Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Ta b l e o f Co n t e n t s Ab o u t Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e About Pete Willson...... Wheaton College is a coeducational college of liberal arts and science, combining high ...... Front inside cover scholastic standards with evangelical Christian faith and practice. About Wheaton College...... 1 Located 25 miles west of Chicago, Wheaton College is a non-denominational independent Tournament personnel...... 1 school owned and operated by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. Tournament participants...... 2 Interdenominational in constituency, the student body represents nearly all 50 states, Tournament schedule...... 2 some 50 countries, and about 40 church denominations. Seventy percent of the students Tournament rules and format...... 2 are from outside . The faculty of approximately 150 members, about 80% with earned doctorates, comes from a variety of universities and colleges, both in the and Tournament scoring...... 2 abroad. As active Christians, they are personally interested in the spiritual and intellectual Past Invitational champions...... 3 development of students. 2010 Invitational team results...... 3 Wheaton’s 80-acre campus is located in Wheaton, Illinois, a city of nearly 50,000 resi- 2010 Invitational individual champs....3 dents, and is the county seat of DuPage County. Other college-owned campuses include 2010 Invitational award winners...... 3 the 50-acre Black Hills Science Station near Rapid City, South Dakota, for field studies in Past Wheaton College Invitational geology and biology, and Honey Rock Camp, a 500-acre youth counseling laboratory in champs from Wheaton...... 4 . Wheaton College All-Americans...... 4 Wheaton College sponsors 21 varsity sports, as well as nine club sports and a strong Wheaton College’s National...... intramural program. Wheaton is a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wis- consin (CCIW), and all Thunder teams compete at the NCAA Division III level. Champions...... 4 In recent years, Wheaton athletes have won 30 individual NCAA national championships Wheaton Hall of Famers...... 4 in eight Division III sports and have earned All-American honors in eight others. In addition, Wrestlers in Wheaton’s Hall of Honor... the 1957 men’s basketball team won the NCAA College Division championship, the men’s ...... 4 soccer program won Division III National Championships in 1984 and 1997 and Wheaton won Wheaton coaching staff...... 5 the 2004, 2006, and 2007 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Championship. Wheaton’s CCIW Champions...... 5 2010-11 Wheaton roster...... 6 Wheaton wrestler bios...... 6-7 To u r n a m e n t Pe r s o n n e l Feature Story: Dick Gieser ...... 8-11 Tournament Ambassador...... Pete Willson Wheaton’s National Champions...... 12 Announcer...... Scott Torppey Wheaton’s Sports & Recreation Center Computer Scoring...... Jeff Kreider of Kreider PC Tournaments Head Referee...... Fred Feeney ...... Back inside cover Wheaton College Athletic Director...... Dr. Tony Ladd Ab o u t t h i s p r o g r a m Facilities Manager...... Bill Stukes This program was written and designed Invite Athletic Trainers...... Doug Guth, Chris Rice, Tonya Baker, Laarni Yogore by the Wheaton College Sports Infor- Photographer...... Mike Hudson mation Office. Content for this program *Note - This is just a brief list of the dozens of people it takes to successfully run this was written by Nathan Lindquist of the great tournament. The many referees, hospitality coordinators, weigh-in staff, student Wheaton College Sports Information facility support staff, student trainers, maintenance workers and others are thanked for Office. their efforts. Special thanks to Pete Willson for all of his assistance with this program and this To u r n a m e n t Co m m i t t e e tournament. Ron Beaschler, Ohio Northern University Some photos by Mike Hudson Photog- Kevin Morin, School of Engineering raphy. Additional photos provided by the Mike DeRoehn, Lakeland College Gieser Family. Ab o u t t h e Fr o n t Co v e r Wheaton senior Justin Marble is featured on the cover of the 2011 Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational tournament program. Photo by Michael Hudson Photography.

1 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational

2011 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Pa r t i c i p a n t s Augustana College, Case-Western Reserve University, College of Mount St. Joseph, Concordia University (Wis.), Elmhurst College, Elizabethtown College, Heidelberg College, John Carroll University, Knox College, Lakeland College, Lindenwood University, Manchester College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Messiah College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Union College, Morrisville State College, Muskingum College, North Central College, Ohio Northern University, Olivet College, Trine University, University of Chicago, University of Indianapolis, UW-LaCrosse, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Whitewater, Wabash College, Williams Col- lege and Wheaton College. To u r n a m e n t Sc h e d u l e

Fr i d a y , Ja n . 28, 11 AM Prelims and quarterfinals, wrestlebacks; six mats, eight officials

Sa t u r d a y , Ja n . 29, 9 AM Semifinals and wrestlebacks; seventh-place matches; six mats, eight officials

Sa t u r d a y , Ja n . 30, 12:15 PM (App r o x i m a t e l y ) Championship finals, consolation finals and fifth-place matches after completion of previous round on three mats.

