April 29, 2008

NCAA Champion Magazine has named Simpson College wrestler Nick Ackerman's 2001 National Championship victory the No. 1 most dramatic championship victory in NCAA history.

“I think it’s huge,” Ackerman said of the recognition. “I am obviously very honored to be put into that category. To think about all the national championship teams and individuals and all the incredible wins, it’s great to be on that list, let alone at the top of it. It’s very exciting.”

Ackerman, who lost his legs due to bacterial meningitis as a baby, won the 174-pound national championship 13-11 over Nick Slack of Augsburg. At the time, Slack was the defending national champion and entered the contest on a 60-match winning streak. NCAA Champion Magazine's top 10 list encompasses championships over since the start of the 1982-83 season, which also marked the beginning of NCAA Women's Championships.

The complete list can be found at the www.ncaachampionmagazine.org Web site.

NCAA Champion Magazine's Audio Interview With Nick Ackerman can be found via their podcast