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There were numerous people in the crowd at Williamsport's Magic Dome who let out audible comments as Jersey Shore graduate Dan Muthler had his accomplishments read aloud.
When it was read he was the last wrestler from the U.S. Naval Academy to stand atop the NCAA podium, someone let out a fairly loud "Wow."
As it was announced he was a US World freestyle team alternate behind Dan Gable and won two Greco-Roman titles and was a three-time AAU national freestyle placewinner, another wrestling fan in attendance let out an ooh.
No matter what was read on Muthler's long list of accomplishments, it garnered a deserving reaction. So it was no surprise to see the former Bulldog get a loud standing ovation after he was honored at the Class AA Northeast Regional on Saturday.
Muthler has accomplished a lot over his career in and out of wrestling, and it was a special moment he shared with his wife Jan.
"It just…" Muthler said as he collected his thoughts. "You can't describe it. It gives you the chills up and down your spine."
This year, 50 years after he became the third wrestler from a District 4 school to win an NCAA Division I wrestling championship, Muthler will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in April.
"It's kind of awesome, you know? To be with the guys that are there, you don't think of yourself of being that kind of caliber of people," Muthler said. "It's humbling."
Muthler won back-to-back sectional, District 4, Northeast Regional and state championships in 1970-71, including pinning the returning state champ in the 138-pound final his senior season.
He wrestled for Hall of Famer Ed Peery at the Naval Academy and was a two-time Wilkes Open Champion, an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion and won the NCAA championship at 142 pounds in 1973. To date, he's the last wrestler from the Naval Academy to win a national championship.
"It was so many years ago and I can't get away from it. I just can't get away from (the sport of wrestling). I told them I don't now how many times that this is my last year, and I don't know about next year. We'll wait and see," Muthler said with a laugh.
Muthler served as a US World freestyle team alternate, was a four-time Inter-Service champion, won two freestyle and two Greco-Roman titles, was a three-time AAU national freestyle place winner and was a Greco-Roman place winner.
An outstanding resume on the mat for anyone. But after his wrestling days, Muthler went on to have a remarkable career in the military with 36 1/2 years of service. He was on active duty from 1975-87 in the marine corps, and served with the Pennsylvania National guard between 1989-2013 as a helicopter pilot.
After his military career, Muthler returned to the area and helped as an assistant wrestling coach at Jersey Shore in 1988, and from 2004-2020. He was also an assistant with Lycoming from 1989-2000.
Even though he hasn't wrestled a bout in roughly 50 years, he still relives his matches through Jersey Shore wrestlers he sees competing. It takes him back to when he was a high school wrestler and making a name for himself.
"When you have a couple guys going down to Class AAA, when you see them wrestle you relive all of your matches," Muthler said. "It's like wow, to know what they're going through? It's such a grind and because of that, the rewards are so good. It's great."
Muthler's career was great as well and now, he will be enshrined forever in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with some of the other greats to compete.