Hall of Fame
The 1973-74 powerlifting squad was a remarkable group…the team posted an undefeated regular season and its only defeat was a close decision to Villanova at the National Weightlifting Championships, in Long Beach, California…despite not having any competitors at the two heaviest classes, the Chargers fell to Villanova, 50-45…it was the Cliff's only championship loss in three seasons competing against the likes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, just to name a few, winning 11 championships in those three seasons…the team also produced Briar Cliff's first-ever national champion, Tom Tedrow, a 123-pounder…joining Tedrow on the national runner-up squad were Joe Tedrow (132), Chuck Thatcher (148), Tim Woodle (148), Joe Handlos (181), Kevin Heinrichs (181), Ted Gaul (198), Steve Wendehl (198) and Greg Deman (220)…Bob Bjerke (123) was injured and therefore did not compete at the National Weightlifting Championships…the team was under the direction of head coach Dr. Thomas Baechle and assistant coaches Rich "Rico" Clark and Jeff Paulson.
