Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Maranatha Baptist

Wrestling was first brought to Maranatha Baptist by legendary Iowa State/Olympic grappler Ben Peterson in the 1972-1973 season.  He would remain the head coach of the program through the 2000-2001 season.  While the Sabercats did compete within both the NAIA & NCAA Division III, there was a large portion of their existence where they remained a varsity status that competed outside of these organizations.   

Peterson organized & brought together other Christian affiliated schools with wrestling programs to compete in the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association (NCCAA).  The Sabercats won team titles in both 1986 & 1991.  

While roster sizes were often small & rarely if ever filled, the program lasted through the 2013-2014 season. 

Ben Hoover
165 lbs 

Hoover began his collegiate career at Manchester before transferring to Maranatha Baptist.  While competing for the Sabercats, he made the NCAA Division III finals in 2008 & took fifth place in 2009.   He later became a coach at Hannibal-LaGrange. 

Mike Houck
HWT 

Mike Houck came to Maranatha Baptist from Robbinsdale High School in Minnesota.  He won two NCCAA titles for the Sabercats before turning his attention to Greco-Roman wrestling.  He won a World Gold Medal in 1985 & later turned over to coaching. 

Jim Gruenwald 

Gruenwald came to Maranatha Baptist after making the state finals three times & winning one title for Greendale High School.  Although at the time of competing the Sabercats were neither in the NAIA or NCAA, Gruenwald more than proved himself as one of the nations top wrestlers by continuously placing high at the prestigious Midlands tournament against Division I competition.   He placed fourth in 1989 & third in both 1991 & 1992.  A winner of three NCCAA titles, he graduated with a career record of 154-19. 

Post College, Gruenwald had an admirable career in international wrestling making the Olympic team in 2000 & 2004.  He later got into coaching. 

John Bruner 

Also a member of the Men's Volleyball team, Bruner wrestled for the Sabercats. 

Tom Allen 

Indiana Hoosier head football coach Tom Allen wrestled for the Sabercats. He was also a member of the Marantha Baptist football team & threw shot put on the Track & Field team.