Donny Pritzlaff
{{short description|American wrestler (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
|name = Donny Pritzlaff
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|23}}
|birth_place = Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
|hometown = Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.
|sport = Wrestling
|collegeteam = Wisconsin Badgers
|team = USA
|country = United States
|event = Freestyle and Folkstyle
|show-medals = yes
|medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport |Men's freestyle wrestling}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition |World Championships}}
{{MedalBronze | 2006 Guangzhou| 74 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition |World Cup}}
{{MedalBronze | 2007 Krasnoyarsk| 74 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition |Pan American Championships}}
{{MedalSilver | 2006 Rio De Janeiro | 74 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition |Junior World Championships}}
{{MedalGold | 1998 Las Vegas| 70 kg}}
{{MedalSport|Collegiate Wrestling}}
{{MedalCountry|the Wisconsin Badgers}}
{{MedalCompetition|NCAA Division I Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2000 St. Louis|165 lb}}
{{MedalGold|2001 Iowa City|165 lb}}
}}
Donny Pritzlaff (born January 23, 1979) is a freestyle wrestler who represented the United States in international competition, winning bronze medals at the 2006 World Wrestling Championships and at the 2007 FILA Wrestling World Cup. He resides in New Jersey and is head coach for the Columbia University wrestling team.
Junior career
Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, Pritzlaff grew up in Lyndhurst, New Jersey and graduated from Lyndhurst High School in 1997, where he was a three-time NJSIAA individual state champion and finished his high school wrestling career with a record of 127–4.[http://www.cliffkeenwrestlingclub.com/staff/donny-pritzlaff/ Donny Pritzlaff], Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Accessed January 29, 2018. "Born: January 23, 1979 (Red Bank, N.J.)... Hometown: Lyndhurst, N.J.; High School: Lyndhurst HS (1997)"{{Cite web|url=http://www.onthebanks.com/2014/5/2/5676148/rutgers-wrestling-hires-big-gun-in-donny-pritzlaff|title=Rutgers Wrestling hires big gun in Donny Pritzlaff|date=2 May 2014}}Stanmyre, Matt. [http://www.nj.com/rutgers/index.ssf/2016/01/a_more_meaningful_challenge_how_donny_pritzlaff_finally_made_it_to_rutgers.html "'A more meaningful challenge.' How Donny Pritzlaff finally made it to Rutgers"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 7, 2016. Accessed January 29, 2018. "Donny Pritzlaff steered his blue Dodge Ram down the Turnpike in spring of 1997, fresh off capturing his third state wrestling championship to cap a dazzling career at Lyndhurst High School.... Although he was perhaps the finest New Jersey high school wrestler at the time -- compiling a record of 127-4 -- Pritzlaff said he never received a phone call, recruiting letter or visit invitation from Rutgers."[http://scarletknights.com/staff.aspx?staff=153 Donny Pritzlaff], Rutgers Scarlet Knights wrestling. Accessed January 29, 2018. "Prior to Rutgers, the Lyndhurst, N.J., native spent three seasons at the University of Michigan (2011-13) as an assistant wrestling coach after spending five years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the associate head wrestling coach."
College career
Pritzlaff was a two-time NCAA champion, three-time Big Ten Conference champions, and four-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin. Pritzlaff graduated from Wisconsin in 2002 with a degree in sociology. Pritzlaff was also the 1998 junior world champion.{{cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |title=Donny Pritzlaff Profile - MGOBLUE.COM - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |website=www.mgoblue.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119074824/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |archive-date=2013-01-19}}
International career
At the 2006 World Wrestling Championships, Pritzlaff won a bronze medal. Pritzlaff also won a bronze medal at the 2007 FILA Wrestling World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |title=Donny Pritzlaff Profile - MGOBLUE.COM - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |website=www.mgoblue.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119074824/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |archive-date=2013-01-19}}
Coaching career
Pritzlaff has held the following positions:{{cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |title=Donny Pritzlaff Profile - MGOBLUE.COM - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |website=www.mgoblue.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119074824/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/donny_pritzlaff_757517.html |archive-date=2013-01-19}} {{Cite web|url=http://www.onthebanks.com/2014/5/2/5676148/rutgers-wrestling-hires-big-gun-in-donny-pritzlaff|title=Rutgers Wrestling hires big gun in Donny Pritzlaff|date=2 May 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://gocolumbialions.com/news/2024/6/18/donny-pritzlaff-named-columbia-wrestling-coach.aspx |title=Donny Pritzlaff Named Columbia Wrestling Head Coach|date=18 June 2024}}
- Volunteer assistant coach, University of Wisconsin, 2002–2003
- Assistant coach, Hofstra University, 2004–2006
- Assistant coach, University of Wisconsin, 2007–2009
- Associate head coach, University of Wisconsin, 2009–2011
- Assistant coach, University of Michigan, 2011–2014
- Associate head coach, Rutgers University, 2014–2024
- Head coach, Columbia University, 2024-present
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pritzlaff, Donny}}
Category:American male sport wrestlers
Category:Lyndhurst High School alumni
Category:Sportspeople from Lyndhurst, New Jersey
Category:Sportspeople from Red Bank, New Jersey
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights wrestling coaches
Category:Wisconsin Badgers wrestlers
Category:Hofstra Pride wrestling coaches