Marty Fajerman, Class of 1987

A fierce and dedicated competitor, Marty Fajerman is one of the most heralded wrestlers to ever don a Peddie singlet. Over his four-year journey, he amassed a record of 125-4 for an amazing .969 winning percentage and never lost a dual meet bout (66-0). He distinguished himself at the highest level using a perfect combination of strength, quickness, technique and mental toughness.

Fajerman wrapped up his storied career at Peddie a four-time Mercer County Champion (Outstanding Wrestler 1986), a four-time State Champion (Outstanding Wrestler 1987) and a three-time National Prep finalist. In 1986, he stood atop the 130-pound podium at Nationals, capturing five wins in arguably the toughest bracket of the tournament. He gutted out a 3-2 decision over his opponent from Blair Academy in the Round of 16 and then dominated his next two opponents by a combined 16 points to reach the finals. Next up was Mount St. Joseph High School (Md.), and Fajerman put an exclamation point on the title bout with a pin midway through the second period.

Inducted to the Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 as part of the 1986 Wrestling Team, Fajerman helped Peddie’s program reach the pinnacle of success when the Falcons finished second at Prep Nationals. He sandwiched the 1986 individual national crown between a pair of runner-up efforts wrestling in the 123 (1985) and 136-pound (1987) classes. Fajerman won three straight Robert L. Tifft Wrestling trophies (1985-87) as the team’s most outstanding wrestler.

Fajerman secured a legacy at Furman University that will endure. In the Paladins’ season on the mat in 1991, he became Furman’s first and only Southern Conference champion and NCAA Division I Qualifier. Ranked among the nation’s top 20 wrestlers at 142 pounds in 1991, Fajerman had a career mark of 118-18-1 (.865).