Ben Cherrington
The 2006 NCAA National Champion at 157 pounds
and a graduate of Boise State University, Ben Cherrington is in his
third year at the University of Northern Colorado and is serving as
the interim head coach during the 2009-10 season.
Cherrington capped an incredible senior season
in March, 2006 when he won just the second individual national
collegiate title for a Boise State wrestler. Kirk White won the
first in 1999 at 165 pounds.
Following a knee injury during 2005 fall
workouts, Cherrington was unable to compete until early January,
2006. When he did step back on the competitive mat, Cherrington was
unbeatable, winning 20 straight matches and the 2006 Pac-10
Conference and NCAA National Championships. Cherrington dominated
his opponents during his undefeated season winning three by pin,
three by technical fall and six by major decision.
In both of his final matches for the Pac-10 and
national titles, Cherrington faced the same opponent in Arizona
State's Brian Stith. At the Pac-10 Tournament he pinned Stith at
the 6:21 mark. In the NCAA finals, Cherrington posted a 7-3
decision over the Sun Devil wrestler.
The Pac-10 Championship was the second for
Cherrington. After competing in the 157-pound weight class his
freshman and sophomore seasons, Cherrington dropped down a weight
class in capturing the 149-pound title.
All four years of his collegiate career at Boise
State, Cherrington advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Cherrington's
overall collegiate record was 93-32, including a mark of 54-8 for
an 87.1 winning percentage his final two seasons.
During his high school career at Middle Park
High School in Granby, Colo., Cherrington compiled a career record
of 141-3. Under head coach and father Cal Cherrington, he won three
individual state titles, his freshman, junior, and senior years,
and placed second his sophomore year. He was named the 2001 3A
Outstanding Wrestler at the state tournament his senior season.
Cherrington also earned a runner-up finish at the Junior National
Freestyle tournament in Fargo, N.D.