Russell Garners Cliff Keen Outstanding Wrestler Award
4/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
April 19, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan wrestling team, which took 15th at the NCAA Championships and crowned its second NCAA champion in three years, celebrated its 2010-11 season and announced the team awards at its annual team banquet on Sunday afternoon (April 17) in the Michigan Union Ballroom.
Senior/junior Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy) was a double award recipient, capturing both the Cliff Keen Award for Most Outstanding Wrestler and the Steve Fraser Award for Mental Toughness. In his return to the lineup after missing last season with injury, Russell became the 21st NCAA champion in U-M program history with a 3-2 decision over Cal Poly's Boris Novachkov in the 141-pound championship finale at the NCAA Tournament, held March 17-19. The victory capped Russell's perfect 38-0 season and netted the Wolverine his second NCAA All-America citation. Russell, who faced top-10 competition in eight of his final 10 matches of the season, also claimed his third Big Ten 141-pound title.
Sophomore Sean Boyle (Lowell, Mass./Blair Academy) received the Jeff Reese Award as the most improved wrestler for his dedication to improving his skills and increasing his contribution to the team. Boyle posted a 28-15 record in his second varsity season at 125 pounds, including a 5-3 mark in Big Ten duals. He took fourth place at the Big Ten Championships to qualify for his first NCAA Tournament, where went 3-2 and fell just a match shy of All-America honors.
This year's Mark Churella Most Outstanding Freshman Award went to sophomore/freshman Eric Grajales (Brandon, Fla./Brandon HS),who surged in the season's second half to garner a 19-14 record at 149 pounds. Grajales won 12 of his last 15 matches and posted 11 bonus win on the season. He took runner-up honors at the Big Ten Championships and, like Boyle, finished just a match shy of NCAA All-America honors.
Sophomore/freshman Brandon Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) received the Dr. Donahue Award for Academic Excellence -- the award that goes to the wrestler who has shown exemplary performance in the classroom and maintains the highest grade-point average on the team. Zeerip is an Academic All-Big Ten selection and has twice earned U-M Athletic Academic Achievement honors. Zeerip posted a 27-13 record this season at 157 pounds.
Fifth-year seniors Aaron Hynes (Mount Morris, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) and Chad Bleske (Washington, Mich./Romeo HS) shared the 11th Man Award for showing the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to help their teammates. Both Wolverines were three-year letterwinners and earned substantial starting time over their collegiate careers. Hynes posted an 89-54 career record, including a 13-11 mark this season at 157 pounds, and qualified for the 2009 NCAA Championships, while Bleske went 27-30 over his heavyweight career.
The Wolverines concluded the 2010-11 season with an 11-5 record, including a 5-3 mark against Big Ten competition. After placing fifth at the Big Ten Championships, U-M posted a 15th-place team showing at the NCAA Championships -- the program's 10th top-15 finish in 11 seasons.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
