Wrestler Bruce Harris '69 was named Forester Athlete of the Week on Thursday for his performance at the North Central Invitational during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.
Competing at 145 pounds, Harris was the runner-up at the event as a sophomore after suffering a narrow 3-2 loss in the championship match. A year later he prevailed 8-1 in the opening round, pinned his opponent in the semifinals, and took home the title with a 3-0 triumph in the final on February 10. Harris was even more dominant as a senior, outscoring his first two opponents by a combined score of 32-0, notching another pin the semifinals, and routing the runner-up 7-1 in the championship on February 8.
The three victories at North Central in 1968 were part of a season-opening 19-match winning streak for Harris, who eventually reached the second round of that year's NCAA Division III Tournament to finish 24-2. He started his senior campaign with 23 consecutive triumphs before falling in the opening round of the national tournament. Harris completed his four years at the College with an overall record of 82-9-1 and 18 pins and the only dual match defeat of his career came as a sophomore when he moved up three weight classes to compete at 167 pounds.
Harris, who also played two years of football and one of tennis, was inducted into the Forester Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.
Bruce Harris '69 Hall of Fame Bio
Until sports resume at Lake Forest College, the Athletic Department is utilizing its archives to continue the weekly recognition of high-level performances by Foresters. The department has selected a Forester Athlete of the Week since 1996, so these individuals will have earned this recognition by their performance at least 25 years ago.
A note of gratitude goes out to Mike Dau '58, whose tireless efforts as the department's historian has made the Forester Athlete of the Week research possible.