To u r n a m e n t Ru l e s a n d Fo r m a t --- All matches will be according to NCAA regulations------The tournament is double-elimination ------Trophies are awarded to places one through eight ------Placewinners will be recorded for places one through eight ------All NCAA policies and rules will be enforced ---

Ma t c h Sc o r i n g To u r n a m e n t Sc o r i n g Fall - The match is terminated when any part of both shoulders are Fall...... two points held in continuous contact with the mat for one second. Forfeit...... two points Near fall - Three points (When a wrestler holds his opponent’s Default...... two points shoulders on or near the mat for five seconds). Disqualification...... two points Near fall - Two points (When a wrestler holds his opponents shoul- Technical fall (with near fall)...... 1 1/2 points ders on or near the mat for less than five seconds). Technical fall (without near fall)...... one point Takedown - Two points (When a wrestler goes from a neutral posi- Major decision...... one point tion to a position of control). Advancement Reversal - Two points (When a wrestler goes from being controlled to a position of control). Championship bracket...... one point Escape - One point (When a wrestler goes from being controlled Wrestle-back bracket...... 1/2 point to a neutral position) Bye followed by a win One point (When a wrestler accumulates 60 seconds Riding Time - Championship bracket...... one point or more riding time in excess of his opponent’s riding time). Wrestle-back bracket...... 1/2 point Stalling - One point (When a wrestler makes no effort to wres- tle).

2 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Pa s t Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Invitational Te a m Ch a m p i o n s Year Champion Year Champion Year Champion 1938 Wheaton College 1963 Augustana College (Ill.) 1987 Drake University 1939 Wheaton College 1964 MacMurray College (Ill.) 1988 Drake University 1940 Illinois State University 1965 Augustana College (Ill.) 1989 Drake University 1941 University of Dubuque 1966 MacMurray College (Ill.) 1990 UW-Parkside 1942 University of Dubuque 1967 Augustana College (Ill.) 1991 UW-Parkside 1943 No tournament held 1968 Augustana College (Ill.) 1992 Marquette University 1944 No tournament held 1969 Augustana College (Ill.) 1993 UW-Parkside 1945 No tournament held 1970 Augustana College (Ill.) 1994 UW-Parkside 1946 No tournament held 1971 Augustana College (Ill.) 1995 Lindenwood University 1947 Wheaton College 1972 Marquette University 1996 Missouri Valley 1948 Wheaton College 1973 Marquette University 1997 Missouri Valley 1950 Wheaton College 1974 Marquette University 1998 Missouri Valley 1951 Illinois State University 1975 Marquette University 1999 Missouri Valley 1952 Great Lakes College 1976 Marquette University 2000 Missouri Valley 1953 Northern Illinois University 1977 Marquette University 2001 UW-LaCrosse 1954 University of Illinois – Chicago 1978 Drake University 2002 Embry Riddle (Ariz.) 1955 Illinois State University 1979 Drake University 2003 Lindenwood University 1956 Southern Illinois University 1980 Drake University 2004 Missouri Valley 1957 Southern Illinois University 1981 Drake University 2005 UW-LaCrosse 1958 Southern Illinois University 1982 Drake University 2006 Truman State 1959 Southern Illinois University 1983 Drake University 2007 UW-LaCrosse 1960 Southern Illinois University 1984 Augustana College (Ill.) 2008 UW-LaCrosse 1961 Wheaton College 1985 Central College (Iowa) 2009 UW-Parkside 1962 Wheaton College 1986 Drake University 2010 UW-Parkside

2010 Wh e a t o n Pe t e Wi l l s o n -Wh e a t o n Invitational Te a m Re s u l t s Place Team Points Place Team Points Place Team Points 1 UW-Parkside 175.5 11 Mount Union College 57.5 21 Case Western Reserve 23.0 2 Heidelberg University 108.5 12 Wabash College 56.5 21 UW-Eau Claire 23.0 3 UW-LaCrosse 92.0 13 Lakeland College 51.0 23 Mount St. Joseph 21.0 4 North Central College 89.0 14 Messiah College 49.5 24 Wheaton College 15.0 5 Elmhurst College 86.5 15 Truman State University 44.0 25 Augustana College 14.5 6 University of Indianapolis 79.5 16 Olivet College 39.0 26 MSOE 9.5 7 UW-Platteville 75.0 17 Elizabethtown College 38.5 27 Muskingum College 6.5 8 Trine University 69.0 18 UW-Oshkosh 36.0 28 Concordia (Wis.) Univ. 6.0 9 UW-Whitewater 61.0 19 John Carroll University 35.5 29 Knox College 5.0 10 Ohio Northern University 58.5 20 University of Chicago 24.5 30 Manchester College 1.5

2010 Pe t e Wi l l s o n -Wh e a t o n 2010 Pe t e Wi l l s o n -Wh e a t o n Invitational Invitational In d i v i d u a l Ch a m p i o n s Aw a r d Wi n n e r s George Olson Outstanding Wrestler Award 125-pounds: Alex Johns (University of Indianapolis) Mark Corsello (Elmhurst) 133-pounds: Nathan Fitzenreider (North Central) 141-pounds: Austin Bautista (UW-Whitewater) Pete George Sportsmanship Award 149-pounds: Craig Becker (UW-Parkside) Isaac Dukes (Case Western Reserve) Zach Mizer (Heidelberg) 157-pounds: Jack Swartz Most Falls/Least Time Award 165-pounds: Matt Curley (Heidelberg) Ethan Harris (Univ. of Indianapolis) - 5 falls / 19:33 174-pounds: Mike Schmitz (UW-LaCrosse) 184-pounds: Gabe Youel (North Central) Fastest Fall 197-pounds: Bill Schindel (Mount Union) Ethan Harris (Univ. of Indianapolis) - 28 seconds 285-pounds: Mark Corsello (Elmhurst)

