Iowa Public Television

 

Wrestling News

UNI Panther Wrestlers Honor Seniors at Year-End Banquet

March 30, 2009

The University of Northern Iowa wrestling team put a wrap on the 2008-09 season with its annual awards banquet on Sat., March 28, in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.

UNI finished the season with a dual mark of 10-6 and qualified six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships. The Panthers also captured the Western Wrestling Conference dual and tournament championships. UNI was a perfect 4-0 in league dual action for the third straight season season. The Panthers then finished off the WWC season by winning the NCAA West Regional/WWC title. The regional win marked the 24th straight regional crown for the Panthers.

The Panthers then placed 22nd in the nation at the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships held March 19-21 in the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. UNI's Moza Fay led the way with a sixth-place finish in the 165-pound weight class.

Seniors Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) and Andrew Anderson (Sioux City, Iowa) shared the Most Valuable Wrestler honors for the 2008-09 season.

It marked the third straight year that Fay grabbed a share of the MVW award. Fay led the Panthers with 29 victories this season. Fay earned All-America honors for the second straight season at 165 pounds, as he placed sixth at the NCAA Championships.

Anderson led the squad with 12 dual victories in 2008-09 and ended his career as a four-time national qualifier. Anderson tallied 26 wins on the season and captured the 197-pound West Regional title.

For the second time in as many seasons, senior Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.) earned the Chuck Patten Award, which is based on leadership. Dolly reached the Round of 12 for the third time in his career, which saw him capture nine victories at the NCAA Championships. He was a four-time national qualifier and posted 74 career wins for the Panthers.

Fay earned the Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award. The award recognizes an individual who exhibits the highest standards in citizenship, academics, practice and dedication. Fay, who owns a 3.0 cumulative grade point average with a major in physical education, was a three-time national qualifier for the Panthers and a two-time All-American.

Junior Scott Hazen (Underwood, Iowa) was awarded the Mike McCready Award for leadership. Hazen posted a 13-10 record, including an impressive 6-3 mark in dual action at 174 pounds.

Redshirt freshman Cruse Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) was given the Most Courageous Award. Aarhus was forced into action after 125-pound starter Caleb Flores tore his hamstring at the National Duals. Aarhus jumped into the starting lineup and despite being outsized, tallied nine overall wins and three dual victories.

Sophomore Trevor Kittleson (St. Ansgar, Iowa) garnered the Most Improved Award. Kittleson secured 26 wins on the season and earned his first trip to the NCAA Championships at 149 pounds. Kittleson also posted a 6-3 mark in dual action as he bounced between 149 and 157 pounds during the season.

Redshirt freshman Christian Brantley (Homewood, Ill.) tallied the Rookie Award at the banquet. Brantley made his first trip to the NCAA Championships and entered the tournament as the No. 12 seed in the heavyweight bracket. Brantley earned 26 wins on the season, including a 9-4 mark in dual action. Brantley began to make his mark on the national scene when he placed eighth at the prestigious Midlands Championships in December.

True freshmen David Bonin (Broussard, La.) and Alec Hoffman (Davenport, Iowa) were given the Redshirt Award. Bonin secured 21 victories in the open tournament portion of the season, while Hoffman netted 17 triumphs. Hoffman registered eight falls while competing in the open tournaments.

UNI's seniors were also recognized by head coach Brad Penrith and the rest of the UNI coaching staff.

UNI's 2008-09 Senior Class
Andrew Anderson (Sioux City, Iowa)
Josh Baldridge (Haysville, Kan.)
Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa)

2008-09 Award Winners
Redshirt Award - David Bonin, Alec Hoffman
Rookie Award - Christian Brantley
Most Improved Award - Trevor Kittleson
Most Courageous Award - Cruse Aarhus
Mike McCready Award - Scott Hazen
Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award - Moza Fay
Chuck Patten Award - Alex Dolly
Most Valuable Wrestler Award - Andrew Anderson, Moza Fay

NOTE: Mike Mixsell served as the emcee for the event - the 27th consecutive year he has served in that capacity.

---Courtesy of University of Northern Iowa---

Wrestling Poll

Who do you expect to win the 2010 NCAA Team Championship ?
Iowa
Ohio State
Iowa State
Nebraska
Other Team
 
  View Results