Kirk Pendleton
Kirk Pendleton
Year: '63
Team: Lehigh

      KIRK PENDLETON Lehigh ’63 lost only two bouts as a wrestler, both in the National finals. He finished 1-1 against Oklahoma State’s Phil Kinyon (NCAA 1,2,2) and Army’s Mike Natvig (1,1). Kirk beat the Cadet, 11-4, in the EIWA finals at 157 one week before the result was reversed, 5-4, one weight down in the NCAA finals. Pendleton avenged his sophomore finals loss (3-0 to Kinyon) by beating the 29-year old senior, 5-2. Kirk’s career mark was 64-2 (.970), second-best in Lehigh history. On defense, his average points yielded also ranks 2nd-best.  He pinned 33 men, or 50% of all bouts; under today’s rules, 67% of his wins would be bonus. He’s one of three LU grapplers selected twice as EIWA Outstanding Wrestler and is the only Lehigh wrestler ever to retire unbeaten in duals. He defeated a third eventual national champion, Pitt’s Jim Harrison.

      A longtime resident of Bryn Athyn, PA, Pendleton is a former chairman of Pitcairn, involved with management of finances and more recently President, CEO, of Cairnwood, Inc. in Bryn Athyn. His son, Lane, Lehigh ’91 was a two-time EIWA placewinner.