3 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational

Wh e a t o n Invitational Ch a m p i o n s Fr o m Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e * *List may be incomplete due to unavailable records. Wrestler Wrestler Wrestler Wrestler Paul Lancaster Brett Stamm Mickey Best Carl Gunderson Dave McDowell Robert Taussig Wes Berghouse Jim Gustafson Henry Nuss Hal Taussig Paul Carlson Wendy Harris John O’Neil Kai Togami Clyde Ciccarelli Roy Hess Bob Oury Scott Torppey Gerard Cozette Buzz Hill Harry Pett Gil Waterman Jim Elliot David Hirt Spencer Sawyer Jim Watt Ted Evans Winston Hurlburt Howie Schoon Dan Weber John Franz Tom Jarman Dick Simons Manly Wilcox Ray Gingrich John Jeffery Dave Skonberg Pete Willson Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Al l -Am e r i c a n s Wh e a t o n Na t i o n a l Ch a m p i o n s Year Wrestler Wt. Class Name Name 1963 Tom Jarman 157-pounds Mickey Best Dave McDowell 1980 Brett Stamm 167-pounds Toby Boltz Steve McRoberts 1982 Brett Stamm 177-pounds Caleb Campbell Chris Moberly 1996 Paul Elsen 177-pounds Sean Collins John O’Neil 1997 Paul Elsen 177-pounds Paul Elsen Dave Skonberg 2001 Dan Weber 165-pounds Everette “Buzz” Hill Brett Stamm David Hirt Brian Stamm Wh e a t o n Al u m n i /Co a c h e s i n Tom Jarman Richard Simmons Rob Kime Kai Togami Di v i s i o n III Wr e s t l i n g Co a c h e s Paul Lancaster Gil Waterman As s o c i a t i o n Ha l l o f Fa m e Tom Littauer Dan Weber Paul Elsen Tom Jarman Brett Stamm George Olson Pete Willson Wr e s t l e r s i n Wh e a t o n At h l e t i c s “Ha l l o f Ho n o r ” Name Grad Year Greg Campbell 1970 Cy Faulkner 1967 Julie Fliehler 1955 Wendy Harris 1950 Everette “Buzz” Hill 1968 Tom Jarman 1965 Doug Johnston 1937 Paul Lancaster 1984 Les Malmquist 1936 Dave McDowell 1968 Steve McRoberts 1978 John O’Neil 1957 Bill Scholl 1969 Dick Simmons 1950 Dave Skonberg 1964 Brett Stamm 1982 Hal Taussig 1951 Kai Togami 1982 Scott Torppey 1982 Pictured above: In 2009, Toby Boltz was a Division III All-American Jon Tuin 1983 in the 184-pound weight class. Boltz became the first Wheaton wrestler to earn All-American accolades since 2003. Gil Waterman 1976 Pete Willson 1950 4 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational

Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Wr e s t l i n g Co a c h i n g St a f f He a d Co a ch Jim Gr u e n w a l d As s t . Co a ch Jim Gruenwald is 2008 as a National Champion; he also Sc o t t To r p p e y entering his second won titles in 2003 and 2004. Scott Torppey is in his first season as year as the head Gruenwald is a 1994 graduate of Ma- assistant wrestling coach at Wheaton wrestling coach for ranatha Baptist Bible College, earning a College for the 2010-2011 campaign. the Thunder wrestling Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Math Scott is also the longtime voice of the team in 2010-11. Education in 1994. He compiled a four- Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational as Gruenwald, a two- year record of 154-19 on the mat in his its public address announcer. time member of the career at Maranatha. Gruenwald was Torppey is a 1982 graduate of US Olympic Greco a three-time National Christian College Wheaton College, and he was a deco- Roman wrestling Athletic Association (NCCAA) National rated member of the wrestling team. team, comes to Wheaton after serving Champion, earning MVP honors in 1989 He was named the 1981 CCIW “Out- as an assistant coach for US Greco Ro- and 1991. A former Wheaton Invitational standing Wrestler” and was an indi- man wrestling team at the US Olympic Champion, Gruenwald is a member vidual champion at the Wheaton In- Education Center in Marquette, Michigan of Northwestern University’s Midlands vitational. Torppey was inducted into since 2005. Gruenwald finished sixth at Invitational Tournament 20-Win Club, the Wheaton Athletics Hall of Honor in 60 kg in the greco roman competition at with 22 career victories at the prestigious 1999. the 2000 Olympics in and was tournament. Torppey has been the founder and 10th at the 2004 Olympics in . A Jim and his wife Rachel have five owner of Central DuPage Orthotics three-time US Champion, Gruenwald children: son Adin and four daughters, since 1983. completed his competitive career in Arwyn, Ava, Autumn, Aleyse.

