valuable: Steve Kirshner
Most Inspirational: Rueben Bouvet
Most Improved: Jim Merrill
Rocky Award: Matt Peterson
Toughest Grappler: Don Jackson
Most Exciting: Tom Perez
Most Falls: Bob Mundon
Golden Fish Award: Bob Mundon
1977-1978
Coach Buck Deadrich, assistant George Eckman, Jerry Lenander manager
Team
118: Paul Schwehn, 2nd in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, 1st Whittier, 2nd Cal tech
118: Jim Merrill
118: Ed Fleming
126: Matt Peterson, 2nd in Kim Coddington Memorial Tournament, 1st in Whittier, 4th in Caltech, 16th in NAIA Nationals
126: Moy Serrano
134: Tom Perez, 2nd in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, 2nd in Whittier, 3rd in Cal tech. NAIA National Tourney wrestler
142: Scott Solberg, 1st in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, Kim Coddington Memorial tournament outstanding wrestler,
3rd Whittier, 1st in Caltech, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
150: Ken Bowers, 3rd Whittier, 3rd Caltech
150: Kevin Wheaton
150: Tony Valenzuela
150: Kevin Godyck, 2nd in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, Kim Coddington Memorial tournament Outstanding Sportsmanship award.
158: Doug Hostler, 2nd in the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
177: Lance Marcus, 1st in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, 2nd Whittier, 4th in all-Cal, 2nd Cal tech, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
167: Pete Sandberg, 2nd in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
167: Barry Kirshner
167: Don Jackson
190: Mark Webber, 2nd in the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
HWT: Paul Brown, 1st-Whittier, 1st Caltech
HWT: Tom O’Brien, 2nd in the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
Squad members, Paul Brown, Ed Fleming, Barry Kirchner, Tony Valenzuela
The Kim Coddington Memorial tournament replaced the NAIA District III tournament with the inclusion of additional state universities. The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) was represented by Pomona Pulitzer (SCIAC champion), Whittier, Claremont-Mudd, La Verne, and Cal Tech. The state universities were Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Northridge, Cal State University Los Angeles, and UCLA. Biola and Cal Lutheran were the only two NAIA independent schools.
Team Captain: Matt Peterson
Most Inspirational: Tom Perez
Most Improved: Mark Webber
Most Valuable: Paul Schwehn, Scott Solberg
In 1977-1978 Cal Lutheran opened their season against Stanford and continued to compete against universities and California State colleges. The team finished 16-4 in dual matches and was ranked 14th nationally. The team took 2nd at both the Whittier and Cal Tech tournaments, 9th at the All Cal tourney, 13th at the San Francisco State Tourney, and 1st at the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament. Paul Schwinn placed 2nd at the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament despite wrestling with pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Nine wrestlers qualified for the NAIA Nationals with only 4 allowed to compete. Matt Peterson, Tom Perez, Lance Marcus, and Scot Solberg attended the NAIA Nationals at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater Wisconsin. At the Nationals Matt placed 16th. Ed Fleming was the NAAU Sambo Champion and placed 2nd at the Pan American Sambo tournament.
1978-1979
Coach George Eckman
Team
118: Craig Morioka
126: Sonny Medina, 2nd Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
142: Scott Solberg, 1st Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, Kim Coddington Memorial tournament outstanding wrestler, 10th in NAIA Nationals
142: Jay Hewlitt
158: Dale Christiansen, 2nd Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
167: Lance Marcus, 2nd Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, 2nd at San Francisco tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler, 16th in NAIA Nationals
177: Greg Ronning, 1st in Kim Coddington Memorial tournament, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
190: Ken Bolton
190: Bill Rush
HWT: Karl Bish, 4th Kim Coddington Memorial tournament
Most Valuable: Dale Christiansen, Lance Marcus
Most Inspirational: Sonny Medina,
Most Improved: Sonny Medina,
Most Falls: Greg Ronning
Team Captain: Lance Marcus
The Kim Coddington Memorial tournament replaced the NAIA District III tournament with the inclusion of additional state universities. The CLC wrestling team came through with flying colors through time conflicts, ineligibilities, and injuries. Throughout the year the team had been continually plagued with injuries. Only freshman Sonny Medina, Dale Christiansen, Greg Ronning, and seniors Scott Solberg and Lance Marcus lasted out the entire season to make an excellent showing in the National Qualifier Tournament held at CLC on February 3, 1979. The Cal Lutheran wrestling team had a 16-7 record and placed second as a team at the Kim Coddington Memorial tournament. Both Solberg, at 142 lbs, and Greg Ronning at 177 lbs won their respective divisions Kim Coddington Memorial tournament. With their impressive victories, they won spots to compete at the NAIA National Tournament. Lance Marcus at 167 lbs who was the team’s best competitor at an earlier tournament in San Francisco, captured the second spot in his division and accompanied Solberg and Ronning to the NAIA Nationals in Wheeling West Virginia. At the NAIA Nationals, Scott Solberg placed 10th and Lance Marcus placed 16th.
1979-1980
Coach: Pat Jones
Team
118: Craig Morioka
126: Sonny Medina, 2nd Place Kim Coddington Tournament
158: Dale Christiansen, 3rd Place Whittier
165: Joey Robinson, 3rd Place Kim Coddington Tournament, 2nd Place Whittier
177: Greg Ronning, 1st Place Kim Coddington Tournament, Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament, 5th Place University of Las Vegas Tournament, 2nd Place San Diego City Tournament, 1st Place Whittier, NAIA National Tourney wrestler
HWT: Karl Bish, 2nd Place Kim Coddington Tournament, 2nd Place Whittier
Don Meyer-1st Place Whittier
The Kim Coddington Memorial tournament replaced the NAIA District III tournament with the inclusion of additional state universities. The 1980 Kingsmen Wrestling team under the new coaching direction of Pat Jones, had what could be termed a frustrating year. The team consisted of only six members but placed third as a team at the Kim Coddington tournament. Greg Ronning, the team's MVP, won his weight class at the Kim Coddington tournament and qualified for the NAIA Nationals at Hayes Kansas. He did not place at the NAIA Nationals. Balancing the attack for the Kingsmen were Sonny Medina, Karl Bish, and Dale Christiansen returning from last year's team. Joey Robinson and Don Meyer also supported the team with strong individual performances. 1980 was a building year for the Kingsmen and Coach Jones hoped to build a stronger program next year. Despite the efforts of the wrestlers, the 1980 team was the last CLU wrestling team.
Most Valuable- Greg Ronning
