Cornell University Athletics

Wattenberg was a two-time All-American who ended his career ranked second all-time at Cornell in wins (113). He placed fifth in the country at 184 pounds as a senior after a sixth-place finish as a junior. In his final season, Wattenberg went 39-5 and was ranked No. 1 nationally for a portion of the year as a team tri-captain. Wattenberg was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2003 National Duals, where he earned bonus wins in all six of his matches. He pinned top-ranked Jessman Smith of Iowa at the NWCA All-Star meet. He helped his team to a pair of Ivy League titles (2001, 2003) and improved the team's finish at both the EIWAs (4-3-2) and NCAAs (28-18-10) in each of his final three years. In 2002 as a junior, Wattenberg was the recipient of the Peter J. Floros Memorial Award, given annually to Cornell's most valuable wrestler. He recorded a total of 23 falls during his distinguished career, capturing the team's Andy Noel Award for most falls in 2002 and 2003.  Wattenberg was the EIWA champion as a junior, earning New York State Wrestler of the Year honors as well. He was a three-time All-Ivy selection, earning first-team accolades in 2002, second-team honors in 2003 and was an honorable mention pick in 2001. Following his collegiate career, Wattenberg wrestled in the 2004 Olympic Trials, finishing third at 84 kg (195 pounds) (his only loss coming to eventual gold medalist Cael Sanderson) before serving as an assistant coach for the Big Red.