Co l l e g e Co n f e r e n c e o f Il l i n o i s a n d Wi s c o n s i n Ch a m p i o n s f r o m Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin was formed on April 26, 1946, as the College Conference of Illinois. The Wheaton wrestling program has won six CCIW team championships through the years, the second most of any conference school. Wheaton’s championships have come in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1976, 1977 and 1981. On nine occasions, Wheaton grapplers have been named the conference’s “Outstanding Wrestler”: Randy Ellison (1977); Brett Stamm and Scott Torppey (1981); Brett Stamm (1982); Paul Lancaster (1984); Dave Meyer (1988); Matt Ecker (1990); Paul Elsen (1995 and 1997); and Sean Collins (2003). Below is a listing of Wheaton’s CCIW Champions through the years. Wrestler Wt. Class Year Wrestler Wt. Class Year Wrestler Wt. Class Year Matt Acker 150 1990 David Hirt 184 2003 Tony Nord 125 2001 Matt Acker 158 1989 Doug Howard 142 1974 Tony Nord 133 2003 Dan Albinson 167 1986 Winston Hurlburt HWT 1957 Henry Nuss 147 1958 Mickey Best 150 1989 Winston Hurlburt 191 1958 Henry Nuss 157 1957 Mickey Best 158 1988 Brad Jarman 145 1968 Dave Ober 167 1983 Toby Boltz 174 2007 Rob Kime 190 1984 Bob Oury 157 1958 Toby Boltz 174 2008 Paul Lancaster 177 1983 Brian Oxley 177 1971 Bryan Brunk 150 1996 Paul Lancaster 177 1984 Doug Pound 167 1973 Greg Campbell 152 1969 Paul Lancaster 190 1981 Bill Scholl 177 1969 Caleb Campbell 167 1997 Paul Lancaster 190 1982 Brent Skorup 141 2008 Chase Campbell 285 2007 Dave Leaman 115 1969 Brett Stamm 167 1980 Roy Carlson 191 1957 David Leaman 123 1968 Brett Stamm 177 1981 Sean Collins 149 2002 David Lindberg 147 1957 Brett Stamm 177 1982 Sean Collins 149 2003 Tom Littauer 177 1977 Chuck Stuber 130 1957 John Dale 142 1987 Mark Macy 158 1985 Chuck Stuber 137 1958 Chad Downie 126 1995 Mark Macy 158 1986 Gene Taylor 123 1957 Randall Ellison 190 1977 Kevin McCarthy 118 1977 Paul Teasdale 177 1957 David Elsen 167 1995 Steve McKenzie 150 1986 Kai Togami 134 1980 Paul Elsen 177 1994 Steve McRoberts HWT 1975 Kai Togami 134 1981 Paul Elsen 177 1996 Steve McRoberts HWT 1976 Scott Torppey 142 1979 Paul Elsen 177 1997 David Meyer 118 1988 Scott Torppey 142 1981 Paul Elsen 190 1995 Chris Moberly 126 1976 Scott Torppey 142 1982 James Ferris 123 1958 Chris Moberly 126 1977 Gil Waterman 134 1976 Scooter Hill 158 1997 Chris Moberly 126 1979 Dan Weber 157 2000 Scooter Hill 167 1996 Gil Mucher 167 1957 Dan Weber 165 2001 David Hirt 184 2001 Steve Myers 191 1968 Steve Wilderson 167 1989 David Hirt 184 2002 Steve Myers 191 1969 Damian Wyman HWT 1999 5 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational

2010-11 Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Wr e s t l i n g Te a m Name Wt. Class Yr. Hometown/High School Matthew Cordell 149/157 Jr. Poulsbo, Wash./North Kitsap Matt Fenlason 174 Jr. Colorado Springs, Col./Air Academy Cameron Fox 157/165 Fr. Parker, Colo./Valor Christian Jason Geick Hwt. Jr. Burlington, Mass./Shasheen Tech Rocky Gingg 197 Sr. Phoenix, Ariz./Phoenix Christian Casey Krahn 141/149 So. Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Lutheran Justin Marble 184 Sr. Forest Grove, Ore./Forest Grove Matt McCrary 165/174 Fr. Wilmette, Ill./New Trier Logan Meurer 149/157 Fr. Ashton, Ill./Ashton- Franklin Center Jon Sesso 157/165 Sr. Barrington, Ill./Barrington

