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 Wes Caine
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Position:
Wrestling |
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Experience:
1966-69 |
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Year Inducted:
1994 |
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Ranks as second major-college All-America in storied Northern Illinois mat legacy. Earned Division I All-America honors by placing sixth in 123-pound weight class at 1969 NCAA Championships. Two-time NCAA qualifier who lost to eventual national champs Wayne Boyd (Temple) in 1969 as senior and Dan Gable (Iowa) in 1968 as junior. Posted 50-12-1 career won-lost-draw record (.797 winning pct.) under Hall of Fame coaches Bob Brigham (1966-68) and Don Flavin (1968-69). Wrestled three seasons and 64 varsity matches without being pinned. Won (then) unprecedented three straight Northern Illinois team MVP awards (1967-69). Captured prestigious Midlands (130-pound bracket), Coast Guard Academy (130 pounds), and 4-I Tournament (123 pounds) individual titles en route to 26-4-0 Huskie campaign as senior. Defeated three College Wrestling News Honorable Mention All-America picks Phil Parker (Iowa State), Mike Ellis (Michigan State), and Lou Hudson (Michigan) during Midlands run (1968-69). Participated in NCAA East-West All-Star Meet for nation's outstanding seniors at Penn State (1968-69). Served as Huskie team co-captain as senior. Posted 14-6-1-4 won-lost-draw-pin record and placed second at 4-I Tournament at 130 as junior. Notched 10-2-1 mark (unbeaten 9-0-1 in duals) as soph. Honored as distinguished Northern Illinois alum at John Lalonde Scholarship Athlete Banquet (1986). Inducted into Maine South High School Hall of Fame (1981). Placed fourth at IHSA meet at 112 and named team MVP as junior (1963-64).
