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April 24, 2002
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 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.
Dante Lewis (Omaha, NE) was awarded the 10th Annual Koslowski Trophy as UMM's Most Valuable Wrestler during the 2001-2002 wrestling season.
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."