Class of 2007

PAUL DIEKEL, Whitehall class of 1981 was a former 3 time section 2 champion and a New York State champion for the Railroaders. Diekel also was an accomplished freestyle competitor. He was a silver medalist in the Junior World Games following his junior year, then cashed in for a gold the next summer.

Paul transferred to Lehigh from the University of Oklahoma and became a three-time EIWA champion. Hes also one of Lehighs first twelve three-time All-Americans, while competing at 190 pounds from 1984-1986. Paul's NCAA places were 3rd, 5th and 6th and he earned career wins over three wrestlers from Oklahoma, Michigan and Iowa State who became national champions.

Diekel had a career mark of 38-3 in dual meets, with three of the wins vs. NCAA champions and each loss to a champion. Paul retired 49-1 against all Eastern competition, winning the EIWA Fletcher Award in 1986.

He runs his own practice as a Chiropractor in Castleton, VT, while the family resides in his native Whitehall. His son, Zach, was a Lehigh starter after joining Paul as a rare father/son NY state champion duo. Theyre one of seven father/son pairings on Lehigh U rosters.