Wrestling at Knox College has carried on a long standing tradition of sportsmanship, competitiveness, and excellence for more than 50 years.

Jaran Rutledge became the program's first All-American after he placed third at the 2007 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The heavyweight followed that up with an eighth-place showing at the 2008 National Championships to become a two-time All-American.

In 2006, the team joined the Northern Wrestling Association, a six-team conference that includes Knox and five Wisconsin schools.

The Prairie Fire faces a difficult schedule that includes four of the top five teams in the nation. The squad also competes in invitationals that feature wrestlers from the Big Ten and other major conferences.

With outstanding facilities such as the E. & L. Andrews Fitness Center, T. Fleming Fieldhouse, Porter Wrestling Complex  and dedicated wrestling staff, the Prairie Fire wrestlers focus on being physically and technically prepared for the season.

The Porter Wrestling Complex was dedicated in January of 2007. The complex offers new workout space to the wrestling team that includes equipment especially for the use of wrestlers.

Regardless of his year or experience, each member of the Prairie Fire wrestling team is given ample opportunities throughout the course of the season to vie for the varsity starting weight class. This ensures that the Prairie Fire are being represented by the best wrestler Knox has to offer.

Wrestling action for the Prairie Fire begins in November and continues through the month of February. With such a rigorous dual meet and tournament schedule, all wrestlers see competition most weeks of the season. Months of training and competition go into preparation for the Great Lakes Regional. The top place finishers and selected others advance to the Division III National Championships held in March.

Prairie Fire wrestlers have gone on to a wide variety of successful careers. Brian Droz '97 (Biology) is an assistant scientist at Abbott Laboratories in Wauconda, Illinois. Michale McClay '71 (Psychology, Philosophy) is a psychologist at his own private practice in Boise, Idaho. Anthony Spizzirri '98 (Spanish) is a Spanish teacher and wrestling coach at James B. Conant High School in Schaumburg, Illinois. Fred Reifsteck '82 (Biology) is a sports medicine physician at the University of Georgia.

For more information, submit the Recruit Me form or e-mail wrestling@knox.edu.