Hirsch was a three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association 126-pound champion, a two-time All-American and an NCAA Division I champion while he was a member of the Big Red from 1990-94. At the 1994 NCAAs, Hirsch won the 126-pound title, becoming the first Cornellian to win a national wrestling crown since 1960 and only the fifth Cornellian ever to win a national wrestling title at the time. He placed fifth at the 1993 NCAA championships to earn All-America honors. Hirsch finished his senior season with a school-record 41 wins and only three losses. His career record of 116-17 ranked third in all-time wins at Cornell. He was named the outstanding wrestler of the EIWA championships in 1994 after winning his third straight Eastern title and was the recipient of the John Fletcher Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the senior wrestler who has made the greatest contribution to his team during his career in the EIWA tournaments. The three-time All-Ivy first-team selection was named the Ivy League Wrestler of the Year in 1994. Hirsch served as tri-captain of the team in 1993-94, when he was named the Cornell Daily Sun Athlete of the Year and the Ithaca Journal Male Athlete of the Year. He served as an assistant wrestling coach at Cornell in 1994-95.
