Biondo Named Most Outstanding Wrestler at Team Banquet
4/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
April 20, 2010
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior/junior Anthony Biondo (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS) captured the Cliff Keen Award for Most Outstanding Wrestler at the annual University of Michigan wrestling team banquet on Monday evening (April 19) at the Junge Family Champions Center.
Biondo, who moved back up a weight class to 197 pounds this season, led the Wolverines with a career-best 35-7 record and was 15-2 in duals with five falls and five major decisions. The Wolverine captain claimed a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships and finished one win shy of NCAA All-America honors with a 2-2 mark at the national event.
The Steve Fraser Award for mental toughness went to Michigan's other co-captain, sophomore Zac Stevens (Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS), who wrapped up the season with a 23-18 record and five major decisions at 133 pounds. Stevens battled a late-season injury to claim seventh place at the Big Ten tournament and earn a trip to his first NCAA Championships.
Junior/sophomore Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) received the Jeff Reese Award as the Most Improved Wrestler for his dedication to improving his skills and increasing his contribution to the team. Moving up to 174 pounds, Zeerip posted a 29-21 record in his second season in the Wolverine starting lineup -- earning 21 more wins than his rookie campaign -- and secured six falls and four major decisions. He took fourth place at the Big Ten Championships to qualify for the NCAA event for the second straight season.
This year's Mark Churella Most Outstanding Freshman Award went to sophomore/freshman heavyweight Ben Apland (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South HS), who registered a 14-18 record in his first varsity season, earning five pins and three major decisions, and took sixth place at the Big Ten meet.
Senior/junior Ryan Selley (Linden, Mich./Linden HS) received the Dr. Donahue Award for Academic Excellence, which goes to the wrestler who has shown exemplary performance in the classroom and maintains the highest grade-point average on the team, for the second straight season. Selley, a neuroscience major with medical school aspirations, is an Academic All-Big Ten selection and has earned U-M Athletic Academic Achievement four times.
Senior/junior Mike Sears (Grand Blanc, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic HS) was presented the 11th Man Award for showing the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to help his teammates. A two-time letterwinner, Sears is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, the governing body of Michigan student-athletes. Under his leadership, Mock Rock XI -- SAAC's largest annual fundraiser -- raised more than $73,000 for a variety of local charities.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
