2013 Wrestling Festival Flyer

Maranatha began its wrestling program in 1969. Olympic gold and silver medalist Ben Peterson coached the team for 27 years and earned a spot in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mike Houck won a gold medal at the 1985 Greco-Roman World Championships, the first U.S. athlete to do so. Maranatha graduate Jim Gruenwald wrestled in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.  More recently, Ben Hoover was runnerup at 165 pounds in the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championship and his 36-2 season record garnered Maranatha’s first NCAA All-American. The Crusaders compete in the Northern Wrestling Association and are coached by Andy Peterson.