EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern wrestling will celebrate alumni weekend by welcoming back the 1990 team when the Wildcats take on in-state rival Illinois Sunday at 2 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Wildcat team that finished third at the Midlands, third at the Big Ten Championships and fourth at the NCAA championships. That performance is tied with the 1932 and 2007 squads for the best finish in school history at the national tournament.
Several members of the 1990 team put forth outstanding individual efforts that season and in their careers as Wildcats.
Jack Griffin was the best wrestler in the country at 118 lbs., winning the 1990 national championship and Big Ten title. The conference crown was his second in a row after also winning it in 1989. Griffin is the all-time leader in wins at Northwestern with 156 and was a two-time All-American. He lost only one dual meet match in his entire career. He was named an alternate for the 1992 Olympic team and served for six seasons as a Northwestern assistant coach.
Brad Traviolia won 40 matches in 1990, finished runner-up at the NCAA championships at 167 lbs. and joined Griffin at the top of the Big Ten podium. Traviolia was named a 1990 All-American, joining Griffin, Mike Funk and Matt Case as the four Wildcats to earn the prestigious accolade.
Funk was a four-time All-American and was the first Northwestern athlete in any sport to achieve that feat. He finished second in the Big Ten Championships at 177 lbs., third at the Midlands and fourth at the NCAA Championships. He won a career-best 35 matches during the 1990 season. Funk would go on to win a Big Ten title in 1991.
Case was an All-American at 190 lbs. and a fourth-place finisher at the NCAA Championships. He finished third in the Big Ten that season. Toby Willis was an NCAA qualifier at 158 lbs. and put together a solid 1990 campaign, finishing third at Midlands and fourth in the Big Ten.
The 1990 team will be introduced at intermission of Sunday's meet.
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