Wade Schalles


Wade Schalles is an American wrestler, who while representing Clarion University of Pennsylvania was an NCAA Division I champion in 1972 and 1973, winning the outstanding wrestler award in 1972. He created unique wrestling maneuvers and was known for pinning a large percentage of his opponents. Schalles is an inductee of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A name recognized nationally as one of the top wrestlers ever in collegiate circles, Wade not only rewrote Clarion records but also NCAA Division I and international records as well.
From 1970 to 1974 he amassed an unbelievable record of 153-5-1 and an NCAA record 106 pins. A four-time NCAA champion, he was NCAA Div. I champion in 1972 at 150 pounds and in 1973 at 158 pounds, and was twice named "Outstanding Wrestlers at nationals.
Named by the Amateur Wrestling News in the late 1980s as the “most exciting wrestler to ever walk on a wrestling mat in the sport”, he was named in 2005 to the NCAA & NWCA 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, one of only 15 collegiate wrestlers named to the All-Time team.
The first wrestler in PSAC history to win four individual conference titles and be named Outstanding Wrestler at all four PSAC Championships, Schalles also was a World Collegiate Champion and was named United States Athlete of the Year in 1976, among many other awards.
A 1969 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School, he came to Clarion and wrestled from 1970 to 1974, graduating from Clarion with a secondary education degree in 1974. He served as an assistant coach at Arizona State, head coach at South Dakota State, Clemson, and Old Dominion
Schalles is currently director of the Eagle Hawk Academy, a wrestling instruction school.. As well as teaching internationally as part of the Scientific Wrestling team