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Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame

Team Induction 1989-1990 Wrestling

  • Class
  • Induction
    2017
  • Sport(s)
    Wrestling, Teams of Distinction
Ithaca College's first back-to-back team national champions, the 1989 and 1990 wrestling program compiled an overall dual record of 22-10 during the title runs under the guidance of Hall of Fame head coach John Murray and assistant coach Dave Auble.

The Bombers won the 1989 national championship in University Heights, Ohio with 72.5 points, as five grapplers earned All-American recognition – three of which placed second in their respective weight classes – and two other qualified for the championships. All five that wrestled to All-America status won 30 or more bouts during the campaign.

Dan Bieller '90 (177 lbs), Mike Fusilli '91 (190 lbs.) and Rob Gross '90 (142 lbs.) all finished as national runners-up, while Joel Lamson '90 (126 lbs.) and Marty Nichols '90 (150 lbs.) placed fifth. Tim Cotter '90 (134 lbs.) and Randy Cotton '92 (heavyweight) also represented the Bombers as national qualifiers.

The follow year, Ithaca earned hosting rights for the national championships in Ben Light Gymnasium and defended its title from a season prior. The Bombers scored 81 points, which was 17 more than the runner-up from Ausburg. At the time, Ithaca was just the third NCAA Division III wrestling program to repeat as national champions.

Fusilli was an individual national champion in the heavyweight division with a 13-5 victory in the title bout. Lamson and Nichols were runners-up at 126 and 150, while Mike Cronmiller '90 (158) placed third and Gross was fifth at 142.

Cronmiller, Fusilli, Gross and Nichols are in Ithaca's Hall of Fame.

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