McFarland Inducted into Michigan Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame
4/29/2019 2:06:00 PM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former University of Michigan head wrestling coach Joe McFarland was inducted into the Michigan chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame yesterday (Sunday, April 28) during a banquet and ceremony held at Weber's Inn.
McFarland, who retired last spring after 19 seasons at the helm of the Wolverine program, was inducted for his lifetime service to the sport of wrestling. Under his leadership, Michigan captured three Big Ten dual-meet championships (2004, '05, '06) and earned 11 top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships (2001-08, '16-18), including an NCAA runner-up performance in 2005 and a fourth-place finish in 2018.
He ranks third on Michigan's head coaching career wins list (214) behind legendary head coach Cliff Keen (274, 1926-42, '46-70) and his own collegiate coach, Dale Bahr (221, 1979-99). McFarland led 31 different student-athletes to five NCAA individual titles, 60 All-America citations and 19 Big Ten individual crowns.
A four-time NCAA All-American (1981-82, '84-85) during his own competitive career at Michigan, McFarland compiled a 166-24-4 career record, which still ranks him third in program history for victories, while his 48 wins during the 1983-84 season are the most recorded by a Michigan wrestler in a single season. He was a two-time NCAA finalist at 126 pounds (1984, '85) and won the Big Ten crown in 1984.
Internationally, McFarland was a silver medalist at the 1986 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He captured the 1987 Tblisi Tournament bronze medal before winning the 1988 World Cup Championship, where he defeated the Soviet Union's world champion Hazar Isiev in the gold-medal match.
In addition, the Pantaleo family was presented the chapter's fourth annual Family Legacy Award. Joe Pantaleo (1986-89) and Alec Pantaleo (2015-16, '18-19) were both All-Americans at Michigan. Joe was a two-time NCAA finalist at 158 pounds, while Alec was a three-time All-American at 149 and 157 pounds and captured a Big Ten title last season. The Pantaleos are the fourth family with strong Michigan ties to garner the award, joining the Amine, Churella and Keen families.
Cameron Amine, who is set to become the sixth member of the Amine family to wrestle at Michigan, was named the Michigan High School Male Wrestler of the Year. A three-time Michigan state champion and four-time finalist, Amine finished his prep career with a sterling 167-15 record.
Players Mentioned
