Crusader Wrestlers Fall to the Raiders
January 19, 2010
WATERTOWN, Wis. – In their final home dual of the season, the Crusader wrestlers faced the Raiders of MSOE on Tuesday night and lost 44-0. Full Story
Wrestlers Show Improvement at Al Hanke Invitational
January 16, 2010
ELMHURST, Ill. – Seven Crusader wrestlers competed at the Al Hanke Invitational hosted by Elmhurst College on Saturday. The Crusaders showed improvement as they continued gaining experience. Full Story
Wrestlers Compete at the Lakeland Multi-Duals
January 9, 2010
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Four Crusader wrestlers competed at the Lakeland Multi-Duals on Saturday. The Crusaders went 0-3 in the duals against UW-Oshkosh, Lakeland College and Wheaton University. Full Story
Crusader Wrestlers Participate at the MSOE Invitational
December 5, 2009
MILWAUKEE – The Maranatha wrestling team participated at the MSOE Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 5. Full Story
Crusader Grapplers Defeat the Pioneers 30-15
December 1, 2009
WATERTOWN,Wis. – In their first home meet of the season, the Maranatha wrestling team defeated the Northland Pioneers 30-15. More
Crusader wrestlers participate in the Concordia Open
November 21, 2009
MEQUON, Wis. – The Maranatha wrestling team had the opportunity to learn and grow at the Concordia Open this past weekend. Full Story
Dual Against Northland Postponed to December
November 23, 2009
WATERTOWN, Wis. - The wrestling dual scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24 between Maranatha and Northland International has been moved back a week to Tuesday, Dec. 1at 6 p.m.
Peterson Named Head Wrestling Coach
April 29, 2009
WATERTOWN, Wis. - Maranatha Baptist Bible College is pleased to announce that Andy Peterson has accepted the position of head wrestling coach. Peterson, a 2003 graduate of Maranatha, has also earned a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University. Full Story
Hoover Finishes in Fifth Place, Earns All-American Recognition
March 7, 2009
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Benjamin Hoover, a senior wrestler at 165 pounds for Maranatha Baptist Bible College, took fifth place at the NCAA III National Wrestling Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday. Full Story
If Ben Hoover never wins a national wrestling championship, he can live with that. But, before he graduates from college, he’d like to understand just exactly what the apostle Paul was getting at when he wrote all those letters.
“The reason I came here was, I wanted to learn more about God and His Word,” Hoover said. “I didn’t get saved until I was 18. I felt so inadequate. I knew nothing about Bible history, the Old Testament, any of that. You need to really know God to be able to teach people about God, and I want to be the best teacher I can be.”
Hoover transferred to Maranatha last fall and became the school’s first NCAA All-America athlete when he finished second in the Division III national tournament at 165 pounds. The senior math education major from Noblesville, Indiana, hopes for another shot at the gold medal in 2009 while completing his final season of athletic eligibility and looking forward to his work as a teen counselor at a Christian summer camp.
Wrestling took first place in Hoover’s life for most of his first 20 years. He was third in the Indiana state high school tournament as a senior, then joined his brother on the team at Manchester College. He was 22-7 as a freshman before being sidelined by a knee injury. He was 34-6 as a sophomore, losing in the regional finals to the eventual Division III runnerup.
But, as he continued to win, God continued to work in his heart.
“My parents (Charlie and Jean) are incredible people who love Jesus,” Hoover said. “They raised me right, and they have been incredibly supportive. They have missed one match of mine since fifth grade, and that was because I told my dad not to drive nine hours in the snow to see us at Northland last year.
“When I was growing up, I could talk about Jesus, but it was just something I said. It wasn’t real. Then, one day, I heard a message on Jonah. I said to myself, ‘When am I going to jump off this boat? When am I going to put all of my trust in Christ, not in myself?’ That was the day I really became a Christian.”
Hoover knew he wanted to deepen the understanding of his faith in a college setting, but also wanted to continue wrestling. He chose Maranatha.
“He could have gone anywhere, but he came here and stayed here,” wrestling coach and Dean of Students Doug Richards said. “He has become a very strong leader. He really cares about the other team members. It’s not all about him. He’s a real godly young man as well as an exceptional wrestler.”
Hoover admits the adjustment from a private college to a Bible college was a rough one initially (“I didn’t even know what a ‘demerit’ was until I came here.”) He is now a prayer captain in his dorm.
The adjustment in wrestling proved much smoother. Hoover finished 36-2 as a junior, winning a regional championship and wrestling his way into the NCAA finals. Tyler Burkle of Coe (Iowa) won the championship match, 9-4, but Hoover became Maranatha’s first All-American athlete since the school joined the NCAA in 1999.
Hoover said he believes he could have beaten Burkle, had he been wiser in his tactics. He also says the same thing about his only loss so far this season, 11-5 to Justin Hanson of Wartburg (Iowa) during the Concordia Open. Hanson came into that tournament ranked No. 5 nationally, while Hoover was No. 2.
“I need to stay healthy and refine my technique,” Hoover said, “but wrestling smart is always going to be a key for me.”
Richards said solid technique is Hoover’s key to success. Hoover said he generally is a bit quicker on his feet and works better from on top than most of his peers. He also spent last summer in the Camp of Champs program with three-time Olympian and former Crusaders coach Ben Peterson, who proved an invaluable resource.
Winning a national championship remains Hoover’s goal for this season. But it’s not his only focus.
“I’ve never really aspired to be a national champion,” Hoover said. “I’ll do my part. I’ll get up early and run and work out. I’ll eat properly and get the rest I need. I’ll make sure my relationship with God is right.
“I want to be the very best I can be, but winning is no longer the only thing for me. My mentality is different. One day I won’t be here. There will be no chapel for me to go to. No one will be pushing me to read my Bible. I will be a teacher and a coach, and I’ll be expected to be a positive influence and share Christ. I want to be ready for that. That’s my goal now.”
--Posted by Andrew Call, 12-15-08
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