McMaster University Athletics

As the host of the 1985 CIAU Wrestling Championships, the McMaster Marauders knew they would be in the friendly confines of the Burridge Gym as they grappled for the national title. Led by OUA Coach of the Year Nick Cipriano, the Marauders were a strong team with four members: Paul Bellavia, Lawrence Holmes, Chris Woodcroft and Paul Clatney, being future Hall of Fame inductees. That season the team ended the five-year stranglehold Guelph had on the OUAA championship, by winning McMaster's first provincial crown. Then in front of the home fans, Marauder wrestlers captured three gold, one silver and two bronze medals to tie with Concordia for the National Championship, the first ever for McMaster in wrestling. Coach Cipriano was further honoured as CIAU Coach of the Year. Woodcroft and Holmes would go on to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.