Clayton Westerbeck employed a double-leg takedown that his opponents knew was coming, but few could avoid. His performance at the 1995 National Association of Collegiate Athletics (NAIA) national wrestling championships helped spark the “Roughnecks” to a team title. Entering the tournament as a the 8th seed at 190 pounds, Westerbeck defeated the top seed in the quarterfinals and battled his way to the finals, finishing second. During the 1996 NAIA championships, Westerbeck steamrolled to the 190-pound title with two pins, a major decision and a six-point victory in the finals. He earned All-America status both years.
Westerbeck is the only Roughneck to place in the prestigious Midlands Championships which included many National Association of Collegiate Athletics (NCAA) Division I wrestlers, placing 7th in 1995. When The University of Findlay hosted NCAA Division I powerhouse Minnesota later that season, Westerbeck defeated the Gophers’ Time Hartung, who later became a two-time national champion. After graduating, he was the Folkstyle Champion of Ohio.
During his 15 years as a high school teacher and head wrestling coach, Westerbeck personified his philosophy that, “Sports teach you the value of hard work, loyalty, respect, character and integrity.” Westerbeck was twice named wrestling coach of the year in two different athletic conferences, and he was selected to coach the Western Buckeye League all-star team on four occasions while coaching at Lima Bath High School.
Westerbeck is currently a principal at Sidney Alternative School in Sidney, Ohio, where he resides with his wife, Lisa, and young children, Nora and Cale.
