Athletics Hall of Fame
Rich Straub wrestled in three different weight classes throughout his four-year career at UW-Whitewater. Straub led the Warhawks to three conference titles (1989, 1990 and 1991), compiling an individual record of 116-44-1, including 59 by fall. His 44 wins (44-9) in 1992 are the most by a Warhawk wrestler in a season in the history of the program. As a freshman in 1989, Straub took third in the Wisconsin State University Conference at 142 pounds. After moving weight classes, Straub captured the WSUC title at 134 pounds in 1991. His senior season, Straub battled back after losing his first bout of the regional to pin four of his next six opponents and finish second. In the NCAA Division III Championship, Straub, the eighth seed, won his first two bouts before falling to the top seed. He worked his way through the wrestleback and finished fifth, ending his career with a pin of Ithaca's Lenny Bruehwiler in 2:30 to garner All-America honors. Today, Straub's name still holds the top place for wins in a season (44), second for career wins (116), second for career pins (59), fourth for pins in a season (21 in 1992), eighth for most career points (422.75) and 10th for most points in a season (154 in 1992) in the UW-Whitewater record book. Off the mat, Straub was a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American in 1991 and 1992, the league's Max Sparger Scholar Athlete of the Year recipient in 1992 and a Chancellor Scholar-Athlete. Straub earned his degree in elementary education major is currently a guidance counselor at Arvada West High School in Arvada, Colo.Â
