Cameron Butka ’25: A Record-Breaking Career

“When you put the work in, you’re usually rewarded,” says Jon Laudenslager ’99, MBA ’23, director of wrestling at Wilkes. “Cameron works hard. He’s one of the few athletes I’ve seen leave the mat and be okay where they finished.”

Cameron Butka’s hard work led to a record-breaking wrestling career. The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native and 2025 biochemistry graduate finished with an impressive resume: the most wins in Wilkes program history (137), a new record for the most wins in a single season (42), four NCAA Division III Men’s Scholar All-American Awards and national recognition.

Butka finished second in the nation at 197 pounds at the 2025 NCAA Championships after earning All-American honors with his fourth-place finish in 2024.

“It hasn’t really set in yet,” says Butka. “I set really high standards for myself. While I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, I’m still processing it.”

Butka started college with a strong foundation, graduating as valedictorian of West Scranton High School while placing eighth in the state in men’s wrestling. He cites the support of Laudenslager, his Wilkes mentor and coach, as a key driver of his continued success. “Coach Jon told me that I had the potential to become All-American and nationally ranked,” says Butka. “I didn’t believe him at first, but working hard really paid off for me.”

In the weight room and at practice, Butka emerged as a disciplined athlete. His organizational skills and dedication stood out from the start, but follow through took Butka to the next level.

“It’s fulfilling as a coach helping him achieve what he set out to do,” says Laudenslager, noting Butka’s laser focus and sense of calm as he ended his career at the 2025 NCAA National Championships. “He’s a national finalist because he put the time in.”

While Butka will miss wrestling, he’s excited for what comes next. He’ll begin a PhD program in chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh with a goal of entering the pharmaceutical industry.

“It doesn’t feel real to be done at Wilkes,” says Butka. “I made an unbelievable amount of memories through wrestling and never imagined making so many meaningful connections.”