Pete Guthrie (1982) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Pete Guthrie

Induction:
1982
Class:
1966

1963-65
Wrestling
‘66
Despite having a very successful athletic career at UA, Peter Guthrie prefers to dwell on his coaching record at his alma-mater. Indeed, Guthrie, who guided the Zip wrestlers from 1969-75, did not have a losing record all six seasons as his team won 40, lost 20 and tied five. His 1972-73 team gave him best season-10-2-1 and went on to finish 13th, the highest in UA wrestling history, in the NCAA II. Guthrie was responsible for developing three All-Americans, Dan McGrath in 1971, Mike Turnbull in 1973 and Greg Kesselring (118), who earned All-American honors twice by finishing third in 1973 and sixth in 1974. Guthrie came to UA in 1962 via Wooster College as a standout wrestler and football player. After sitting out his mandatory year, the Solon, Ohio native labored under the tutelage of Gordon Larson in football and Andy Maluke in wrestling. Guthrie played offensive guard and lettered in 1963 and ’64 as the Zips managed two successive 6-3 seasons. Guthrie had the uncanny ability to play football at 215 pounds and then reduce down to wrestle at 167. It was in wrestling where “Guts,” as he was nicknamed, found his greatest success. During the 1963-64 season he won nine of his 11 matches and finished fourth in the Ohio Conference (OC) Championships. He bettered that mark as a senior while wrestling in three weight classes, 177, 191 and heavyweight—unheard of in this day. Guthrie used his team leading 9-0-1 mark as a springboard to capturing the 191-pound OC Championship which helped UA finish second to Baldwin-Wallace. His OC Championship qualified him for the NCAA Small College Championship where he earned All-American honors by winning three of five matches and finished third—the highest finish by any Zip wrestler until his pupil, Kesselring, matched in 1973.