Takedown Report

The 10 Best Wrestlers From Discontinued Programs

Some of America’s best wrestlers competed for dropped programs. Here are the 10 best.
Just because a college discontinued its wrestling team doesn’t mean we should forget about the wrestlers who went there. Here are the 10 best wrestlers from dropped programs.
Click here for JD Rader’s list of new and dropped programs since 1975.
10. Greg Wojciechowski
College: Toledo
Year Dropped: 1994
Wojciechowski competed in the NCAA tournament finals three times at heavyweight from 1970 to 1972, securing a title in 1971. He won 13 AAU national titles (Greco-Roman and freestyle) and made the 1980 Olympic team boycotted by the United States.
9. Gene Mills
College: Syracuse
Year Dropped: 2001
Mills went on a tear after placing third at the NCAA tournament in 1977 and fourth in 1978. Perhaps college wrestling’s most dynamic wrestler, the Orangemen’s wrestling superstar, won NCAA championships in 1979 and 1981 at 118 pounds. He also made the 1980 Olympic team at 52 kilograms but didn’t compete due to a boycott by the United States. Mills secured seven falls in 10 matches during his two NCAA championship runs. His other three matches were 17-2, 16-13, and 28-4 wins.
8. Pete Mehringer
College: Kansas
Year Dropped: 1966
Mehringer placed second at the 1932 NCAA tournament (HWT) to Northwestern’s Jack Riley, then won a gold medal at the 1932 London Olympics (192 pounds). He was the first Kansas University athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.
7. Stan Dziedzic
College: Slippery Rock
Year Dropped: 2006
Before winning the 1977 World Championship and earning a bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics, Dziedzic was a three-time All-American. He placed third at the NCAA tournament in 1970 (150 pounds), first in 1971 (150 pounds), and second in 1972 (158 pounds).
6. Stephen Abas, Fresno State
College: Fresno State
Year Dropped: 2021
After a fourth-place finish as a freshman in 1998, Abas won three NCAA championships (1999, 2001-02) at 125 pounds. His only loss during his final three seasons was when he moved up to 133 pounds to face Oklahoma State’s three-time NCAA champion … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14089528-the-10-best-wrestlers-from-discontinued-programs

April 18, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | sports, wrestling