The Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, named after legendary wrestler Dave Schultz, is presented annually to a high school senior and based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service.

Duncan is Tennessee’s first five-time state champion and was recently featured in Sports Illustrated for this accomplishment. His career record stands at 206-20.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum selected the 2011 state and regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award as part of its Educational Outreach Program. Forty-nine seniors from those states that sponsor high school state wrestling championships were chosen for the honor.

“A graduate of Palo Alto High School and the University of Oklahoma, Dave Schultz was one of the most respected high school, collegiate, and international wrestlers the United States has ever had,” said Lee Roy Smith, executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Regarded as a tireless competitor and supreme technician on the mat, Schultz was beloved throughout the world of amateur wrestling for his friendliness and eagerness to lend help or advice to teammates and opponents alike. Schultz passed away in 1996. He was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997.

Since the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award’s inception in 1996, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has recognized 677 student-wrestlers. The national award winner will be chosen from the regional winners and announced on April 21. The winner will attend the annual Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on June 8 and 9 to personally accept the award.

“These student-wrestlers are role models in their communities and influence young people in a very meaningful way,” Smith said. “Statistics show that both male and female students are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and become more productive citizens when they are involved in extra curricular activities and after school programs like sports, theater, debate and music.”

The five regional winners are:

Northeast Region – Nico Megaludis compiled a record of 170-1 winning the State Championship as a Sophomore, Junior and Senior at Franklin Regional High School in Pennsylvania. As a senior, he was honored with the “Most Outstanding Wrestler” award while competing in the 125 pound weight class. He is also a four-time WPIAL Champion and was named “Outstanding Wrestler” in 2011. Megaludis also is a two-time Fargo All-American and was named the 2011 Pennsylvania wrestler of the year. He volunteers as a referee and coach for the Junior Wrestling program, and also volunteers with the Mother of Sorrows Food Bank. He carries a 3.41 weighted G.P.A. and will be attending Pennsylvania State University this fall.

Midwest Region – Destin McCauley is from Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota and has amassed a career record of 286-7 and 197 pins. He is a five-time state high school champion and finished his senior year with a perfect 49-0 record. McCauley has also won two-national freestyle titles and a Pan-American title and plans to try out for the 2012 USA Olympic team. McCauley also spends his free time working with the youth wrestling teams at Apple Valley and surrounding communities. He also volunteers as an official for youth tournaments. His academic achievements include a 3.7 G.P.A., a two-time academic All-State winner, and a four-time academic All Conference winner. He will be attending the University of Wisconsin this fall.

Central Region – Cody Brewer compiled a career record of 198-6 for Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a four-time State Champion and was named All Metro Wrestler of the Year for the Kansas City area in 2011. Other honors include a championship at the Toshiba Midwest Classic, a third place finish at the 2010 Junior freestyle nationals, a third place finish in the 2007 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman as well as a double championship in the 2088 Cadet Nationals, as well as earning a spot of the USA Wrestling FILA team in 2009. He has served two years as an adaptive physical education assistance, which helps disabled children be more active. He maintains a G.P.A. of 3.2 and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

West Region – Morgan McIntosh compiled a career record of 189-5 with 128 pins for Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, California. He is a three-time state champion and a freestyle national Champion at Fargo Junior National in 2010. McIntosh was also a double Junior Western Regionals Champion in 2008 for both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He also was the 2010 Ironman Champion and a two-time Flo Nationals Champion. His community service includes being involved with the Calvary Chapel hydroponic project which included a mission trip to Mexico to construct and maintain the unit near Ensenada. McIntosh was also the only high school student to go on the tsunami relief trip to American Samoa in 2009 to help rebuild a devastated village. In addition, he volunteers as a kids coach with Team Thunder Kids as well as assisting with camps and clinics. He maintains a 3.2 weighted G.P.A. and plans to attend Pennsylvania State University this fall.

Southeast Region – Caleb Ervin is from Union County High School in Morganfield, Kentucky. Amassing a career record of 199-7, he won three high school State Championships and was awarded “Athlete of the Year” by the Kentucky Coaches Association. In addition, he was a four-time Region 1 Champion and was named “Outstanding Wrestler” in 4 out of 5 tournaments his senior year. Ervin was all voted to the All Resilient Team by the Army National Guard for his inspiring recovery from a farming accident. His community service involves spearheading a local can food drive with his teammates to “Wrestle Hunger in Union County” collecting and delivering more that 1500 cans to the local food pantry. He also coaches adults in a bi-annual six week fundraiser/fitness class called “Champ Camp,” and referees at all elementary league tournaments. Ervin currently maintains a 3.5 G.P.A. and is a member of the National Honors Society. He plans to attend the University of Illinois this fall.

