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Garland, Henrich Top 2010 VaSID All-State Wrestling Team
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Five Virginia wrestlers were named to the 2010 Virginia Sports Information Directors’ All-State Wrestling Team, announced today by VaSID. UVa also captured two of the three major honors, with head coach Steve Garland winning Coach of the Year laurels and Chris Henrich (Jr., Lansdale, Pa.) earning the state’s Wrestler of the Year award.
The Cavaliers had three wrestlers named to the All-State First Team – Henrich at 174 pounds, Mike Salopek (R-Fr., North Huntingdon, Pa.) at 184 pounds and Brent Jones (R-Sr., Burke, Va.) at 197 pounds.
Matt Snyder (R-Fr., Lewistown, Pa.) and Jack Danilkowicz (R-Jr., Green Oaks, Ill.) each were named to the second team at 133 pounds and heavyweight, respectively.
Garland was named Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to one of the most memorable seasons in program history. After recording the second-most dual wins in a season at UVa (16), the Cavaliers peaked in postseason play. Virginia won its first ACC Championship since 1977, with Garland earning ACC Coach of the Year honors, marking the first time the ACC bestowed that honor on a UVa wrestling coach.
The Cavaliers went on to finish 15th at the NCAA Championships. It was Virginia’s second-best finish in program history behind only the 1957 team’s 10th-place finish.
Henrich had a memorable season of his own, as he finished 35-3 while easily winning the ACC Championship at 174 pounds before taking third place at the NCAA Championships. By virtue of his third-place NCAA finish, Henrich earned All-America honors for the second straight season, becoming the first two-time All-American in Virginia wrestling history.
Salopek posted a 28-10 record in his redshirt freshman season. He recorded one of the more dramatic wins in Virginia wrestling history when he scored a late takedown in the final period against Virginia Tech’s Tommy Spellman in their ACC Championship match. Salopek’s ensuring win provided the clinching points for Virginia to win the team title. Salopek went on to compete at the NCAA Championships.
Jones went 27-13 this season with a team-high 11 falls. He also competed at the NCAA Championships and fell one win shy of reaching All-America status. He finished his Virginia career as the all-time UVa pins record holder with 45. He also ended his career with 106 career wins, which ranks fourth in school history. Jones earned the 2010 Gorrarian Trophy, which is presented to the wrestler who pinned the most opponents in the least amount of time at the NCAA Championships.
Snyder, normally a 125-pounder, wrestled up a weight class for the second half of the year and finished his season with a 27-16 record. He also took runner-up honors at the ACC Championships.
Danilkowicz recorded his best season as a Cavalier with a 19-14 record. After taking third place at the ACC Championships, he earned a berth in the NCAA Championships, where he posted a 1-2 record.
VaSID All-State First Team
125 James Nicholson, Old Dominion
133 Marcus Chevres, Apprentice School
141 Chris Diaz, Virginia Tech
149 Brian Stephens, Virginia Tech
157 Peter Rose, Southern Virginia
165 Chris Brown, Old Dominion
174 Chris Henrich, Virginia
184 Mike Salopek, Virginia
197 Brent Jones, Virginia
HWT Josh Wine, VMI
VaSID All-State Second Team
125 Jarrod Garnett, Virginia Tech
133 Matt Snyder, Virginia
141 Ty Holley, Apprentice School
149 Frankie Gayeski, Liberty
157 Jesse Dong, Virginia Tech
165 Chad Porter, Liberty
174 Mendbagana Tovuujav, George Mason
184 Tommy Spellman, Virginia Tech
197 Jesse Strawn, Old Dominion
HWT Jack Danilkowicz, Virginia
Wrestler of the Year
Chris Henrich, Virginia
Rookie of the Year
Brian Stephens, Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year
Steve Garland, Virginia