Hall of Fame
A national title at 285 pounds to highlighted a record-breaking career for Garrett Wesneski '19 ensuring him a spot in the athletics hall of fame.
The 2019 Lycoming College Most Outstanding Male Athlete and MAC Wrestler of the Year, Wesneski finished 28-1 overall during his senior year, reeling off 25 wins in a row to finish the season, tied for the eighth-longest win streak in school history. He was a perfect 8-0 during the postseason, starting as the No. 2 seed at the NCAA Southeast Regional in the Keiper Recreation Center. After a technical fall and a pin on the first day of the tournament, he downed eighth-ranked Paul Triandafilou of Gettysburg, 3-0, in the semifinals to earn a bid to the national tournament. Then Wesneski provided one of the most dramatic wrestling wins ever in Williamsport, using two first-period takedowns to down defending national champion, Jake Evans, in the finals, 5-4. Evans entered the match with a 50-1 record, which included a 6-3 win over Wesneski in the season's opening tournament at Washington & Jefferson.
In the NCAA Championships, Wesneski was seeded fifth and once again, he cruised through the first day of the tournament, posting a major decision and a pin to ensure All-American honors. On the second day, he beat Wartburg's Bowen Wileman, 4-3, in the semifinals and then took out Augustana's undefeated Adarios Jones, seeded second at the tournament, in sudden-victory, 9-7, to win Lycoming's 10th national title.
The Canton, Pa., native, who transferred to Lycoming after three years at Division I University of Maryland, finished his two-year career at Lycoming with a 66-5 overall record, his .930 winning percentage the best in program history. His 25-match winning streak to finish his career is the eighth-longest winning streak in program history. Wesneski was also a two-time Southeast Region champion, a two-time NCAA qualifier, finishing in the top 12 in the country, as a junior, and the 2019 Southeast Region Most Outstanding wrestler.
Wesneski is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Teaching and Leadership from Point Park University. A fourth grade teacher at Troy Area School District, he is also an assistant wrestling and baseball coach at Troy. He has picked up golfing with grandfather, Tink, as a favorite hobby.
Nominated by: Joe Guistina, Associate A.D./Communications.
