Postseason wrestling awards announced
The Concordia University wrestling team celebrated the 2010-11 season with a cookout at the Izaak Walton Gun Club in Seward on April 28.
There was a lot to celebrate on Thursday evening following a season where the Bulldog wrestlers went 5-1 in dual meet competition, placed 3rd in the Great Plains Athletic Conference with 10 place finishers, sent eight wrestlers to the NAIA National Championships and claimed two National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American honors.
Freshman Adam Joseph (Hastings, Neb.) was named the team’s Most Outstanding Wrestler, and he also earned the SISU Award (Finn word for mental and physical toughness). Joseph captured a 30-12 record at 133 pounds and placed in every tournament he competed in. He placed 3rd in the GPAC Championships and 3rd in the NAIA North Region Championships. He led the team in most major decisions with seven and most near falls with 42. Joseph missed a month of the season with a torn ACL and still recorded 30 wins. His comeback on an untested knee with less than a week of practice earned him a conference medal. Joseph was named to the GPAC All-Conference wrestling team and was a NAIA National qualifier, where he posted a 1-2 record at the National Championships.
The Most Improved Wrestler award went to sophomore Gordie Fowlkes of Newman Grove, Nebraska. Fowlkes posted a 21-15 record at 125 pounds. He was ranked in the top five in every offensive category on the team this season. Fowlkes placed 3rd in the GPAC Championships and 4th in the NAIA North Region Championships. Fowlkes was a NAIA National Championship qualifier.
The Jacob Award, the most technical wrestler award, went to junior Julian Silva of Covina, California. Silva had a tremendous season, posting a 38 -22 record at 197 pounds. Silva led the team in wins – 38, most team points – 159, most decisions – 21, most falls – 9, most takedowns – 80 and most first takedowns – 34. Silva captured two individual titles, the first titles for the second year wrestling program. Silva placed 3rd in the GPAC championships and 2nd in the NAIA North Region championships. Silva was named to the GPAC All-Conference Team and was ranked nationally going into the NAIA National Wrestling Championships where he posted a 2-2 record.
Five members of this year’s team were honored with the Ironman Award. Gordie Fowlkes (Newman Grove, Neb.), Brandon Roath (Palmyra, Neb.), Travis Patrick (Castle Rock, Wash.), Martin Dobler (Rockford, Ill.), Blake Augustyn (Ord, Neb.) and Andrew Lords (Rigby, Idaho) attended every practice, conditioning and strength training session during the 2010-11 season.
The Most Outstanding Redshirt Wrestler went to freshman Dillon Heesch of Dayton, Iowa. Heesch posted a 12-4 record on the season at heavyweight. Heesch placed 3rd in the Simpson and York Opens and was 4th in the Quality Inn Open. He also defeated two NAIA All-Americans by fall in 2011.
Weight Lifter of the Year went to freshman Ryan Perez of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Perez showed intensity, effort and passion every time he stepped into the weight room to train.
Alex Rostvet (Hastings, Neb.) was the recipient of the NAIA’s Champions of Character award. Rostvet represented the core values of the NAIA which include; integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
Two wrestlers were named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American Wrestling Team; Alex Rostvet and Travis Patrick were honored. Both Rostvet and Patrick were also honored by the Great Plains Athletic Conference with the Pflieger-Olson Scholar-Athlete Award.
Five wrestlers were named to the GPAC All-Conference Wrestling Team. Adam Joseph, Julian Silva, and sophomore Brandon Starkey (St. Paul, Neb.) were named to the second team. Alex Rostvet and junior Frank Ayala (West Covina, Calif.) were honorable mention selections.
Six members of the team were honored as the Concordia University Booster Club Athlete of the Week. Plaques were presented to Travis Patrick, Julian Silva, Adam Joseph, Brandon Starkey, Blake Augustyn, and freshman Robbie Resendiz (San Jacinto, Calif.).
Eight wrestlers qualified and competed in the NAIA National Wrestling Championships. They include: Gordie Fowlkes, Travis Patrick, Adam Joseph, Alex Rostvet, Brandon Starkey, Blake Augustyn, Julian Silva, and Frank Ayala.
“I am very proud of the efforts of our team members this season,” commented head coach Doug Reese. “Individually and as a team, we achieved a great deal in 2010-11. There is satisfaction in our accomplishments as well as knowing that this is only a second year program. The expectation is that we will only continue to improve and get better, and that is what we will persist to strive for.”