Here is an article from the Wrestling USA website about the recent University of Minnesota-Morris team awards. Todd Sanchez from Wichita West received the Outstanding Freshman Award and the Cougar Pride Award for best work ethic. I had a chance to coach this young man for a couple of summers and he deserves these awards.
Congratulations Todd. Keep up the good work.

UM-Morris Wrestler Dante Lewis Wins Koslowski Trophy

Morris, MN - University of Minnesota-Morris head wrestling coach Doug Reese
has announced the wrestling awards for the 2001-2002 season for the Cougar
wrestling team.

Six awards are given out annually, which are voted on by the team, or
decided up using specific criteria.

Koslowski Trophy - is named after Dennis and Duane Koslowski, UM-Morris
alumni who were NCAA III National Champions, Team USA Greco-Roman members
and Olympians. The Koslowski Trophy is awarded to the most valuable
wrestler. This year's winner is sophomore Dante Lewis of Omaha, NE. Lewis
had another outstanding season producing a total of 21 wins, three
individual tournament titles, a second NSIC Individual Championship, and a
second trip to the NCAA II National Championships wrestling at 125 pounds.
Lewis is the first Cougar to compete more than once in the Division II
National Championships.

Jacob Award - The most technical wrestler award. Dante Lewis again won this
award with a dominating performance on the mat this season. Lewis led the
team in wins, team points, decisions, major decisions, takedowns, and in
two-point nearfalls.

Plato Award - is awarded to the individual who shows both talent on the mat
and in the classroom. Junior Joel Fugleberg of Roseau, MN captures this
award for the second straight season. Fugleberg has started for the Cougars
for the third straight season, this year at 149 pounds. Fugleberg who
served as team captain has won over sixty matches in the last three seasons,
earning all-conference honors in the NSIC. For the second straight season
Fugleberg has been selected to the NCAA II Academic All-American Wrestling
Team, and to the NSIC All-Academic Wrestling Team. Fugleberg holds a 3.31
grade point average and is majoring in Biology.

Outstanding Freshman Award - is awarded to the true freshman that performs
the best throughout the entire wrestling season. This award goes to Todd
Sanchez of Wichita, KS. Sanchez posted 17 wins in his rookie season at 133
and 141 pounds, and led the team in most falls with 9, and three-point near
falls with16 for the season. Sanchez placed second in the Central Iowa
Invitational, and placed second in the NSIC Individual Championships earning
All-Conference honors.

Most Improved Wrestler - is awarded to a returning veteran wrestler who has
shown the most improvement (technical skill, wins, place finishes, etc.)
from the preceding season. Senior Jesse Cisneros of Lake Station, IN was
selected for this award. Cisneros started for the Cougars at 165 pounds and
continued to improve every match throughout the season.

Vern Chandler "Cougar Pride" Award - is awarded to the athlete who
exemplifies a high standard in work ethic, and discipline, while giving more
than one has in both training and competition. This year's winner is
freshman Todd Sanchez of Wichita, KS. A tough, solid performer, Sanchez
continues to get better every time he stepped on the mat because of the
sacrifice he made to be the very best he could possibly be.

"I am very proud of these guys, and the team as a whole," said coach Doug
Reese. "They fought hard and battled all season, they over came adversity,
and they represented the institution well every time they stepped on the
mat. There is no doubt in my mind that they are champions."