May 12, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio wrestling held its annual banquet over the weekend, capping the 2008-09 season and honoring those Bobcats who shined on and off the mat over the course of the year. Head coach Joel Greenlee completed his 12th season at the helm of the program, guiding the squad to a 9-9-1 overall record and a third place regular season finish in the Mid-American Conference.

Clay Tucker led the team as co-captain in his redshirt junior season, posting a 21-16 record that garnered him the Most Wins award. The Martins Ferry, Ohio native was also voted the Most Valuable Wrestler by his teammates, presented to an Ohio wrestler who has shown both athletic and academic excellence.

The other co-captain, Germane Lindsey, took home the Hardest Worker accolade as determined by the team, which is presented to the Ohio wrestler who exhibited dedication above and beyond what was required. This athlete is at every practice, puts in extra time on his own and puts forth maximum effort every day. Lindsey, from Cincinnati, Ohio, posted a 10-9 record in his sophomore campaign and placed fourth at the conference tournament.

After a breakout year that saw him finish 12-6, Erik Schuth collected Most Improved honors. From Spencerport, N.Y., Schuth earned the MAC Wrestler of the Week award on Jan. 21 and was ranked in the final NCAA Coaches' poll after his sophomore season.

The Most Courageous award, presented to the Ohio wrestler who has overcome an obstacle during the season in order to help the team, was given to Tim Silvers (Eaton, Ohio), who was thrust into the starting role at 125 pounds as a true freshman and finished the year with a 9-21 record.

Another true freshman in Josh Speelman (Mansfield, Ohio) earned the Redshirt of the Year award, presented to the Ohio wrestler who has made the most out of his redshirt season. Speelman won gold at the Simonson Open and recently placed seventh at the University Greco-Roman National Championship.

Matt Reedy (Hiram, Ohio) took home the Highest GPA award, as he excelled both on the mat and in the classroom as a pre-med major. Reedy had a strong start to the season, posting a 4-2 record, but unfortunately his redshirt freshman season was cut short due to injury.

The Highest Winning Percentage honor was claimed by Jacob Ison (Batavia, Ohio) after he turned in a 10-3 ledger for his redshirt junior campaign, while Gabe Ramos (Hopatcong, N.J.) recorded eight falls over the course of his true freshman season, earning him the honor for Most Pins.

At heavyweight, Andy Hartshorn (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) won the Fastest Fall award, taking down Zak Saevre of Northern Illinois in 33 seconds. Finally, Quentin Keyes (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) was recognized for earning the Most Team Points with 78 on the year. As a redshirt sophomore, Keyes finished with a mark of 18-14 overall and 10-7 in dual competition.