Mike Houck

Mike Houck is an American former Greco-Roman wrestler. In 1985, he became the first American to win a World Championship in Greco-Roman wrestling, winning the 90 kg title. In 2008, Houck was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

Early life and education

Houck wrestled at Robbinsdale High School in Minnesota. He would then attend Maranatha Baptist Bible College, where he won two National Christian College Athletic Association titles, before turning his attention to Greco-Roman wrestling.

Greco-Roman wrestling career

Houck won the first ever World Championship in USA Greco-Roman wrestling history, by winning the 90 kg title at the 1985 [World Wrestling Championships#Men's Greco-Roman|1985 World Championships] in Kolbotn, Norway.
He won three USA Wrestling national Greco-Roman titles and one AAU title. He competed on three U.S. World Teams, and made two World Cup appearances. Houck barely missed the Olympic Games, finishing second at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1984 and 1988.