Head Coach: Jim Gruenwald (Second year) Assistant Coach: Scott Torppey

2010-11 Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Wr e s t l e r Bi o s Ma t t h e w Co r d e l l Ma t t Fe n l a s o n Class: Junior. Hometown: Seattle, Wash. High Class: Junior. Hometown: Colorado Springs, school: North Kitsap. Weight class: 149/157. Colo. High school: Air Academy. Weight class: Major: History. 174. Major: Applied Health Science. 2010-11: Has picked up seven wins heading into 2010-11: Is in his first year on the wrestling team the tournament...has victories by fall against Kin after spending the previous two years on the Vong of Knox, Ricardo Rosas of Lakeland and Thunder baseball team...picked up his first col- Jonathan Rhine of Maranatha Baptist. 2009-10: legiate win with a pin against Joseph Vinokuroff Posted a record of 12-19 on the year...took third of Maranatha Baptist at the Concordia Open. place at the CCIW Championships and seventh High School: One year varsity...named Most place at the Manchester Classic. 2008-09: Finished the season with Improved...also played baseball and football...National Honor Soci- an 11-24 record...took fourth place at the CCIW Championships. ety...Student Body President...went on mission trips to the Dominican High school: Three year varsity starter and two year team captain... Republic, Peru and Mexico. reached the wrestling state tournament...also played football. 6 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational 2010-11 Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e Wr e s t l e r Bi o s Ca m e r o n Fo x Ja s o n Ge i ck Class: Freshman. Hometown: Parker, Colo. Class: Junior. Hometown: Burlington, Mass. High school: Valor Christian. Weight class: High school: Shasheen Tech. Weight class: 157/165. Major: Business/Economics. Heavyweight. Majors: Psychology and Biblical & Theological Studies. 2010-11: Has picked up four wins so far in his debut season with the Thunder...took fifth place 2010-11: Has won three matches so far this at Manchester College’s “Spartan Mat Classic”. season. 2009-10: Wrestled in four matches High School: Two years on varsity...2010 All in his debut season with the Thunder...took League...2009 All League Honorable Mention... fourth place at the CCIW Championships. High also played football and baseball...FCA...took School: Four years on wrestling team. two mission trips to Mexico. Ca s e y Kr a h n Ro ck y Gi n gg Class: Sophomore. Hometown: Sheboygan Class: Senior. Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz. High Falls, Wis. High school: Sheboygan Lutheran. school: Phoenix Christian. Weight class: 197. Weight classes: 141/149. Major: undecided. Major: Applied Health Science. 2010-11: Has picked up two victories so far 2010-11: Is in his first year on the wrestling team this year. 2009-10: Posted a 10-21 record in after completing a stellar four-year career at run- his debut season with the Thunder...took fourth ning back for the Thunder...picked up his first col- place at the Manchester Spartan Mat Classic legiate win with a fall against Deagon Brechbill of and fourth place at the CCIW Championships. Southern Indiana at Manchester’s “Spartan Mat High school: Four year varsity starter...also Classic”...has a 2-4 record so far this year...on participated in soccer and track. the football field he finished as the No. 4 rusher in Wheaton history with 2,513 rushing yards along with 31 touchdowns scored. Ma t t McCr a r y Class: Freshman. Hometown: Wilmette, Ill. u s t i n a r b l e High school: New Trier. Weight class: 165/174. J M Business/Economics. Class: Senior. Hometown: Forest Grove, Ore. Major: High school: Forest Grove. Weight class: 184. 2010-11: Has picked up three wins since joinging Major: Elementary Education. the team in January. High School: Two year var- sity starter...team captain...CSL All-Conference... Has compiled a record of 26-8 so far 2010-11: also played football and lacrosse...Spanish this season...Justin has won 16 of his last 18 Honors Society. matches entering the weekend...took third place at the North Central Invite and the MSOE Invite, as well as a fifth place showing in the Concordia o g a n e u r e r (Wis.) Open...took fifth place at the Spartan Mat L M Class: Freshman. Hometown: Ashton, Ill. High Classic.. Led the team in victories with a record of 36-10... 2009-10: school: Ashton- Franklin Center. Weight class: won 18 of 20 matches during a stretch late in the season...named 149. Majors: History/Social Science and Sec- CCIW Wrestler of the Week twice during the season...finished in ondary Education. second place in five different tournaments this year, including the CCIW Championships, Knox Invite, MSOE Invite, North Central 2010-11: Is in his debut year with the Thunder. Invite and Manchester Spartan Mat Classic...took third place at the High School: Four year varsity starter...team Wheaton Invitational...finished in fifth at the NCAA Regional and the captain...All-Conference...Academic All-Con- Concordia (Wis.) Open. 2008-09: Finished the year with a record of ference...also played football and baseball... 21-20...named to the NWCA All-Academic team...placed five times National Honor Society...High Honor Roll. on the season, including third place at the CCIW Championships, fourth place at the Coe College Invite, fourth place at the North Central Invite, fifth place at the NCAA Regional and sixth place at Jo n Se s s o the Wheaton Invitational. 2007-08: Compiled an 8-10 record in his Class: Senior. Hometown: Barrington, Ill. High rookie season with the Thunder. High School: Three years varsity school: Barrington. Weight classes: 165/174. wrestling…finished 5th in the state in 2006…won state tournament Majors: Communication. in 2007...also ran cross country and track. 2010-11: Has posted a record of 6-4 so far this season, battling injuries on the year...took fourth place at the North Central Invite. 2009-10: Compiled a 3-2 record before missing the rest of the season due to injury. 2008-09: Missed the season due to injury. 2007-08: Finished the year with a 12-14 record at 157 and 165 pounds...took third place at the North Central Invite. High School: A three-time state quali- fier at Barrington High School…Set overall win record…Two-time conference champion…Served as captain for two seasons. Other: Also is a member of the Wheaton College football team.

