Fronhofer is New Head Coach for Columbia Lions Wrestling

Posted on | June 30, 2011 | No Comments

Des Moines, Iowa

When Brendan Buckley announced his departure from Columbia some thought the program he nurtured would end up suffering. Not so. The Columbia Athletic department moved swiftly to solidify its coaching staff. They looked and found no one better to lead this proud program than one of their own, Carl Fronhofer.

Former assistant coach Carl Fronhofer is a former All-American at the University of Pittsburgh, and former member of the US national team who joined the Columbia wrestling coaching staff in August 2008.

Fronhofer’s presence was felt after one season on the Lions’ coaching staff. Working primarily with heavyweight Ryan Flores, Carl coached him to an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) title in 2009. In doing so, Flores became the first Columbia wrestler to win a conference title since 1995.

He knows what it takes to compete and to win!- Fronhofer qualified for the World Team Trials after winning the Northeast Senior Regional Freestyle Championships in early April 2009. He went on to place second at the trials, earning a spot on the US National Team at 85 kilograms.

Fronhofer spent two seasons as the top assistant at Bloomsburg University. Prior to his time with the Huskies, Fronhofer spent three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. During his coaching tenure, Fronhofer helped coach five of his student-athletes to All-American honors.

As a collegiate competitor Fronhofer accumulated a record of 123-39 while wrestling for Pitt, ranking third in the Panthers’ record book for wins. During that span, Fronhofer qualified for the NCAA’s each of his four years.

He capped his illustrious career by earning All-America honors as a senior, after reaching the NCAA finals at 174 pounds. By doing so, he became the first All-American for the Panthers in three years, and was the first NCAA finalist for the program in 13 years. That same season, Fronhofer was named Academic All-American, and the 2003 Eastern Wrestling League Wrestler of the Year.

Fronhofer translated his collegiate success to the senior level as well, earning Greco-Roman All-American honors four times from 1999-2002 and Freestyle All-American honors in 2005. His placement at the US Open Championships qualified him for the US World Team Trials in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2009.

Fronhofer graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 with a degree in sociology.

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