Hall of Fame
Branden Hinkle was a rare two-sport champion during his time at West Liberty but he went on to carve out a professional career in a third sport after graduation.
An All-Ohio wrestler and All-Conference tennis standout at Jefferson (Ohio) Area High School during the early 1990s, Hinkle continued to excel in both sports at West Liberty. A three-time NAIA All-America wrestler, Branden was the 1995 NAIA national champion at 190 pounds and earned runner-up honors at 190 pounds as a senior in 1996. Hinkle also won a WVIAC tennis championship in 1995.
Hinkle continued to wrestle after graduation, earning U.S. national freestyle All-America honors and winning two Northeastern U.S. Freestyle titles before turning to mixed martial arts. The former Hilltopper fought all over the world during a lengthy pro career, winning the Korean heavyweight title and the World Extreme Fighting heavyweight crown along with the Reality Super Fighting light-heavy championship.
