PAUL DIEKEL, Lehigh ‘86 was a former New York State champion in Whitehall, NY, who transferred to Lehigh from the University of Oklahoma and became a three-time EIWA champion.  He’s also one of Lehigh’s first twelve three-time All-Americans, while competing at 190 pounds from 1984-1986.  Pauls NCAA places were 3rd, 5th and 6^th and he earned career wins over three wrestlers from Oklahoma, Michigan and Iowa State who became national champions. 

      Diekel had a career mark of 38-3 in dual meets, with three of the wins vs. NCAA champions and each loss to a champion. Paul retired 49-1 against all Eastern competition, winning the EIWA Fletcher Award in 1986.  He runs his own practice as a Chiropractor in Castleton, VT, while the family resides in his native Whitehall. His son, Zach, has been a Lehigh starter after joining Paul as a rare father/son NY state champion duo. They’re one of seven father/son pairings on Lehigh U rosters.