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Dave Venem was a regional champion during the 1983-84 season for the Trojans and went on to be named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Region XIII Team. He earned sixth place at the NJCAA National Tournament and All-American honors. Venem was team co-captain during the 1983-84 season and earned seventh place at the NJCAA Tournament, again nabbing All-American accolades. He was twice named the UMC Wrestling Most Valuable Player. Venem had an overall record of 25-5 in the 142 pound weight class as a freshman, and was 24-6-2 as a sophomore in the 142 pound weight class. He was coached by Murray Tiedemann, who was instrumental in getting him to attend college.
Venem went on to Adams State, where he placed eighth in the 142 pound weight class in 1986, earning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American honors. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in secondary education-physical education from Adams State College in 1992. He had a 29-year career as a physical education and industrial arts teacher for the Rocky Ford School District in Rocky Ford, Colo., retiring in 2022. Venem was nominated for the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2015 and was awarded the 30 years of service award by the Colorado High School Coaches Association. He is originally from Fosston, Minn., and currently resides in Rocky Ford, Colo., with his wife Patty. They have adult children Ashley (26) and Cody (23).
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