University of Minnesota Athletics
Tim Hartung - M Club Hall of Fame
Tim Hartung
Class of 2010
Wrestling: 1996-99
Tim Hartung was the star of the era that brought Golden Gopher wrestling to national prominence. He was a letter winner from 1996-99 and a three-time All-America from 1997-99. In 1998 at 190 pounds, he won his first of two national titles, becoming Minnesota's first national champion since 1991. As senior in 1999 he moved up to 197, won his second NCAA title, and became head coach J Robinson's first two-time national champion. Hartung was just the second two-time NCAA champ at Minnesota and the first in 50 years (Verne Gagne, 1948-49).
With Hartung leading the charge the Gophers won the Big Ten title in 1999, the programs first since 1959, and ended Iowa's 25-year run of championships. Hartung won his third individual Big Ten title that season as the Gophers topped the Hawkeyes by an 18-point margin.
The Gophers finished third, second and second respectively at the NCAA Championships in Hartungs final three seasons, the best three-year stretch in program history at the time. In 1999, as he won his second NCAA title, Minnesota narrowly missed on its first team national title, finishing just two points behind champion Iowa.
Hartung won the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was Big Ten Wrestler of the Year in 1999. He ended his career third all-time in career victories with 133, which still remains in the top-five. In his senior year he went 39-0, just the second undefeated season in team history, and still one of just five all-time. He won the last 58 matches he wrestled en route to his two national titles. He opened his junior season with a school record eight straight falls and ended his career with 48 all-time, then second and currently fourth all-time.
His career with the Golden Gophers ended in 2004 after five years on the coaching staff while helping Minnesota to the 2001 and 2002 NCAA titles.