1970 NAIA National Champions
The University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling teams in the late 1960s helped establish the tradition of excellence that is still a trademark of Maverick Wrestling today. Coach Don Benning’s teams from 1967-70 were almost unbeatable, registering a 40-2-1 dual meet record. In 1968 and 1969 UNO was the NAIA national tournament runner-up. In 1970, the team UNO couldn’t be stopped.
The team went 14-0 in its dual meets and won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament title with five individual champions. At the national meet in Superior, Wis., UNO was led by Roy Washington, who won the 150-pound title after two straight 145-pound crowns, and Bernie Hospodka, who won the 190-pound championship. Other placewinners included Landy Waller, third at 134, Mel Washington, Roy’s brother, who was second at 177, and heavyweight Gary Kipfmiller, who was third. UNO finished with 86 points to runner-up Adams State’s 58.