Toward the end of Panther wrestling, the team competed in the Western Regional, a conference whose history I've found extraordinarily difficult to find. I do believe that they had some very high finishes within the Western Regional & may have won a team title or two as well.
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| Bob Holland |
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| Greg Savegnanon 190 lbs |
One of the best in Panther history, Savegnanon earned a total of seven All American awards during his career. Finishing as the NCAA Division II runner up in 1979, he took eighth at the NCAA Division I tournament. In 1980 he again finished as the NCAA Division II runner up, this time placing fifth at the NCAA Division I level. In 1981 he captured the NCAA Division II title & finished third in NCAA Division I. In his final season, Eastern Illinois had transitioned to Division I status & he took seventh at the 1982 NCAA Division I tournament.
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| Dave Klemm HWT |
Not many people can claim that during their collegiate careers that they defeated both Bruce Baumgartner & Jeff Blatnick, but Dave Klemm can. The Lincoln high school graduate's best finish at the state tournament was third, but he'd go on to have a phenomenal showing at Eastern Illinois. As a sophomore in 1977 he won the NCAA Division II title. He finished in third place in 1978 & as the runner-up in 1979. After his final NCAA Division II tournament, he entered the NCAA Division I championships & also finished there as the runner-up. He ended his career with a record of 129-3.
Post college Klemm got into coaching & had tremendous success. He Coached as an assistant at Eastern Illinois, Oklahoma & Illinois before taking over as the head coach at Lincoln College (Illinois). At the NJCAA level he has has 101 national qualifiers, thirty-five All Americans and six NJCAA champions.
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| Jeff Dillman |
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| Mark Ruettiger |
Ever seen the 1993 classic film Rudy? This is Rudy's brother, Mark Ruettiger. The state of Illinois' first four time state champion, who wrestled for Providence Catholic. Ruettiger would go on to a sixth place finish at the NCAA championships in 1985. He is the current head coach of Moline high school.
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| Demetrius Harper HWT |
A graduate of Chicago Heights Rich Central, Harper would begin his career at Lincoln College (Illinois) before transferring to Eastern Illinois. He finish in eighth place at the 1987 NCAA championships.
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| Marty Molina |
A graduate of West Chicago High School, Molina finished in sixth place at the 1989 NCAA championships. He later coached at Larkin High school.
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| Matt Hughes 158 lbs |
A graduate of Hillsboro High School, Hughes went 88-0 during his final two years winning two state championships. He began his career at Southwest Illinois College where he finished in fifth place at the NJCAA championships. When Southwest Illinois College dropped their wrestling program he transferred to Lincoln college where he finished in third place at the NJCAA championships. He then competed for the Panthers where he earned All American status twice placing eighth in 1996 & fifth in 1997. He also finished sixth & third in the Midlands championships.
Post college he went on to be one of the most successful & prolific fighters in MMA.
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| David Pena |
A three time NCAA qualifier, Pena ended his career in eighth place at the 1997 NCAA championships. Today he teaches MMA to young fighters.
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| Kenny Robertson 174 lbs |
MMA star Kenny Robertson was a three time NCAA qualifier & a two time Western Regional champion for Eastern Illinois. He also placed twice at the Midlands championships placing eighth in both his sophomore & junior seasons.
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| Al Orodonez |
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| Ed Torrejon |
One of the founders & owners of Fountain Youth Ministries at Sixth Street Gym, Torrejon had an excellent career at Eastern Illinois. After finishing at the NCAA Division II runner-up in 1976, he won the title in 1977.
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| Bob Stout |
After a fifth place finish as a sophomore in the 1977 NCAA Division II championships, Stout would go on to win titles in 1978 & 1979.
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| Bob McGuinn |
McGuinn was a three time NCAA Division II All American during his time as a Panther. He placed sixth in 1978, won a national title in 1979 & finished in fifth placed in 1980.
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| Mark Gronowski |
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| Dennis McCormick |
A graduate of Springfield high school, McCormick finished as the 1981 NCAA Division II runner-up.
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| Jim Gardner 167 lbs |
Also a member of the Panther football program, Gardner had an excellent career for the Panthers. He finished in third placed at the 1961 NAIA championships and then won an NAIA title in 1962. He finished his career with a 50-18 career record, racking up 25 falls.
Post College he went on to coach at both West Leyden & Springfield Lamphier High Schools. An over all dual record of 233-127, he won six regional, five conference & one sectional titles.
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| Don Neece 190 lbs |
Don Neece only placed at the Illinois state tournament once, finishing with a sixth place finish for East Alton Wood River. He'd go on to be another wrestler to win a national title, having never won a state title. He also, won a national title in the year where he did not win a conference title. As a sophomore in 1961, he finished as the IIAC runner up. In 1962 he won the IIAC finishing in fourth at the NAIA tournament. In 1965 he finished as the runner-up at the IIAC before winning the NAIA championship.
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| Mike Kelly |
Kelly began his career at Harper college, where he earned NJCAA All American honors. During his time at Eastern Illinois, he was team captain two years running. Post college he competed in a record 16 Midlands championships. He also competed in Unifight championships earning top three finishes on six occasions. As a coach, he coached at Harper College & UW-Parkside before coming to UW-Whitewater.
Ed Torrejon was the first National champion for EIU
ReplyDeleteLarry Kanke was 4th in 1968 at 177lbs
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