Chelf Named WIAC Wrestler of the Year

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Madison, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Josh Chelf has been named the 2008 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Wrestler of the Year in a vote taken by the league coaches. It marks the second straight season Chelf has earned the honor.

A senior from Irma, Wis. (Tomahawk H.S.), Chelf finished 40-3 this year with a team-leading 20 pins and captured his second consecutive NCAA Division III Championship at 174-pounds. He was named the 2008 Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet after finishing 4-0 in the tournament. Chelf earned the national title with a win by major decision (13-2) over Tyler Jentz of Coe College (Iowa).

With the victory over Jentz, Chelf became the second wrestler in school history to win two national titles, joining Ryan Allen (285-pound titles in 2004, 2005, 2006). Chelf is also the third wrestler in UW-L history to earn four career All-America awards, joining Allen and Jason Lulloff. Along with his national championships in 2007 and 2008, Chelf placed third in 2006 and sixth in 2005. He finished 14-4 in four tournament appearances.

He won three WIAC titles at 174-pounds (2006, 2007, 2008) and placed second once (2005). Chelf, who was selected the WIAC Co-Wrestler of the Meet at the 2008 tournament, was also named the league’s scholar-athlete this season. He captured the 174-pound division at the 2008 Pete Willson Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational with a 5-0 record and was selected the George Olson Outstanding Wrestler. Chelf also earned the Jack Swartz’s Most Falls/Least Time Award at the Wheaton Invite, finishing with three falls in a time of 4:50.

Chelf ends his career with a record of 153-24, ranking second in school history in victories.