Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Arizona Western

 

Arizona Western at one time was a powerhouse in NJCAA wrestling & on top of it, one hell of a pipeline too. Nearly all of the wrestlers that will be discussed today went on to success at the NCAA DI level. One of their head coaches, Jim Teem had wrestled at Cal Poly where he was a two time All American with finishes of 4th in 1965 & 2nd in 1965. 

Mike Barfuss 

An All American for the Matadors in 1980, Mike Barfuss would transfer to Cal Poly where he earned an 8th place All American finish in 1982. 

Mark Tracy 

Mark Tracy was a NJCAA runner-up for the Matadors in 1983.  He later competed for Cal Poly where he took back to back All American 7th place finishes in 1985 & 1986. 

Mickey Carroll 

Mickey Carroll won an NJCAA title for the Matadors in 1967.  He then went on to compete for Northern Arizona where he went 56-1.  He won an NAIA title in 1969, taking 3rd place in 1970. 

Craig Noble 

Craig Noble was an NJCAA All American for the Matadors in 1981. He went to become a two time All American for Cal State Bakersfield, earning a runner-up finish 1982 & placing 4th in 1983. 

Otis Calvin  

Otis Calvin was a two time All American for the Matadors in 1980 & 1981.  He went on to compete for Arizona State.