Olson Repeats as Michigan's Most Outstanding Wrestler
4/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
| | Olson |
The STEVE FRASER AWARD for mental toughness went to senior captain Andy Hrovat (Gates Mills, Ohio/St. Edward HS), who wrestled to All-America honors for the third time in his career with a seventh-place finish at 184 pounds at the NCAA Championships despite a debilitating back injury which plagued him all season.
Kyle Smith (Butte, Mont./Butte HS) received the JEFF REESE AWARD as the most improved wrestler for his dedication to improving his skills and persevering through the early portion of the season. In his fourth season in a Michigan singlet, Smith more than doubled his career wins, boasting a 33-2 record at 197 pounds this season while earning All-America honors with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
This year's MOST OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD went to redshirt freshman Ryan Bertin (Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Edward HS), who accumulated a 37-8 overall record in his first varsity season while finishing second at the Big Ten Championships and sixth at the NCAA Championships.
Bertin also claimed the DR. DONAHUE AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, the award that goes to the wrestler who has shown exemplary performance in the classroom and maintains the highest grade point average on the team. In the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Bertin maintains a 3.90 GPA and is expecting to apply to the U-M Business School.
The 11TH MAN AWARD went to sophomore Pat Owen (Polson, Mont./Polson HS), who while serving as the backup at 157 pounds showed the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to always help his teammates.
The Maize and Blue finished the season with a 16-3 dual record and a 7-1 Big Ten record. The Wolverines finished third at the Big Ten Championships and ninth nationally.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
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