Mark Massery (Wrestling, 1970-73)
As a sophomore n 1971, Massery established a then-Northwestern record with 31 wins en route to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and earned All-America status for the first time. When he graduated in 1973, Massery held the school record (since bettered) with 72 career wins.
He continued his wrestling career after college by competing in several international meets and preparing for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He won the Amateur Athletic Union title in 1975 at Bloomington, Ind., and also earned the World Cup championship in 1975. That four-team championship, held at Toledo, Ohio, featured national teams from the U.S.S.R., Canada, Mongolia and the United States. As the country's top 125-pounder, Massery represented the United States in the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City where he placed third and the '75 World Championships in Minsk, U.S.S.R. where he finished fourth.
Massery's goal of competing in the 1976 Olympics fell short when he was injured in the finals of the United States Olympic Trials.
He ended his competitive career on a high note when he captured the 1976 Midland Championship here at Northwestern.
In addition to his contributions on the mat, Massery also served wrestling as one of two active-athletes' representatives to the United States Wrestling Federation.
Massery, who captured two Illinois state championships as a prep at Savanna High School, remains very close to the sport. He is a past president of the Wildcat Wrestling Club, an organization that was founded in 1981 to aid the development of world-class amateur wrestlers. The WWC works with the wrestlers at every level and sponsors local and national competitions. The club as sent its athletes all over the United States and Europe to compete. Massery has been active with the WWC since its inception and has served as one of its part-time coaches. And to make his coaching tips more direct, he will get on the mat from time to time.