7 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Distinguished Fo r m e r Wh e a t o n Wr e s t l e r : Di c k Gi e s e r It takes Dick Gieser a minute to think of all the places charitable work has taken him over the years. The list is long and diverse – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jordan, Syria, China, Mongolia, Bolivia, Ghana, Nigeria, India and most recently, Sudan. Even with all his international travels, Wheaton is where the Giesers ultimately call home. The name Gieser and Wheaton are inseparable, in fact. The family has lived in the area since the 1930s. Five generations have passed through the doors of Wheaton College, including a notable succession of doctors. Dick’s house is almost a stone’s throw from the college campus – about 200 yards. With all that history and tradition established, Dick Gieser (Class of 1959) has also blazed a legacy for him- self both at his alma mater and within the medical com- munity. Fond memories of his collegiate wrestling career have kept Gieser involved in the program years later. The parental example of service to others has also been car- ried on through his medical mission endeavors. Wrestling at Wheaton Wrestling at Wheaton College was a natural fit for Dick, a decision he never thought twice about. As a high school student at Wheaton Academy, his wrestling coaches Bill Willson and Wendall Harris were both alums of the col- lege. Dick’s father was also a former grappler on the mat for the Crusaders. Gieser wrestled for Wheaton’s team from 1955-59 un- der head coach George Olson and was a captain his ju- Dr. Dick and Marjorie Gieser after receiving the 2010 Humanitarian of the nior and senior years. Longtime Wheaton head wrestling Year from Baylor University College of Medicine. coach Pete Willson (Class of 1950) recalled that Dick Photo provided by the Gieser Family was a “tough, scrappy little guy who didn’t give in to any- body.” “I was never a good wrestler, never placed at a tournament,” Gieser said. “But I had great fun on the team with the guys. My closest friends in college were the other wrestlers.” It was during these formative years when Dick also met his future wife Marjorie, who was also part of the class of 1959. Gieser graduated with a B.S. in General Science and the couple got married the Christmas after graduation. Looking back at his collegiate days, Gieser claims the two most important things he did in his time at Wheaton was wrestling and being a counselor at the college-owned Honey Rock Camp in northern Wisconsin for five years. “You learn independence, courage and discipline as Dick Gieser Career Highlights a wrestler, which is not easy to learn as a student without that experience,” Gies- - Graduated from Wheaton College in 1959 with a B.S. in General er said. “Discipline is a huge part of the Science. sport. It’s an important thing to obtain.” - Received medical degree from Baylor University. - Residency was at the Illinois University Eye and Ear Infirmary and Gieser Roots in Wheaton completed a fellowship in retinal surgery at New York Hospital. The Gieser roots in the city of Wheaton - Works as a doctor at the Wheaton Eye Clinic, which was established and Wheaton College run back to Dick’s by his father P. Kenneth Gieser, M.D. in 1942. father – Dr. P. Kenneth Gieser. Kenneth - Clinical Professor Emeritus at Loyola Medical School. graduated from Wheaton in 1930, mar- - Has taught at medical schools in China, India, Pakistan, Bulgaria, ried fellow student Catharine Kirk, and Romania, Nigeria, Uganda, Siberia, Afghanistan and Sudan. then headed off to medical school at - Named 2010 Humanitarian of the Year by Baylor University College of Northwestern University. Medicine. A few years later, the couple felt called - Named 2000 Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the American to serve overseas with Dr. L. Nelson Bell Academy of Ophthalmology. in China. The Giesers lived in China from 1934-40 with Kenneth serving as an eye 8 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Distinguished Fo r m e r Wh e a t o n Wr e s t l e r : Di c k Gi e s e r - Co n t i n u e d doctor as part of his medical missionary work. The Giesers eventually returned to the United States and Dr. Gieser opened his medical practice in 1942. His work in China helped convince him to found the Wheaton Eye Clinic in 1950. The clinic specialties be- gan with contact lenses and by the 1970s, shifted to ophthalmic subspecialties and the beginning of laser eye surgery. Now over 60 years later, the Wheaton Eye Clinic and its 24 board-certified physicians is the largest privately-held eye clinic in the Midwest, serv- ing over 120,000 patient visits a year. Besides his professional service to the community, Kenneth Gieser was greatly involved at Wheaton College in a number of areas. He served as Chair- man of the Board of Trustees, President of the Board of Directors of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and member of the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Gieser-Wheaton connection continues on today. Five generations of Giesers have gone to Wheaton College, including Dick and Marjorie’s children – Stephen Gieser (Class of 1984), Wendy Partain (Class of 1985) and Susan Cassell (Class of 1988). Dick’s brother Dr. David Gieser is also the cur- rent Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Susan’s family is still local, living only a block away Dick Gieser (top) wrestling in his Wheaton College days. from the college library. “I love being a part of the col- Photo provided by the Gieser Family lege community,” she said. “It’s a great place to live. We go to lots of sports events on campus. We also work with the college group at College Church, and usually have 50 kids over Sunday nights throughout the year.” Pete Willson has known Dick and the Gieser clan going back to his days as a student at Wheaton. “Dick’s name came up so much,” Willson said. “First of all, he’s a Gieser. I knew his father. When I was in school at Wheaton, my brother Bill and I worked for his father doing some carpentry work. So I got to know them fairly well. The Gieser name is an important name in Wheaton.” Medical Missions After graduating from Wheaton, Dick Gieser earned his medical degree from Baylor University, his ophthalmology resi- dency was at the Illinois University Eye and Ear Infirmary and he completed a fellowship in retinal surgery at New York Hospital. Professionally, Gieser has worked at the Wheaton Eye Clinic for 40 years and is also a Clinical Professor Emeritus at Loyola Medical School, where he taught several days a week for 38 years. Dick Gieser says he was born into the mission field – both literally and figuratively. He was born in Kuling, China in 1937 during his family’s time as medical missionaries. That itch to be in the interna- tional field helping people was ingrained in him from that point on. Even with all the professional obligations, Dick and Marjorie made it a priority to get involved in medical missions during the summers. The Giesers spend two to six weeks each year abroad in developing countries, with Dick teaching retinal surgery to doctors and giving eye checkups to the locals. Marjorie, an artist by training, paints mu- rals at various locations, including seven in India and six in Sudan. She spends her time in the states making large-scale banners for 50 churches, including Edman Chapel on Wheaton’s campus. Her ban- ners are hanging in Baghdad, Jerusalem, Dresden, Herfordshire, Dr. Gieser doing an eye exam in Khartoum, Sudan. and Coventry Cathedral in England. Photo provided by the Gieser Family 9 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational

