Wrestling at Knox College has carried on a long-standing tradition of sportsmanship, competitiveness, and excellence for more than 60 years.Jaran Rutledge became the program's first All-American after he placed third at the 2007 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The heavyweight followed that up with an eighth-place showing at the 2008 National Championships to become a two-time All-American.
In 2006, the team joined the Northern Wrestling Association (NWA), a five-team conference that includes Knox and four Wisconsin schools. Prairie Fire heavyweight wrestlers won conference championships in back-to-back seasons: James Wagner '12 in 2011-12 and Stephen Bora '14 in 2012-13. Matt Surprenant added a third straight NWA title at 184 pounds in 2013-14.
The Knox wrestling team faces a difficult schedule each season that often includes the top teams in the nation. The squad also competes in invitationals that feature wrestlers from the Big Ten and other major NCAA Division I conferences.
With outstanding facilities such as the E. & L. Andrew Fitness Center, T. Fleming Fieldhouse, Porter Wrestling Complex, and a dedicated wrestling staff, the Prairie Fire wrestlers focus on being physically and technically prepared for the season.
The Porter Wrestling Complex was dedicated in January of 2007. The complex offers workout space to the wrestling team that includes equipment especially for the use of wrestlers.
Regardless of year in school or experience, each member of the Prairie Fire wrestling team is given ample opportunities throughout the course of the season to vie for the varsity starting weight class. This ensures Knox is being represented by the best wrestler the team has to offer.
Wrestling action for the Prairie Fire begins in November and ends in March. With such a rigorous dual meet and tournament schedule, all wrestlers see competition most weeks of the season. Months of training and competition go into preparation for the regional. The top three placewinners in each weight class and selected others advance to the Division III National Championships.
Knox wrestlers have gone on to a wide variety of successful careers. Brian Droz '97 (Biology) is an assistant scientist at Abbott Laboratories in Wauconda, Illinois. Anthony Spizzirri '98 (Spanish) is a Spanish teacher and wrestling coach at James B. Conant High School in Schaumburg, Illinois. Fred Reifsteck '82 (Biology) is a sports medicine physician at the University of Georgia.
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