Brad Penrith
In Section IV during the late 1970s and early 1980s, perhaps one of the names that brought trepidation to all lightweight wrestlers was Penrith.
In this time frame the Penrith brothers, Brad and Bret, caused many wrestlers and their coaches to lose a night's sleep. Arguably one of the best brother combinations in the history of wrestling in Section IV, the Penriths won tournament after tournament. Many wrestling historians were comparing them to Mark and Randy Payne from Sidney in the 1960s.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to honor one of the greatest wrestlers to represent the section, Brad Penrith.
During his four years at Windsor High School, Brad finished fourth, third and first in the New York State Wrestling Tournament that was held at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, New York.
Following graduation, Brad joined the legendary Iowa Hawkeyes led by Coach Dan Gable and proceeded to accomplish much more. In 1986 as a sophomore, Brad won the Big Ten Championships and was named the Outstanding Wrestler. He then won the 126-pound championship at the NCAA Championships in Iowa City, helping Iowa win the team title.
He captured Big Ten titles as a sophomore and junior and advanced to the NCAA finals both years.
Brad also made his mark at the international level before retiring in 1996, capturing a silver medal at the 1991 World Championships and a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1989 and 1991. He also finished third at the 1994 Goodwill Games while capturing two Sunkist Open titles and two Roger Coulon titles. He competed in the 1989 World Championships and finished third at the World Cup in 1990 and 1991. He was a three-time U.S. Nationals champion and finished third at the Olympic Trials in 1996 and second at the Final Olympics Wrestle-Off in 1992.
He also had an outstanding career as a college coach, beginning as a graduate assistant coach for Iowa. He was an assistant coach at Arizona State for two years and for one year at Boise State. After working as an assistant coach for the University of Nebraska from 1992 to 1997, he became an assistant coach at the University of Northern Iowa.
Brad became head coach for the Panthers 2001 and was named Rookie Coach of the Year by Amateur Wrestling News.
He coached the United States team to a bronze medal finish at the 1999 Junior World Championships.
Brad's success as a wrestler and coach exemplifies the very best in our sport.
After concluding his coaching career, he joined Mudd Advertising in Cedar Falls, Iowa, embarking on a very successful career.
Brad and his wife, Laura live in Cedar Falls with their three children, Gabriel, Jacob and Grace.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud and privileged to honor Brad with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.
Awards:
Year
2017
|
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
|
Chapter/Region
New York - Upstate
|
Year
2005
|
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
|
Chapter/Region
National
|
All American Awards:
Season
1988
|
School
Iowa
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
126
|
Place
2
|
Season
1987
|
School
Iowa
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
126
|
Place
2
|
Season
1986
|
School
Iowa
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
126
|
Place
1
|
College Season Records:
Season
1988
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Senior
|
Bouts
44
|
Wins
41
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
4
|
Win PCT.
93.18
|
Place
2nd
|
Season
1987
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Junior
|
Bouts
17
|
Wins
15
|
Losses
2
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
1
|
Win PCT.
88.24
|
Place
2nd
|
Season
1986
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Sophomore
|
Bouts
15
|
Wins
14
|
Losses
1
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
2
|
Win PCT.
93.33
|
Place
1st
|
Season
1985
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Freshman
|
Bouts
21
|
Wins
16
|
Losses
5
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
1
|
Win PCT.
76.19
|
Place
DNW
|
Season
Career
|
Bouts
97
|
Wins
86
|
Losses
11
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
8
|
Win PCT.
88.66
|
All Coaching Dual Records:
Season
2010
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
22
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
12
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
45.45
|
Season
2009
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
16
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
62.5
|
Season
2008
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
13
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
5
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
53.85
|
Season
2007
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
17
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
9
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
41.18
|
Season
2006
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
18
|
Wins
8
|
Losses
8
|
Ties
2
|
Win PCT.
44.44
|
Season
2005
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
15
|
Wins
8
|
Losses
7
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
53.33
|
Season
2004
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
16
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
62.5
|
Season
2003
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
18
|
Wins
12
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
66.67
|
Season
2002
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
15
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
8
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
46.67
|
Season
2001
|
School
Northern Iowa
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
19
|
Wins
11
|
Losses
8
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
57.89
|
Season
Career
|
Duals
169
|
Wins
90
|
Losses
75
|
Ties
4
|
Win PCT.
53.25
|
All Rankings:
Season
1988
|
Rank Date
12/14/1987
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|
Season
1988
|
Rank Date
12/31/1987
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|
Season
1988
|
Rank Date
02/22/1988
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|
Season
1988
|
Rank Date
03/07/1988
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|
Season
1988
|
Rank Date
03/17/1988
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|
Season
1987
|
Rank Date
03/19/1987
|
Weight
126
|
Rank
1
|
School
Iowa
|