Distinguished Fo r m e r Wh e a t o n Wr e s t l e r : Di c k Gi e s e r - Co n t i n u e d Dick has learned a lot in his time overseas and feels appreciative to have the ability to serve in such a manner. “Christians need to give of their time. That’s how I like to give,” Gieser said. “It’s been an educational process for our family. It’s made me sensitive to developing countries. We’ve made a wide spectrum of international friends. It makes me more embarrassed about materialism in Amer- ica. Everyone in America should spend time abroad. It’s made me more sensitive to the plight of foreigners.” Their travels have taken the Giesers everywhere from South America, to the Middle East, to Asia and now cur- rently Africa. They’ve made the trip to India seven times, but have spent the last seven years in Khartoum, Sudan. Each year in Sudan, the Giesers have visited a leprosy camp where Christian ophthalmologists treat the people. Dick said it’s inspiring to watch that kind of service. But the trips are not limited to just the parents. It became a family affair for their three children as well. The young- est daughter Susan has come along to China, Afghanistan and Honduras. “If you asked all of us what it was like, each kid would have a different answer,” Cassell said. “That’s what we did growing up. It was hard and rugged. There were some scary elements to those trips as well, with the people we met, the conditions, the unpredictable schedule. But I loved the trips. I have very fond memories of the people we came into contact with and the things we did. While our friends would go to Disney World or the Grand Canyon, we would go to Afghanistan and Honduras.” Years later, Susan still recalls specific stories from her favorite trip to Afghanistan detailing the cultural experi- ences that made a lasting impression. Dr. Gieser at a leper camp in Sudan. “We were sitting in a rickety bus on the Khyber Pass, Photo provided by the Gieser Family and no one spoke English,” Cassell recalled. “All the win- dows were open, because it was such a hot day. At some stops, townspeople would come up to the bus with water cans on a stick that they would put through the windows for the passengers to drink. But we couldn’t drink it because it was so dirty. “Also, we were driving in a VW minivan though the desert countryside. When the bus stopped, people would just gather around the bus. They saw foreigners and they were desperate people who wanted their problems fixed. They thought we as Americans could fix anything.” Susan also went to northwest China as a junior in high school. Located west of the Gobi Desert, the population was more Russian and Mongolian than ethnic Chinese. As Americans, the Giesers were easy to pick out both in looks and stature. “We were the only white people there. I was only 5-foot-1 but I was tall there,” Cassell said. “Everyone wanted to touch my blonde hair. We just stuck out so much. They loved my dad. They just wanted to know common eye remedies that would be so elementary here, stuff that everyone knows.” While the medical missions are meant purely as a way to serve the less fortunate, they have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Gieser was named Humanitarian of the Year by Baylor University College of Medicine in 2010 and was awarded the Out- standing Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2000. Giving Back to Wheaton Two to three times a week, you can see Dick Gieser on Wheaton’s campus, usually working out at the Sports and Recre- ation Complex. He will also pop in occasionally into the wrestling room to watch practices. Willson and Gieser have kept up quite a bit over the years, and the former coach sees that Dick is still very interested in Wheaton wrestling. “When I was coaching here, a lot of times in the summer, I would do whatever I needed to do to keep his house in shape,” Willson said. “I’ve painted his house a number of times, did little odds and ends around his house all the time. So we’ve

