Zak Kallai

Zak Kallai
Case Western Reserve University
Class of 2004

Zak Kallai became the first and remains the only wrestler in Case Western Reserve University history to become a four-time All-American.

As a freshman, Kallai finished sixth at Nationals, posting a 28-14 record.  He finished fifth his sophomore year at the NCAA Championship and tallied an impressive 40-8 mark.  Despite missing the first half of his junior campaign due to a co-op at Rockwell Automation, Kallai finished eighth in the country, tallying a 16-13 record.  He finished eighth at his last Nationals in 2004, compiling a 42-11 mark.  If Kallai would not of co-opted [computer engineering major] his junior season, preparing himself for life after wrestling, he would have most likely become Case Western Reserve’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Chris Ricklic (147-9-1), a three-time national qualifier, two-time national champion (167lbs) and member of the NWCA Hall of Fame.  Kallai’s 126-46 career record ranks him fourth on the Spartans all-time wins’ list and he is only one of 12 Spartan wrestlers in the school’s rich history to reach the 100-win plateau.

Case Western Reserve Head Wrestling Coach Bob Del Rosa, who has been at the University for 48 years and is a member of the NWCA and Case Reserve Athletic Club Hall of Fame, had this to say about his former great.

“Zak was one of those wrestlers that you looked at and thought I will beat this guy, but when it came to the mat he was unbeatable.”  He never lifted weights – he was just a good hard worker in room and during the offseason.  Zak never had to cut weight – he just had fun out there.”

Kallai currently works for Rockwell Automation in Cleveland, Ohio.  He is IT analysis and has worked for the company since 2002.  He resides in Wadsworth, with his wife Mary.