MIKE NATVIG, Army ’63 never won a state title in his native Iowa, despite placing second twice.  He attended the University of Iowa one year before becoming the only Army wrestler to win an NCAA title. He successfully defended his win by repeating in 1963.  Natvig’s first title was eye-opening, as the unseeded Cadet avenged an 11-4 EIWA finals loss at 157 to one of Lehigh’s best-ever grapplers, Kirk Pendleton (NCAA 2,2,1). Mike used an effective figure four to help edge Kirk, 5-4, in the national finals down at 147 one week later.

      As a senior, Natvig justified his top seed by beating #2 seed, Lonny Rubis, Minnesota. It was the second straight Nationals that he beat Rubis.  In his career, Mike owned two shutouts vs. Dick Slutzky, Syracuse (NCAA 2,4). A native of Osage, IA, Natvig established a home in Littleton, CO, working for Wagoner Equipment Company of Denver, a caterpillar dealer. Mike was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1984.