Hall of Fame
Those who know wrestling realize it’s similar to cross country at least in one very important regard. While people may think that it’s primarily an individual sport, both are really team sports. In cross county, a team must have five runners finish to allow their scores to count. In wrestling, a team must fill 10 weights or forfeit five points for each vacant weight. When Pasadena/Point Loma College fielded a wrestling team for almost a decade, it struggled often to fill enough weights to allow the wrestlers a genuine opportunity to win as a team. The team had outstanding wrestlers, though not enough.
Rich Walchle established a tremendous collegiate record of 49-12. He was the first four-year letterman and was selected as captain three times. Walchle qualified for the National Wrestling Championships two times.
“He was leader and his sportsmanship was above reproach,” said Lon Tuin, former coach. “He led by example and encouraged all with whom he came in contact. Rich’s quiet steady walk with the Lord also inspired the team. His Christian spirit was evident even to his opponents, several of whom commented to me as the coach about their respect for Rich.”
After school, Walchle married his wife Janna Benson who also attended Pasadena , but graduated from Biola. Their son John attended Point Loma.
The award for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete was presented to Walchle by Coach Lon Tuin.