10 Pe t e Wi l l s o n Wh e a t o n Invitational Distinguished Fo r m e r Wh e a t o n Wr e s t l e r : Di c k Gi e s e r - Co n t i n u e d kept very close contact. When wrestling has a problem, we usually get together and talk about it and see what we can do to help it. He’s a great friend and a very close friend.” Another way Gieser has stayed connected to the wres- tling program was as part of the search committee formed to find a head wrestling coach for the Thunder in 2009. One of the main targets the com- mittee went after was Jim Gru- enwald – a two-time Olympian who was serving as an assis- tant coach for the U.S. Greco- Roman wrestling team at the Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan. Dick was high on Gruenwald’s resume and experience, and it wasn’t long until Gruenwald and Dr. Gieser on a medical mission trip in Khartoum, Sudan. Wheaton had an agreement. Photo provided by the Gieser Family “I’m a great admirer of him,” Gieser said. “We hope to keep him at Wheaton. I think he’s probably the best Division III coach and he’s got the credentials to back it up as an Olympian and national champion.” Gruenwald and Gieser had several interactions during the coaching search process, and they’ve been more regular now that Jim is in Wheaton. While Gieser has spoken well of Gruenwald, the head coach also sees him as a giving individual who looks out for others. “He struck me as being a quiet man, but what he said was significant,” Gruenwald said. “Since then, we have been to his house on several occasions. He has musical get togethers. He’s had us over for dinner as well. He’s very friendly. I get the impression that Dick seems to be one those individuals who is genuinely concerned about others. I know he had a genuine concern about this wrestling program because of what it did for him. I see him as being selfless, altruistic. He’s very giving both of his time and his resources. Those are the qualities I think of when they ask me about Dick Gieser.” Gruenwald has already seen the many contributions the Giesers have made to his wrestling program – ideas of how to re-engage alumni, monetary donations, and any other support necessary. “Other than maybe Scott Torppey, Dick has probably been in the wrestling room more than any other alumni,” Gruenwald said. “He stops in periodically and watches, which is good. An audience almost inevitably causes the athletes to step up in their performance. Dick’s been a great support to the program.” Willson has witnessed firsthand – as a coach and an alumnus – how valuable Gieser’s availability and encouragement to the wrestling program and coaches has been through the years. “Any time you need something, Dick is always available,” Willson said. “He’s also been a great financial contributor to the Wheaton Invitational, to Wheaton wrestling. If you have a problem, you can go to Dick and he’ll mull it over and almost always do something about it. And it’s always beneficial. He’s a great benefactor to the college in every way, with encourage- ment and finances and prayer. He is spiritually behind us.”

Written by Nathan Lindquist, Wheaton College, Sports Information Assistant. Special thanks to the Gieser Family for providing information and photos for this story.

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Wh e a t o n Co l l e g e ’s Wr e s t l i n g Le g a c y - Th e Na t i o n a l Ch a m p i o n s

Wheaton College has a long tradition of wrestling though the years. The school has seen 23 wrestlers earn NCAA All-American honors through the years, including four individuals who won National Championships: Tom Jarman, Brett Stamm, Paul Elsen and Dan Weber. Stamm and Elsen are the two wrestlers among Wheaton’s 11 athletes to win multiple individual National Championships. In 1963, Tom Jarman became the first athlete from Wheaton to win an individual national championship. Jarman won the title in the 157-pound weight class at the NCAA Small College Division Championships. Wrestling stayed with Jarman following his graduation from Wheaton. In 1969, he took the head wrestling coach position at Taylor University. After a ten-year stay at Taylor he was named the head wrestling coach at Northwestern University for another ten-year stint. In 1989 Jarman was named the head wrestling coach and athletic director at Manchester College, where he has served both roles until his retirement in 2007. In March of 2003 he was inducted into the Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame. Brett Stamm became Wheaton’s second National Champion in wrestling and the first wrestler from the school to win the title twice. The Danville, Pa., native placed fourth as a freshman at the 1979 NCAA Division III National Championships at 167 pounds. He won the national champion- ship the next year in that weight class. In his junior year he again took PICTURED ABOVE: Tom Jarman became the first Wheaton fourth place, this time at 177 pounds, and, true to form, won the national College wrestler to win an individual national championship when he won the 157-pound weight class at the NCAA Small championship in that weight class his senior year. Following his Wheaton College Division Championships in 1963. years, Brett was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Academic/Athletic Scholarship, which he used while completing his master’s degree in teaching at Augustana (S.D.) College from 1982-84. He was also an assistant wrestling coach during his time at Augustana. Brett has returned to Pennsylvania where he teaches and has also coached wrestling there. Paul Elsen compiled a career record of 109-19, earning Division III All-American honors in wrestling three times. Elsen recorded a record of 55-3 in his junior and senior seasons (1995-97), winning the Division III National Championship at 177-pounds in 1996 and 1997. In March of 2003, Elsen was in- ducted into the Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame, the same year that fellow Wheaton alumnus Tom Jarman was inducted. Jarman and Elsen joined Stamm in the Hall of Fame, alongside longtime Wheaton coaches Pete Willson and George Olson. It is believed that the five wrestlers affiliated with Wheaton in the Hall of Fame is the most of any institution. Dan Weber transferred into Wheaton from Indiana University in 1999 and made an immediate impact in his two seasons in orange and blue. As a junior in 1999-2000, he compiled a record of 29-4, finishing third at the National Championships. In 2000- 01 he amassed a flawless record of 25-0 to win the Division III National Championship at 165-pounds. Weber won 93 percent of his matches in his two seasons at Wheaton with an astonishing career record of 54-4.

PICTURED ABOVE: Dan Weber recorded an unblemished 25-0 record on his way to the 2000-01 NCAA Division III Championship at 165 pounds.

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