Defending the Title: 1971: Those Who Did and Those Who Didn't Defend the Title

 Michigan State's Greg Johnson won title #2 of 3.  Oklahoma State's Darrell Keller and Geoff Baum both won their second title. 

1971 Champion 126
Yoshiro Fujita of Oklahoma State 

While not near as celebrated as Uetake or the Hattas, Fujita was another standout from Japan that made an impressive impact in NCAA wrestling.  Winning an NCAA title as a junior here in 1971, he looked poised to win another NCAA title in 1972 when he had to medical forfeit out of the tournament due to an injury in the first round. 

1971 Champion 134
Roger Weigel of Oregon State 

 A state champion for Molalla high school, Weigel won three PAC-12 titles competing for the Beavers.  After placing 3rd at the 1970 NCAA championships, Weigel ended his career at national champion in 1971.  He went on to coach at Portland State. 

1971 Champion 150
Stan Dziedzic of Slippery Rock 

Going 116-2 over his illustrious career, Dziedzic won three NCAA Division II titles.  At the NCAA Division I level he won the NCAA title in 1971, placing 3rd in 1970 and 2nd in 1972.  Far from being done with wrestling post college, Dziedzic went on to win Olympic Bronze in 1976 and World Gold in 1977. 

1971 Champion 158
Carl Adams of Iowa State 

A New York state champion for Brentwood Ross High School, Adams made an immediate impact for the Cyclones placing fifth as a freshman at the 1969 NCAA championships.  Failing to place in 1970 as a sophomore he came back strong in 1971 and 1972 winning back to back NCAA titles.  Ironically enough the only year he did win a BIG 12 title was 1970.  Post college he would win a Silver medal at the Pan-American championships. 

As a coach Adams experienced success at both Rhode Island and Boston.  He lead the Rams to 6 NEIWA titles and the Terriers to 10 NEIWA titles.  

1971 Champion 167 
Andy Matter of Penn State 

A State champion out of Upper Darby High School, Matter won three EIWA titles, winning back to back NCAA titles in 1971 and 1972. 

1971 Champion 191
Ben Peterson of Iowa State 

One of the most inspirational and motivational individuals our sport has ever known, it's almost difficult to imagine how brutal and ruthless Peterson could be on the mat, considering how soft spoken he is off of it. After placing 4th as a sophomore in 1970, Peterson won back to back NCAA titles in 1971 and 1972.  He went on to a stellar international career winning Olympic Gold in 1972, World Bronze in 1973, Pan American Gold in 1975 and Olympic Silver in 1976.  He later coached at various colleges, including Maranatha Baptist, starting and helping to operate the short lived NCCAA (National Christian Colleges Athletic Association). 

1971 Champion UNL 
Greg Wojciechowski of Toledo 

Wojciechowski was a two time state champion of for Whitmer high school.  While competing for the Rockets he won the NCAA title as a junior in 1971, finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 1970 and 1972. He later became "The Great Wojo" in professional wrestling. 

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Johnson, Keller and Baum previously mentioned 

Fujita, Dziedzic and Wojciechowski did not repeat 

Adams, Matter and Peterson repeated

Weigel was a senior