University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

    Carlton Haselrig, a Johnstown, Pa. native, is the most decorated athlete in Pitt-Johnstown history.  Mr. Haselrig won six heavyweight NCAA National Wrestling championships—three at the Division I level and three at the Division II level.  Mr. Haselrig holds five Pitt-Johnstown all-time wrestling records, as well as an overall career record of 143-2-1, which equates to a .979 winning percentage.  Mr. Haselrig never lost a match in the Division I National Tournament (15-0 record and three titles), and he never lost or tied a Division II opponent.  His six titles were unprecedented and will remain so because the NCAA no longer allows wrestlers to compete in both division tournaments.  Also, during his Pitt-Johnstown tenure, Mr. Haselrig grappled his way to an NCAA record of 122 consecutive matches without suffering a loss.
    In 2005, Mr. Haselrig was named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team, which included other notable heavyweights, such as NCAA and Olympic champion Kurt Angle, who Mr. Haselrig had defeated during his college wrestling career.
     While in high school, however, Mr. Haselrig was forced to wrestle freestyle during the summer because a high school wrestling program was not available to him.  But, after taking an interest in Mr. Haselrig’s career, local individuals convinced the Greater Johnstown School board to allow Mr. Haselrig to represent Johnstown High as an independent “one-man team” as a senior. He posted a 10-0 record and won the Pennsylvania AAA State Heavyweight Title.
     In 1989, Mr. Haselrig was a 12th-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he went on to be selected as a Pro Bowl offensive lineman without ever having played college football.  Mr. Haselrig currently is training and managing mixed martial arts fighters and wrestlers at Cold Steel MMA & Wrestling in Johnstown.  He also is involved with youth wrestling and football in the greater Johnstown area.
     “I’m very pleased and honored to be included as one of the former student-athletes who will be recognized for posterity and very thankful, especially to Coach [Pecora], and all who’ve helped me achieve great things in sports, and, more importantly, assisted me with preparing for life.”
     Mr. Haselrig and his wife Michelle reside in Johnstown.  The Haselrigs have nine children:  Cameron (18), Jordan (18), Demetrius (17), Jade (16), William (15), Cortez (11), Cantara (10), Carlton, Jr. (8) and Carlee (6).