Western Colorado University Athletics

The 1963 wrestling team won Western's first official national championship in any sport. The 1963 wrestling team is being honored for its accomplishments in winning the first NCAA College Division national championship. Van Doughtey won the 115 individual title to lead the team, while every other member competing in the national meet placed at least fourth: placing 2nd were Bob Hollingshead, 130; Truman Sandlin, 147; Al Rozman, 191; and Joe Kuhn, heavyweight. Joe Oldfield placed 3rd at 137, while Al Rende and Denny Beaver were 4th at 123 and 167. An injury kept Jess Miller from representing the Mountaineers in the 177-pound class.