Northwestern University Athletics
Future Wildcats Shine at Ironman Tournament
12/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 11, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Mike Benefiel (Aurora, Ill./Montini Catholic) and Ben Kuhar (Concord Twp., Ohio/St. Edward), who recently signed National Letters of Intent to attend Northwestern next fall, reached the finals of the prestigious Ironman Tournament held last weekend in Cuyahoga Falls. Benefiel won the 171-pound title while Kuhar fell in the finals of the heavyweight division.
Benefiel, who won four matches to take the title, is currently the top-ranked high school prospect in the nation at 160 lbs. and is ranked sixth overall by intermatwrestle.com. He has captured three Illinois State High School championships, was the Cadet Freestyle National Champion in 2004 and earned All-America honors at the Junior Freestyle National Championships in 2006.
"Mike is one of those wrestlers that comes around once every three or four years," assistant coach Andrew Pariano, who attended the event, said. "He is the full compliment of athleticism, accomplishment and desire. He showed these traits this past weekend and we couldn't be more pleased with his efforts."
Kuhar, who won four matches in the heavyweight bracket but fell in the finals, is a product of the storied St. Edward's High School wrestling program. Current Wildcats Ryan Lang, Keith Sulzer, Kyle Bertin and assistant coach Ryan Bertin all graduated from St. Edward's. Kuhar captured the Freestyle Cadet National Championships in 2004 and 2006.
"Ben has only been in the wrestling room for a week following football season and he reached the finals of the Ironman," Pariano said. "We believe that Ben is one of the most athletic heavyweight wrestlers in the entire nation."
The Ironman tournament is known as one of the most prestigious events on the high school tournament calendar.
"The Ironman is a tournament the tests the best high school wrestlers in the country," Pariano said. "Northwestern was one of just a handful of colleges/universities that had two wrestlers in the finals. We continue to recruit the best student-athletes in the country and that is why it is essential for us to watch them compete in this environment."
The Wildcats have compiled an 8-0 record to start the dual season, the best start in the head coach Tim Cysewski era and the best since the 1985-86 season.
The 'Cats will head to Reno, Nevada for the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 20 before returning to Evanston for the 44th annual Midlands Championships held at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Dec. 29-30.
Full biographies of Northwestern's signees appear below
Michael Benefiel
6-0 • 174/184
Aurora, Ill./Montini Catholic
High School: Career record 145-4 ... Three-time High School Champion at 119, 140 and 152-pounds ... Cadet National Freestyle Champion (2004) ... Ironman Champion (2004) ... All-American at Junior Freestyle National Champioinships (2006) ... Member of Illinois National Championship Junior Dual team (2006) ... Rated No. 1 high school prospect at 160 lbs. and No. 6 overall by Intermatwrestle.com.
Personal: Born Michael Benefiel on 6/12/88 ... Son of Dr. Dan and Reneé Benefiel ... High school teammate of current Wildcat Vincent Colletti ... Chose Northwestern over Minnesota, Iowa State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Nebraska and Michigan.
Robert Kellogg
5-9 • 157/165
Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North
High School: Career record of 120-16 ... Junior National Greco-Roman National Champion (2006) ... Brute-Adidas Folkstyle National Wrestling Champion at 152 lbs.(2006) ... Three-time All-American at USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals ... Cadet Freestyle All-American (2005) ... FILA Cadet All-American in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle (2006) ... Member of 2006 Junior National Greco-Roman Team Champions ... Rated No. 5 high school prospect at 152 lbs. by Wrestling USA Magazine.
Personal: Born Robert Henry Kellogg on 1/6/89 ... Son of Jeff and Nancy Kellogg ... Will be enrolled in McCormick School of Engineering ... Chose Northwestern over Iowa State, Stanford, Columbia and Pennsylvania.
Ben Kuhar
6-2 • HWT.
Concord Township, Ohio/St. Edward
High School: Career record of 50-13 with 29 pins ... Two-time Cadet Freestyle National Champion (2004, 2005) ... Won 30 matches and reached state finals sophomore year ... St. Edward is currently ranked No. 1 high school program by Amateur Wrestling News ... Ended sophomore season as No. 1 ranked heavyweight prospect in the nation for the class of 2007.
Personal: Born Bennett Elmer Kuhar on 1/16/89 ... Son of Kevin and Laurie Kuhar ... Attends same high school as current Wildcats Ryan Lang, Kyle Bertin and Keith Sulzer ... Plans to major in engineering ... Chose Northwestern over Minnesota and Stanford.
