JOHN JANIAK, Syracuse ’78 was a 3-time EIWA champion for Syracuse at 158, also placing third as a freshman at 150 in 1974 after a 9-7 semis loss. He was seeded top four at the NCAAs three different times and was a two-time All-American, placing second and third in the nation in his sophomore and senior seasons, in 1975 and 1978.  John overcame shoulder problems to become the Orangemen’s fifth two-time All-American.

      As a sophomore, he reached the NCAA finals with a dramatic 11-8 semifinals win over 3-time All-American and number one seed, Larry Zilverberg, who retired with only four career losses—2^nd best in the history of Minnesota wrestling. Janiak’s sole loss that sophomore season was 7-6 in the finals to Iowa’s Dan Holm (NCAA 3,3,1).  He wrestled and won in the NWCA All-Star Classic in 1976. John was the winner of the EIWA’s Fletcher Award for most career points in 1978 and resides in Camillus, NY.