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 was the interim head coach
during the 2009-10 season before the interim tag was removed after
the conclusion of the 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.