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Two Former Wrestlers to be Inducted into EIWA Hall of Fame
2/19/2003 2:12:56 PM | General
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Former Syracuse wrestlers Chris Catalfo and John Janiak will be inducted into the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Hall of Fame during the EIWA Championships to be held at Cornell University on March 7-8.
Catalfo was a three-time EIWA champion at 150 and 158 pounds from 1981-1983. He was a top-five seed at nationals three different times and was ranked as high as second in the nation. In 1982 and 1983, Catalfo recorded a fifth place finish at the NCAA tournament and became one of eleven multiple Orangemen All-Americans. He competed in the East-West All-Star Classic following the 1982 season. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman team in 1984 and finished seventh at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Janiak was also a three-time EIWA champion at 158 pounds and placed third as a freshman at 150 pounds in 1974. He was a top-four seed at the NCAAs three different times, while becoming the fifth two-time All-American at Syracuse, garnering the honor in 1975 and 1978. He placed second and third in the nation during those seasons. As a sophomore, he reached the NCAA finals with a dramatic 11-8 semifinals win over three-time All-American and number one seed, Larry Zilverberg, who retired with only four career losses. He was the winner of the Fletcher Award in 1978.
Catalfo and Janiak join two other Syracuse wrestlers in the Hall of Fame. Gene Mills was inducted in 1998 and Jim Nance in 1999.
