Mark Churella

July 02, 1957 - Present

During Mark Churella's four years at the University of Michigan, the school saw one of its most notable athletes reach incredible achievements.

He showed great promise of the things to come his freshman year when he placed third in the NCAA wrestling tournament, and began his reign as a three-time Big Ten Champion. He highlighted his collegiate career by becoming the university's first three-time NCAA champion.

He set a goal in high school to pin everybody he wrestled. He only fell short by one. He continued this goal into college, where he is Michigan's leader in recording dual meet pins for the season with eight in two different seasons. Twice he had five consecutive falls.

Churella is a member of the University of Michigan's "Hall of Honor," and is a charter member of the state of Michigan's Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In 1977, he was also the U.S.W.F. Grand National champion, and in the same year he captured the Junior World crown.

While serving as head coach at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, Churella inaugurated the Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational Tournament, which is still one of wrestling's most prestigious preseason competitions.

He continued to contribute to wrestling when he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach from 1984-86. He now contributes to his local high school wrestling program with three sons involved in wrestling.

By becoming one of the greatest wrestlers to compete for the University of Michigan and promoting wrestling on the local, state, and national level, Mark Churella is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
1999
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1979
School
Michigan
Tournament
Division I
Weight
167
Place
1
Season
1978
School
Michigan
Tournament
Division I
Weight
150
Place
1
Season
1977
School
Michigan
Tournament
Division I
Weight
150
Place
1
Season
1976
School
Michigan
Tournament
Division I
Weight
150
Place
3

College Season Records:

Season
1979
School
Michigan
Class
Senior
Bouts
46
Wins
44
Losses
2
Ties
0
Falls
13
Win PCT.
95.65
Place
1st
Season
1978
School
Michigan
Class
Junior
Bouts
25
Wins
23
Losses
2
Ties
0
Falls
0
Win PCT.
92
Place
1st
Season
1977
School
Michigan
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
32
Wins
30
Losses
2
Ties
0
Falls
0
Win PCT.
93.75
Place
1st
Season
1976
School
Michigan
Class
Freshman
Bouts
42
Wins
35
Losses
7
Ties
0
Falls
0
Win PCT.
83.33
Place
3rd
Season
Career
Bouts
145
Wins
132
Losses
13
Ties
0
Falls
13
Win PCT.
91.03

All Rankings:

Season
1979
Rank Date
11/18/1978
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
12/09/1978
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
12/23/1978
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
01/13/1979
Weight
158
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
01/27/1979
Weight
167
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
02/10/1979
Weight
167
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1979
Rank Date
02/24/1979
Weight
167
Rank
1
School
Michigan
Season
1978
Rank Date
02/18/1978
Weight
150
Rank
1
School
Michigan

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations