Winning is contagious in Lindenwood sports program

ST. CHARLES — Joe Parisi set a new standard for Lindenwood University wrestling when the team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, establishing the potential for a long and dominant run.

He began to understand the height of expectations when the team finished second in ’06. Instead of congratulations, he said some people offered condolences.

Lindenwood responded by winning the next three national titles. But Parisi has plenty of company in an athletic department where second place is often unexpected.

The five wrestling championships are among 11 NAIA titles won by Lindenwood teams since 1998. And they are a fraction of the 38 national titles the school has captured in sports sanctioned by various organizations since 2002.

“A ton of national championships have been won and along the way everyone has had an opportunity to be successful,” Parisi said. “Every time it happens, it’s like it’s contagious. It’s almost an expectation anymore.”