May 20, 2013

For Immediate Release

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Indiana Tech wrestling team is proud to announce the signing of Mitchell Pawlak from Bedford High School in Temperance, Michigan.

“Mitch is graduating with a phenomenal high school wrestling career from Bedford,” said Warrior head coach Mike Ester. “He has received outstanding coaching the last few years in a program that is on the rise to be a premier program in Michigan.”

Pawlak wrestled 125 for Bedford. He placed third at states and had a senior record of 52-2. Pawlak is the #5 ranked wrestler out of all four divisions in Michigan and rated the #50 overall senior wrestling prospect out of the state according to the Michigan grappler.

Pawlak was team captain and won the awards of MVP, Practice Wrestler of the Year, and the Bill and Carroll Regnier award (awarded to the wrestler that best represents the community and the team). He had the best winning percentage of any 125-lbs in the history of Bedford wrestling, was an All-State performer and had 36 pins his senior year. Bedford, as a team, was in the top-8 in Michigan.

As a junior, he was a state qualifier with a record of 42-14 after missing his sophomore season with an injury. Pawlak had an overall high school record of 134-28.

On why he chose Tech Pawlak stated, “The reason I picked Indiana Tech is because it’s an opportunity to be the best with great teammates to be constantly pushing me in the room and in the class room. I am excited about being part of a wrestling team that has such great athletic work ethic and tremendous potential with Coach Ester. Considering a career in law, and the new law school being built, I feel I will get personal attention in the small classrooms.”

“My goals at Indiana Tech are to be a positive influence to the team, help guide the team to winning a national championship and an individual title of my own,” Pawlak said. “I will be going into business administration with the concentration of management in addition pursuing a law degree. I plan on becoming a wrestling coach someday as well.”

Coach Ester added, “Mitch is the leading, incoming candidate, for us to vie for the spot left open (from 2-time All-American Travis Barroquillo moving to 141-lbs next season) that will help shore up what is a very strong contingent of light weights in our line-up. He’s a dedicated, driven, competitive athlete, who has a strong family, work ethic and a passion for the sport. Mitchell has probably yet to peak in his wrestling abilities, and we foresee him making an immediate impact in our room and potentially our varsity line-up next season. We are excited to have him!”

For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2492 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics

 

- Go Warrior Pride -