Zach Sanders to Receive National Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
May 29, 2007
University of Minnesota
incoming freshman wrestler Zachary Sanders will be recognized as the
national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award at the
2007 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend Banquet and
Induction Ceremony this Saturday, June 2, in Stillwater, Okla.
A native of Wabasha, Minn., Sanders was a five-time state champion and
compiled a career record of 223-5 at Wabasha-Kellogg High School. He
won the Class A 119-pound title in 2007, the 112-pound title as a
junior and sophomore, and the 103-pound title as a freshman and eighth
grader. Sanders ended his high school career with three undefeated
seasons. He had a 3.58 GPA in high school.
In addition, he was a Cadet and Junior freestyle national champion, the
2007 National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Senior champion
at 119 pounds and was an Asics First Team All-American in 2006.
Earlier this year, Sanders was also named Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling by the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association.
The Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award is presented annually to
a high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding wrestling
success, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community
service. The awards program is named in honor of the late Dave Schultz,
an Olympic and world champion, who set an example for excellence both
on and off the mat.
The selection for the national winner of the Dave Schultz award begins
with local winners from each of the 48 states that sponsor high school
wrestling championships. Five regional winners are then selected from
the 48 state representatives before the national winner is determined.
Sanders and fellow incoming freshman Sonny Yohn were both selected as
their respective state’s and regional winners. Yohn, a native of
Alamosa, Colo., is a three-time Colorado state champion at 189 pounds
and finished his career with a 153-15 overall record. He was the 2006
NHSCA Junior National Champion and finished second at the USAW Junior
freestyle nationals. Yohn finished second at the 2007 NHSCA Senior
nationals at 215 pounds. He had a 3.8 GPA in high school.
Sanders is the third Minnesota recruit to earn the national Dave
Schultz award since its inception in 1996. Current Gopher C.P.
Schlatter, a 2007 All-American and two-time Academic All-American,
earned the award in 2003, and former two-time All-American Garrett
Lowney was the recipient in 1998.