SOURCE: www.facebook.com

March 29, 2022

It is with much sadness that we announce that the Oswego State Wrestling Program lost a GREAT one last evening as former National Champion John Walter passed away.

Walter was the Lakers first national champion winning the NCAA College Division title in 1969 at 123 pounds. He was a two-time NCAA finalist finishing second the previous season.

John graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1970 with a degree in Industrial Arts and returned to Long Island where he had a long and very successful coaching career at Mepham High School. Walter was a charter member of the Oswego State Athletic Hall of Fame with his induction in 2001 and received the Lifetime Service Award of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Downstate New York Chapter with his induction in 2002. Walter was also a member of the New York State High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

John was a special person and the entire Laker wrestling family's thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family. He will be missed by all, rest in peace John.