Gruber Chosen To WIAC All-Centennial Team

Former UW-Oshkosh standout Rick Gruber has been named one of the 26 members on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) All-Time Wrestling Team.

Gruber (Campbellsport • Campbellsport High School) won 91 percent of his matches during a UW-Oshkosh career that spanned from 1981-84. While posting four NCAA Division III All-America finishes, Gruber led UW-Oshkosh to its lone WIAC title in 1982.

Gruber compiled a 131-13 career record and won at least 32 matches every season. He placed fourth at the NCAA Division III Championship in 1981, second in 1982, third in 1983 and fifth in 1984.

Gruber posted a 32-3 record in 1981 and captured the first of four straight WIAC championships at 118 pounds. In 1982, Gruber won 32 consecutive matches en route to a 32-1 record. Gruber then compiled records of 33-3 in 1983 and 34-6 in 1984.

UW-La Crosse accounted for 12 positions on the all-time team with Ryan Allen (2003-06), Josh Chelf (2005-08), Paul Corner (1985-89), Jake Larsen (2004-07), Dan Laurent (2007-10), Jason Lulloff (2003-07), Matt Mauseth (2008-11), Jeff O’Gara (1993-96), Jason Ott (1999-2002), Brandon Penzkover (1993-96), Mike Schmitz (2009-present) and Bebeto Yewah (2009-present).

Three members of the squad came from both UW-River Falls and UW-Whitewater. The former Falcons receiving recognition were David Brandvold (1983-85), Paul Frandsen (1981-83) and Brian Keller (1983-86). UW-Whitewater’s selections featured Tim Carmin (1979-82), Robb Llorca (1989-92) and Terry Schuler (1985-88).

The remaining all-time picks consisted of UW-Eau Claire’s Derek Sikora (2003-06) and Davey Starks (2000-03), UW-Stout’s Dale Evans (1970-73) and Corey McCauley (1991-94), UW-Stevens Point’s Perry Miller (1995-98) and Yan White (2000-04) and UW-Superior’s Jerry Brusletten (1972-75).

The WIAC selected UW-Whitewater's Willie Myers (1969-2004) as its all-time coach.

The WIAC is recognizing the outstanding individuals from the league's 100-year history. All-time teams are being selected in those men's and women's sports that have been classified as "championship" sports at some point since 1913. Additional teams will be released on a weekly basis throughout much of the 2011-12 academic year.

All-time team members will receive certificates from the conference and it is hoped that most, if not all, of the recipients will be in attendance or represented at the WIAC Centennial Banquet in Madison on Aug. 4, 2012.

More information on the activities and events associated with the WIAC Centennial is available at www.wiacsports.com.