As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.
Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
1980 Wrestling compiles 17-1 record, 8-0 in SCIAC
The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps wrestling program had its most dominant season in 1979-80, winning both the SCIAC regular season and SCIAC Tournament titles and finishing 17-1 in duals overall. The only loss came early on to Biola, but the Stags responded with 15 wins in a row, with the closest of those meets still by a convincing 39-16 margin. The team won 28 individual medals at four tournaments, including 16 first-place finishes. Five of those first-places came in the SCIAC, with Scott Graeser (126), Jon Kurohara (150), Calvin Miles (167), Doug Rubino (190) and Phil Wilson (heavyweight) each taking individual championships. CMS also had four runner-ups with Todd Crusan (118), Eric Ifune (134), Matt Lopez (142), and Scott Schubert (158) as the Stags had finalists in nine of the 10 weight classes.
The 1980 season began a five-year stretch in which the Stags dominated SCIAC competition in the final five years that the sport was offered, going 40-2 in league meets in that span, including 8-0 records in 1980, 1982 and 1984, with only the 1983 team (7-1) missing out on a league championship in that stretch. Doug Rubino was the SCIAC's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1981, when he repeated as SCIAC Champion for the 16-1 Stags, along with Mario Pinedo and Kevin Reuter.
Scott Graeser:
What stood out to me the most that season was how the team coached itself. As a football coach, Coach Howell didn't know much about wrestling and often joked about it. As I understood it, the team didn't have a coach, so Howell graciously stepped in that season to keep the program going. He was very supportive and was definitely our best cheerleader!
However, that setup meant we had to coach ourselves, and it was that overall collaborative effort that sticks out the most to me. We ran the practices and decided what the rules were and what drills and scrimmages we did. We pushed and supported each other, and I don't recall discipline ever being an issue. And it was the seniors, especially Jon Kurohara, Phil Wilson, and my brother (Chris), who made it all work. They really stepped up and led the team, they kept us together, and on track. I think that was the deal the seniors had all along with Coach Howell. He agreed to be the figurehead, but they had to coach. They did, and we had a great season!!
Doug Rubino:
I was the CIF Southern Section heavyweight champion in 1979 and although I had wrestling scholarship offers from several colleges and universities, my high school wrestling coach (John S. Dahlem) and Phil Wilson (CMC '81) encouraged me to apply to CMC. I enjoyed wrestling for CMC (I was undefeated in SCIAC wrestling matches all four years) and I am thankful for the outstanding education I received.
1979-80 Wrestling Roster
Head Coach: Jerry Howell
Assistant Coach: Chip Hammond
Todd Crusan (118, CMC)
Chris Graeser (142, CMC)
Scott Graeser (126, CMC)
Steve Green (134, CMC)
Mike Hall (177, CMC)
Bob Holland (118, HMC)
Eric Ifune (126, CMC)
Jon Kurohara (150, CMC)
Matt Lopez (142, CMC)
Calvin Miles (167, HMC)
Rob Mobley (177, CMC)
Ken Okamoto (134, CMC)
Mario Pinedo (158, CMC)
Doug Rubino (190, CMC)
Leo Russell (167, CMC)
Scott Schubert (158, HMC)
Jon Schwartz (142 CMC)
Mark Stafford (177, CMC)
Jim Weiseneck (167, CMC)
Phil Wilson (Heavyweight, CMC)
