FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2012

SID Contact: Taylor Thomas (765-730-6766 or tbthomas@illinois.edu)
Link: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/061412aaa.html

 

Fighting Illini Wrestling

 

Novachkov to Train in Champaign

Former Cal-Poly Mustang looks to train for Olympics

                    

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced that three-time All-American Boris Novachkov will train locally and assist the Illini wrestling team during the upcoming season. Novachkov comes to Illinois from Cal-Poly, where he wrestled for the Mustangs from 2007-2012.

 

“Boris (Novachkov) will be a great asset to the program and community,” Heffernan said. “Having someone with realistic goals of being an Olympian is a very positive thing for our program. In addition to his training, Boris will assist the program administratively in our daily operations.”

 

Novachkov was Cal Poly’s first three-time NCAA Division I All-American with histhird-place finish in this year’s national championships (141 pounds), placing runner-up last year at 141 pounds and seventh at 133 pounds in 2010.  During his four-years as a Mustang, Novachkov posted a 121-33 record and was a two-time Pac-12 champion in 2010 and 2011 and was conference runner-up this year and third in 2008. He was also named Cal-Poly’s Male Athlete of the Year and shared the Mustang’s Most Outstanding Wrestler Award.

 

“I’m excited to become a part of the Illini wrestling program,” Novachkov said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to grow as a wrestler and continue to do what I love to do. I’m looking forward to training for the world and Olympic teams as well as help the team reach their goals.”