| Ben Cherrington |
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The 2006 NCAA National Champion at 157 pounds and a recent graduate of Boise State University, Ben Cherrington is in his first year as assistant coach for the University of Northern Colorado.
Cherrington capped an incredible senior season in March, 2006 when he won just the second individual national collegiate title for a Boise State wrestler. Kirk White won the first in 1999 at 165 pounds.
Following a knee injury during 2005 fall workouts, Cherrington was unable to compete until early January, 2006. When he did step back on the competitive mat, Cherrington was unbeatable, winning 20 straight matches and the 2006 Pac-10 Conference and NCAA National Championships. Cherrington dominated his opponents during his undefeated season winning three by pin, three by technical fall and six by major decision. In both of his final matches for the Pac-10 and national titles, Cherrington faced the same opponent in Arizona State's Brian Stith. At the Pac-10 Tournament he pinned Stith at the 6:21 mark. In the NCAA finals, Cherrington posted a 7-3 decision over the Sun Devil wrestler.
The Pac-10 Championship was the second for Cherrington. After competing in the 157-pound weight class his freshman and sophomore seasons, Cherrington dropped down a weight class in capturing the 149-pound title. All four years of his collegiate career at Boise State, Cherrington advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Cherrington's overall collegiate record was 93-32, including a mark of 54-8 for an 87.1 winning percentage his final two seasons.
During his high school career at Middle Park High School in Granby, Colo., Cherrington compiled a career record of 141-3. Under head coach and father Cal Cherrington, he won three individual state titles, his freshman, junior, and senior years, and placed second his sophomore year. He was named the 2001 3A Outstanding Wrestler at the state tournament his senior season. Cherrington also earned a runner-up finish at the Junior National Freestyle tournament in Fargo, N.D.
