Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is pleased to announce the Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Seven distinguished individuals have been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame, in recognition of their significant contributions to the sport of wrestling.
The honorees will be officially inducted at the annual banquet to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, July 28, 2023, during the NWCA's Annual Convention. The Class of 2023 includes Brian Allen, Minga Batsukh, Michael Blair, Lucas Malmberg, John Malvik, Mark Matzek, and Bebeto Yewah.
Brian Allen is an accomplished wrestler and coach with over 30 years of experience. He is going into his 25th season as Johnson & Wales University's associate head coach and has helped produce 56 D3 All-Americans, 85 Academic All-Americans, 46 Regional Champions, and 157 All-Region Wrestlers. Allen has received numerous awards, including six Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and two National Assistant Coach of the Year honors. As a collegiate wrestler, Allen was a two-time All-American and has a career record of 141-33. He was inducted into the inaugural NEWA Hall of Fame, the RIC Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Burrillville Hall of Fame.
Minga Batsukh is an undeniable legend in Saint John's University wrestling history. As the only three-time national champion in the program's history, Batsukh dominated the NCAA Division III competition, winning titles at both 141 pounds in 2009 and 2010, and 149 pounds in 2011. His final season was his most impressive, with a remarkable 27-1 record, including setting the program record for takedowns in a match with 17. Batsukh's outstanding skills on the mat and impressive career earned him the well-deserved title of outstanding wrestler in the nation at the Division III level by D3wrestling.com during his senior year. His legacy as one of SJU's all-time greats will continue to inspire future generations of wrestlers for years to come.
Michael Blair is a Trinity College graduate and one of the most dominant student athletes in the college's history. He earned 9 varsity letters in wrestling, football, and track. Blair was a 4-time New England Champion and a 4-time NCAA All-American in wrestling, with a career record of 125-10 and 40 falls. He was the only wrestler in the 50+ year history of the New England Wrestling Association Conference to achieve this feat. In football, Blair received multiple individual awards, including league rookie of the year, most valuable player, and All-American. He was also All New England for shot put in track and field. Blair won the George Sheldon McCook Trophy as Trinity College's Most Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in 2006. He earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Trinity College. Blair was inducted into Trinity College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
Lucas Malmberg is a Messiah University wrestling legend, having achieved unprecedented success during his career. He was a four-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA champion. During his senior year, he was the only Division III wrestler to podium at the prestigious Midlands Tournament, finishing sixth. Malmberg holds the program records for career wins, career takedowns, and single-season takedowns, and he is second in program history for career win percentage and career nearfalls. He also earned NWCA Scholar All-American honors three times and graduated with both a B.A in Christian Ministries and a Master's degree in Counseling from Messiah University.
John Malvik is a highly respected figure in Augustana wrestling, having been involved with the program since his freshman year in 1967. After a successful college wrestling career, he pursued law and has become one of the most distinguished lawyers in the Quad Cities. In addition to his legal work, Malvik has remained involved with Augustana wrestling in numerous ways over the past 50+ years, including serving as a volunteer assistant coach, tournament director, donor, alumni relations coordinator, and mentor. He has played a key role in coordinating multiple NCAA regional and national tournaments, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the program, and contributing personally to three wrestling room expansions/improvements.
Mark Matzek, a former wrestler and national champion coach, left an indelible mark on Augsburg University's wrestling program. Matzek's wrestling career at Augsburg was marked with numerous accolades, including three All-American honors, two national titles, and a 129-21 record. He was part of two national championship teams and two national runner-up squads. Matzek was also a CoSIDA Academic All-America first-team selection in 2005 and was named an Augsburg Honor Athlete that same year.
After serving as an assistant coach for three seasons, Matzek became the head coach in 2008 and led the team to top-10 finishes in each of his six seasons at the helm. The team won the national championship in the 2009-10 season and finished as national runner-up in 2008-09, 2010-11, and 2011-12. Matzek's contributions to the program have solidified his place as one of the program's most successful wrestlers and coaches.
Bebeto Yewah made a significant impact on the sport during his time at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He was a dominant force in the 133-pound and 141-pound weight classes, finishing his career with a remarkable 89-8 record. Yewah was a three-time NCAA Division III All-American and won two national championships during his time in college. He took home the 133-pound title in 2010 and the 141-pound title in 2011, before finishing as the runner-up in the 141-pound division in 2012. Yewah was also a three-time WIAC champion, winning the 141-pound title in 2011 and 2012 and the 133-pound title in 2010. He was named the WIAC John Peterson Wrestler of the Meet in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and the WIAC Wrestler of the Year in 2010-11. Yewah's success on the mat earned him a spot on the All-WIAC All-Time Team.
Division III Hall of Fame Banquet Info
Date: Friday, July 28
Location: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Tickets: https://www.nwcaconvention.com/shop/product/160916
Lodging: https://book.passkey.com/gt/218690981?gtid=a56461889fcbb288feddf6b2f91d08de
