Thomas D. Cavanaugh
Thomas D. Cavanaugh '76 1989 Wrestling
He entered Cleveland State in the Fall of 1971 as one of the most heralded members of a recruiting class labeled the best in CSU wrestling history. Among his fellow recruits were future Hall of Fame'er Tony DiGiovanni, current CSU assistant Gary Sorace and such other well-remembered names as Chuck Ehrhart, Gene McCune and Bob Anger.
The kid from Medina Highland high had done it better than any of them. A 31-0 record and a 150-lb. state title in his senior year were tough to beat. Obviously, so was Cavanaugh.
Cleveland State's army of wrestling enthusiasts would have to wait, however, to savor his talents.
In his freshman season he suffered a knee injury that required surgery and forced him to sit out the 1971-72 campaign.
He made up for it the next year by battling his way to the finals of the NCAA College Division 150-lb. championship. He lost the title match to settle for second place, but no CSU wrestler before or since has finished as high.
That finish earned him All-American honors and selection as the CSU Athletic Alumni
Association's "Most Outstanding Wrestler."
The next season, struggling to keep the 150-lb.s weight at which he excelled, he nevertheless tied a Viking single season record for dual meet wins with 16 and set a season record for most victories with 28.
In his third season of eligibility, the battle to make a competitive weight for the national championship was becoming a losing one. He was spending all of his time at 158 pounds. He decided to call it a career after the season and concentrate on completing his degree.
As might be expected, he went out on a memorable note, as a key member of a team that compiled a near record 14-0-1 dual meet mark and as the holder of the Vikings' record for most career victories - 70.
Cavanaugh's love affair with wrestling did not end, however, with his graduation in 1976.
While working in the family's landscaping business, he became a wrestling referee - and in keeping with the Cavanaugh standards, one of the state's best.
During a 13-year career which ended with the 1988-89 season, he was selected by vote to officiate eight Ohio State High School Tournaments.
Now a partner with his brothers in the Cavanaugh Building Corporation, he makes his home in Wadsworth with his wife Barb and their two children, Amy, 12 and Brian, 10.
