Chris Pendleton

Chris Pendleton (born January 21, 1982) is a former American wrestler who competed collegiately for Oklahoma State University. Pendleton won NCAA Division I wrestling titles at 174 pounds in 2004 and 2005 and was a three-time All-American.

Career Pendleton won the 145-pound CIF state championship his senior year at Lemoore High School in Lemoore, California after placing 4th as a junior. His senior year performance in 2000 earned him the Junior Schalles Award as the top high school pinner.

In college, he defeated future two-time NCAA champion, Dan Hodge Trophy winner, and MMA world champion Ben Askren of Missouri for both of his NCAA titles. Pendleton had beaten Askren in the majority of their meetings and provoked controversy after telling a reporter that there was no "rivalry" between them. He is the son of Bill Pendleton of Fresno and Lisa Cervantez of Lemoore. He has two younger brothers who both were wrestlers as well.

In March 2020, he was named head wrestling coach at Oregon State University.