If national titles are the standard used to measure greatness, then Carlton Haselrig ranks as the top heavyweight in collegiate history. In an era when NCAA Division II national champions could compete just a few days later in the Division I tournament, Haselrig took on all comers. Six times he advanced to the finals of an NCAA tournament. Six times his hand was raised.

Named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team in 2005, he had a career record of 143-2-1 for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He set an NCAA record with 122 consecutive matches without a loss, and never lost or tied a match in Division II while never losing at the NCAA Division I Tournament (15-0). In 1987, 1988 and 1989, he won two NCAA titles each year.

Because Greater Johnstown High School did not have a wrestling program, Haselrig played football during the school year and competed in freestyle wrestling in the summer. Prior to his senior year, the Greater Johnstown School Board gave him permission to represent Greater Johnstown High as an independent one-man team. In his only prep season, he went 10-0 and won the district, regional and state titles in the unlimited weight class.

Despite not having played football since high school, Haselrig was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 12th round of the 1989 National Football League Draft. He played four seasons for the Steelers, being selected to the Pro Bowl in 1992, and one season with the New York Jets before his NFL career ended because of off-field issues which he has since overcome.

He trained mixed martial arts fighters and wrestlers at Cold Steel MMA & Wrestler in Johnstown, before returning to his alma mater as a varsity assistant coach for football and wrestling.

In recognition of phenomenal wrestling success at every level, Carlton Haselrig is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.