2019-20 Ohio State Wrestling – A Season That Won’t Be Forgotten
4/22/2020 9:50:47 AM | General
ADDITIONAL INFO
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University wrestling program hosted its annual awards banquet virtually this season and presented eight accolades.
Like any good banquet, the festivities began with some opening remarks from the head coach. Here is what Tom Ryan had to ‘say’…
And, now on with the awards…
FAN OF THE YEAR
The first time Cole Oneacre met Tom Ryan, he was decked out in Maize and Blue. One invite to an Ohio State wrestling match and that changed quickly. Cole delivered an inspiring speech to the team prior to the win over Arizona State. Take a listen.
HIGHEST GPA
Rocky Jordan is a Sport Industry major with an impressive 3.96 cumulative GPA!
KOSTA KARAGEORGE BATTLING BUCKEYE
Named after the late Kosta Karageorge, a Buckeye wrestler and football player. Awarded to a non-starter who, like Kosta, exhibits selflessness.
-‘team-first’
-do anything to help greater cause
-never afraid to compete.
This year’s winner is…
Gavin Hoffman competed nearly every weekend, traveling to wrestle in nine tournaments and taking the mat a total of 36 times. He was crowned champion five times while also training daily with his upperweight Buckeye teammates to better their postseason chances.
MOST IMPROVED
This award can be measured in a variety of ways — year to year, start of season to end or over the course of a career. The timeframe isn’t as critical as the change! Improvement comes to those who work, believe & execute. This year’s recipient did all three!
Kaleb Romero took a mammoth leap in Year #3 donning the Scarlet & Gray. The redshirt sophomore earned NWCA All-America First Team honors as the sixth-seeded wrestler for the NCAA Championships. He went 19-7 overall, a mark which included 10 victories over top-25 opponents.
CONFIDENCE!!! & believing in my training. It makes it easier when you have the best teammates and coaches in the country
— Kaleb Romero (@KalebRomero7) April 21, 2020
MOST COURAGEOUS
Given to the team member who demonstrates bravery and determination above the already high standard of a typical collegiate wrestlers. This season’s award goes to…
‘Gas Tank’ Gary Traub fueled many Covelli Center uproars, filling up the win column with a handful of last minute heroics.
The former walk-on answered the call when placed in the starting lineup. He took the opportunity and sprinted to NCAA Championships qualification.
The weighs in on his award pic.twitter.com/OyU8FeH9LL
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) April 22, 2020
CHRIS FORD FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Coach Ford served as Buckeye head coach from 1977-86 and played an integral part in sustaining the success of OSU wrestling. This laurel goes to a young athlete at the beginning of his journey who shows tremendous promise.
The ’20 winner is…
Sammy Sasso burst onto the scene boasting a 24-3 overall record and No. 1 ranking for several weeks. He racked up a dozen top-25 wins and was entering the NCAA Championships seeded third nationally.
feels great . couldn’t of made it happen without my coaches n teammates . skobucks baby . https://t.co/lbH3V8tIeI
— sasso chamberlain (@sammysasso) April 22, 2020
RAY MENDOZA LEADERSHIP AWARD
Honoring Buckeye wrestler & Marine Corps Major Ray Mendoza, who lost his life while serving his county in Iraq, this award goes to the wrestler who best exudes the leadership qualities which Ray blessed our world with.
The two winners are…
Luke Pletcher and Kollin Moore are both worthy of this prestigious honor. The pair served as team captains and were the first two Buckeyes to earn ‘black shirt’ status in program history. Both led by example as well, favorites to win individual national titles as No. 1 seeds.
TOMMY ROWLANDS CO-MVP
Our MVP distinction is named after Buckeye legend Tommy Rowlands. It goes to the wrestler(s) with most outstanding season and provided unmatched value to the team.
Again, we must split this honor between…
Kollin Moore and Luke Pletcher both capped their season as B1G champs and top seeds for the NCAA Championships.
The duo combined for 53 victories in 54 bouts and ‘bonus-ed’ their opposition a total of 36 times.
Both will go down as two of the best to ever don an OSU singlet.
