Churella Selected Cliff Keen Most Outstanding Wrestler
4/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan wrestling team, which posted a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, wrapped up its 2003-04 season and announced the team awards at its annual banquet Sunday (April 18).
| | Churella |
The STEVE FRASER AWARD for mental toughness went to senior/junior captain Ryan Bertin (Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Edward HS), who battled back with a pair of MCL sprains to earn All-America honors for the third time in his career. Bertin rebounded from a tough loss in the NCAA semifinals to win the third-place match at 157 pounds, defeating Illinois' Alex Tirapelle 3-1.
Junior/sophomore Charles Kalil (Midland, Mich./Dow HS) was named the recipient of 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. A political science major in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Kalil is a two-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement recipient.
Junior/sophomore Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) received the JEFF REESE AWARD as the most improved wrestler for his dedication to improving his skills and increasing his contribution to the team. Earning his first career All-America citation with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, Wagner notched a team-leading 36 overall wins this season, doubling his career wins total.
This year's MARK CHURELLA MOST OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD went to sophomore/freshman Mark Moos (Lorain, Ohio/St. Edward HS). Moos registered a 22-7 overall mark in his rookie campaign at 125 pounds, including an impressive 5-0 record at the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals (Jan. 17-18). Moos was an NCAA qualifier after a sixth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships and represented Michigan at the NWCA All-Star meet.
The 11TH MAN AWARD went to senior/junior Jeremiah Tobias (Manchester, Mich./Manchester HS) for the second consecutive season for showing the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to always help his teammates. Tobias, who started in four dual meets for the Maize and Blue at 149 pounds, posted a season record of 18-7 and a team-leading 10 falls.
The Wolverines concluded the 2003-04 season with a 17-3 dual record and a 7-1 Big Ten mark. The Wolverines placed third at the Big Ten Championships and 10th at the NCAA tournament.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
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