Dominic Black

Black began wrestling as a sophomore at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky. He barely posted a winning record in his first year and was unable to qualify for the state tournament. However, his record would improve his junior year, finishing third in the state, followed up by a senior season which included a state championship and the 1987 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Most Outstanding Wrestler award.[1]

Black wrestled collegiately at West Virginia University, where he finished his career as one of only five WVU wrestlers in team history at the time to have more than 100 career wins, with a 105-36-2 record. As a junior, he went 33-5, won an EWL title, and competed in his second straight NCAA tournament. In his senior season in 1991, he recorded 39 wins, another EWL title and earned NCAA All-American honors with a fourth place finish.[2]

In 1992, Black took first place at University Freestyle Nationals. In 1995, he was the first University of West Virginia wrestler to represent the United States at an international event and earn gold, winning a gold medal at the World Cup of Freestyle.

In 1997, Black entered the United States Army and was a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, that allows him to wrestle and recruit for the Army. In 1999, Black won a gold medal at the Pan-American games at 97 kg and was the U.S. freestyle national champion, earning him a spot on the U.S. freestyle World Team and competing at the 1999 World Wrestling Championships. He would qualify for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, were finished as runner-up at 97 kg. Black also represented the United States at the 2001 World Wrestling Championships.

In 2004, Black was inducted into the West Virginia University Athletics Hall of Fame.[3]