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Mankato, Minn.. --- On Saturday, April 20, the Minnesota State University, Mankato wrestling program announced their award winners from the 2001-02 season at their annual banquet. Listed below are each of the awards and the winners.
"Most Valuable Wrestler" and "Top Newcomer"-- Tony Fratzke, 133 pounds, Hutchinson, Minn. Fratzke, a transfer athlete from Ellsworth Community College, qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament by becoming Minnesota State's 27th North Central Conference champion. The junior was the top MSU finisher at the NCAA meet with a fourth-place showing and racked up a record of 24-8 with nine falls on the season.
"Hardest Worker" -- Joel Schrimpf, 184 pounds, Goodhue, Minn. Schrimpf, a junior, compiled a 12-13 record on the season, including a 4-6 dual mark. He also made the all-academic team for the third consecutive season with a 3.08 grade point average in mathematics.
"Purple Heart Award" (Most Courageous/Inspirational)-- Tait Thompson, 125-133 pounds, Kenyon, Minn. Thompson got a lot of valuable experience in his inaugural season as a Maverick. Competing at two different weights, Thompson wrestled in 11 dual meets when injuries took All-Americans Lester Berrios and Tony Fratzke out of the lineup.
"Academic Team Leader" -- Matt Perrizo, 174 pounds, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Perrizo, a freshman, compiled a 3.62 GPA in human biology to earn a place on the all-academic team as an honorable mention. On the mat, he recorded a 12-7 record including 5-1 in matches decided by fall.
"Most Improved Wrestler"-- Dustin Kulseth, 141 pounds, St. James, Minn. Kulseth moved into the starting lineup early in the season and established himself with a solid record of 13-17. He proved himself to be a proficient pinner as well with nine falls on the season, including a first-period fall over the top-ranked wrestler in the nation.
"Coaches Award" (Presented to the individual(s) who best represent the MSU program in the following areas: leadership, academics, work ethic, attitude and community involvement) -- Chris Murphy, 157-165 pounds, Blue Earth, Minn. Murphy wrapped up his junior season with a record of 4-9, including a dual record of 1-1. Following the season, he was named an all-academic honorable mention for the third consecutive year. Murphy holds a 3.68 GPA and is majoring in finance. His three-year record stands at 19-26.