Over the years, many wrestlers made their marks on the University of Wisconsin wrestling program. From 1989-1992, Matt Demaray etched his name in the Badger record books and will be honored August 29 as an inductee into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame.
Demaray’s list of accolades includes two NCAA Championships at 150 lbs (1991, 1992), a three-time All-American and two-time Big Ten Conference Champion. He is also one of just four Badger grapplers to win back-to-back NCAA Championships.
The conference also honored Demaray with the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1992 and for his efforts away from the mat as an Academic All-Big Ten member for the 1992-93 season.
To this date, Demaray’s perfect 42-0 record during the 1990-91 season sits atop the UW season record for winning percentage. He also ranks second all-time in career wins with 150 and is fifth overall in career winning percentage (.862, 150-24).
His storied career did not stop at UW. Demaray competed at the World Championships and World Cup of Freestyle in 1993 and was named an NWCA All-Star in 1991 and 1992.
Demaray is just the second member of the wrestling program inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. Lee Kemp was the first wrestling inductee in 1991. The Wisconsin wrestling team will also honor its former members with the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Talbot Wrestling Complex during the Wrestling Alumni Reunion Sept. 28.
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