Virginia Celebrates Season with Year-End Banquet

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling program held its annual end-of-the-year team banquet on Sunday and honored its graduating wrestlers as well as several award winners following another successful season.

“Today was such a fun day,” Virginia head coach Steve Garland said. “We recognized the many academic and athletic achievements from the past year and honored our outgoing guys. I have seen the evolution of this event over the years and it is so great to look out in the crowd and see alumni, parents, our administration and the Dean of Students all there supporting us.”

Virginia recognized its four outgoing senior wrestlers: Shawn Harris (Cleveland, Ohio), Sam MacGregor (Fredericksburg, Va.), Ryan Malo (Georgetown, Mass.) and Nick Nelson (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

Virginia also honored several of its wrestlers with awards. The full award list:

Freshman of the Year: Nick Sulzer
Jimi Massey Hardest Worker: Jedd Moore and Ryan Malo
Mike Krafchick Academic Achievement Award: Shawn Harris
Freshman Academic Achievement Award: Zach Nye
Kevin Michaels “Heart and Guts Award”: Matt Nelson
John Pegues “Character Award”: Jon Fausey
11th Man Award: Ethan Hayes
Jim Harshaw Outstanding Wrestler Award: Nick Nelson

Virginia completed a standout season in mid-March. The Cavaliers posted an 11-1 regular-season dual-match record; the 91.7 winning percentage was the highest in program history. UVa finished second at the ACC Championships, with three individual champions: Matt Snyder (R-Jr., Lewistown, Pa.) at 125 pounds, Nick Nelson at 141 pounds and Jon Fausey (R-So., Dalmatia, Pa.) at 184 pounds.

Six Cavaliers qualified for the 2012 NCAA Championships, where Virginia tied for 28th place.