St. Cloud State Names Wrestling Captains for 2008-09
September 3, 2008
St. Cloud, Minn. -- St. Cloud State University
coach Steve Costanzo announced today, the naming of three captains for
the upcoming wrestling season at SCSU. The leaders of the Huskies for
2008-09 will be Brad Padgett (Sr., Buckley, Wash.), Gabriel Suarez (So., Las Vegas, Nev.) and John Sundgren (So., Blaine, Minn.).
Padgett, a returning All-American for the Huskies, finished fourth at
the NCAA Championships and finished the 2007-08 season with a record of
35-8. He was crowned North Central Region Champion this past year and
was named NCC Wrestler of the Week honors twice. Padgett claimed Husky
Wrestling’s Dean Weisman Wrestler of the Year award for his efforts.
Brad is a winner on and off the mat,” said Costanzo. “He’s always
around to help others and he has earned the respect from his coaches
and teammates.”
Suarez, a returning national qualifier for the Huskies, finished the
2007-08 season with a record of 32-6. He is one of two Huskies ever to
finish the season with an undefeated dual meet record as he garnered a
15-0 mark. He was the North Central Runner-up this past year and twice
earned NCC Wrestler of the Week honors.
“Gabe is a leader by example,” said Costanzo. “He is always trying to
out-work everyone around him. He is a fierce competitor and has the
goals and aspirations of achieving a national title.”
Sundgren, another returning All-American for the Huskies, finished
eighth at the NCAA Championships last March. He ended the 2007-08
campaign with a record of 24-10 and led the team with 10 falls.
Sundgren earned NCC Wrestler of the Week honors this past season and
finished third at the North Central Region Championships. In addition
to his athletic honors, he earned first team NWCA Academic All-American
honors in the classroom.
“John is the prime example of what we are looking for from our
student-athletes,” said Costanzo. “He understands the importance of
working hard in all facets of his life and is a good one for others to
follow.”
The Huskies open their season on Friday, November 7 in St. Cloud with their annual Black/Red Classic in Halenbeck Hall.
