Newberry College Athletics

Griffin was instrumental in the establishment of Newberry College as one of the premier Division II wrestling programs in the nation, and was able to put his name in the record books as Newberry’s first-ever Division II national champion.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native was a four-time national qualifier and the first-ever three-time All-American for the scarlet and gray.

He claimed the national championship at 197 lbs. in 2009, becoming Newberry’s first NCAA title winner. He earned All-American honors in 2008 with a seventh place finish at 184 lbs. and again in 2010 with a fourth place finish at 197 lbs.

He was second in the school’s record books with 119 career victories when he completed his career, also racking up 17 pins and 12 major decisions.

Griffin later coached in the college ranks at Seton Hill University, where he also earned his masters degree.