2011 Winners by State, Name and School
Alabama, Michael Jordan, Auburn High School
Alaska, Matt Malnoske, East Anchorage High School
Arizona, Kory DeBerry, Sunnyside High School
Arkansas, Tyler Binford, Central Arkansas Christian High School
California, Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School
Colorado, Connor Medberry, Loveland High School
Connecticut, Patrick Gillen, Shelton High School
Delaware, Codey Combs, Sussex Central High School
Florida, Earl Hall, South Dade High School
Georgia, Jonathan Rivera, Kennesaw Mountain High School
Hawaii, Shayden Terukina, Kapalama High School
Idaho, Tanner Hall, Meridian High School
Illinois, Austin Marsden, Crystal Lake Central High School
Indiana, Drake Stein, Princeton Community High School
Iowa, Cody Caldwell, Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High
Kansas, Ryne Cokeley, St. James Academy
Kentucky, Caleb Ervin, Union County High School
Louisiana, Mark Pinero, Archbishop Rummel High School
Maine, Forest Cornell, Lisbon High School
Maryland, Lex Ozias, Southern Garrett High School
Massachusetts, Kyle Visconti, Malden Catholic High School
Michigan, Conor Youtsey, Mason High School
Minnesota, Destin McCauley, Apple Valley High School
Missouri, Cody Brewer, Oak Park High School
Montana, Jade Rauser, Broadwater High School
Nebraska, Austin Wilson, Hastings Catholic High School
Nevada, Napoleon Aniciete, Bishop Gorman High School
New Hampshire, Nick Lawrence, Timberlane Regional High School
New Jersey, Andrew Compolattano, Bound Brook High School
New Mexico, Matthew Nunez,Rio Rancho High School
New York, Nick Gwiazdowski, Duanesburg High School
North Carolina, Harrison Honeycutt, Lake Norman High School
North Dakota, Joe Schumacher, Bismarck High School
Ohio, Cam Tessari, Monroeville High School
Oklahoma, Zach Skates, Broken Arrow High School
Oregon, Seth Thomas, Roseburg High School
Pennsylvania, Nico Megaludis, Franklin Regional High School
Rhode Island, Mike Meyers, Warwick Veterans High School
South Carolina, Aaron Hansen, Summerville High School
South Dakota, Logan Storley, Webster High School
Tennessee, T.J. Duncan, McCallie High School
Texas, Andy Rico, Eastwood High School
Utah, Kesni Tasuinga, Bingham High School
Vermont, George Mitchell, Otter Valley Union High School
Virginia, Henry Carlson, Frank W Cox High School
Washington, Chris Castillo, Zillah High School
West Virginia, Josh Fisher, Roane County High School
Wisconsin, Jesse Thielke, Germantown High School
Wyoming, Austin Breckenridge, Central High School

“I am very excited about this class,” said McCoy. “It really came together pretty late as most of the guys finalized the decision on the last day. It is a credit to our staff for putting the time in making it happen.”

Geoffrey Alexander (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy), Kyle Dehaut (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic), T.J. Duncan (Rossville, Ga./McCallie), Josh Polacek (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) and Josh Snook (Bear, De./St. Marks) all signed on to attend Maryland and wrestle for the Terps.

Geoffrey Alexander

Expected to wrestle at 133 pounds for the Terps, Geoffrey Alexander won the Super 32 Challenge earlier this year. As a freshman at Shady Side Academy, Alexander placed fifth in states. As a sophomore, Alexander placed sixth and last year, he finished third.

“Geoff is a great person and comes from a great family. We are very fortunate get him,” said McCoy. “He is not only a great person, but a great wrestler. He has placed in the states three times and has a great shot at winning it this year.”

T.J. Duncan attends McCallie High in Chatanooga, Tenn., and comes to Maryland as one of only seven individuals in state tournament history to claim four titles and the first with the opportunity to win a fifth.

T.J. Duncan

“Coming from Tennessee, T.J. kind of flew under the radar,” said McCoy. “He has won four state titles and almost every four-timer out of Tennessee has become an All-American and two have been in the NCAA finals. We know he has great potential.”

Kyle Dehaut

Finishing his junior season with a 36-8 record, Kyle Dehaut placed second at the PIAA 2A Championships and won district and regional titles for Bethlehem Catholic. Dehaut will wrestle at 157 pounds for the Terps.

“Kyle has a great work ethic and a lot of talent,” said McCoy. “I don’t think he has even scratched the surface of his potential and look at what he has already accomplished. He is going to have a great collegiate career.”

A fourth-place finisher at the NHSCA Junior National Championships, Josh Polacek of Westmont Hilltop High School placed fourth at the PIAA 2A Championships as a junior and third as a sophomore.

Josh Polacek

Polacek will compete at 125 pounds next season.

“Josh has been to our camps and really fits well with our team,” said McCoy. “He is a very hard worker and has a great attitude. He will be a great addition to our light-weight group and I expect great things from him.”

The final member of Maryland’s 2011-12 fall recruiting class, Josh Snook most recently placed fifth at the Super 32 Challenge. As an eight-grader, Snook placed sixth in the state and has steadily improved since, having finished in the top-three in his freshman, sophomore and junior years. Snook is also the younger brother of Maryland redshirt-freshman Ty Snook.

Josh Snook

“Josh has had a great career. He has placed in a lot of very tough tournaments and has wins over some of the nation’s top wrestlers,” said McCoy. “It is great to have him join his brother Ty on the squad because they are so close. They will also push each other because neither wants to bfe outdone by the other.”

With only six current wrestlers in their last season of eligibility, Maryland will return an already strong and relatively young team next season, which should make for a tough squad to beat, thanks to the addition of this prized recruiting class.

“These guys represent everything we are looking for in Maryland wrestlers,” said McCoy. “They believe in us and we believe in them. I am looking forward to following them closer now that they are committed to us and I can’t wait to get them in our room.”

-ES-

Off to college

Cox’s Dorsay picks Maryland

Cox’s Ben Dorsay, a three-time state wrestling champion with 163 career victories, has signed with Maryland.

Dorsay finished with a 163-14 record and collected 114 pins. He won three Group AAA state titles, including this past season at 145 pounds. Among his other accomplishments: Beast of the East champion; Outstanding Wrestler in the National High School Division of the Virginia Duals; champion and Outstanding Wrestler at the U.S. Marine Corps Ultimate Challenge; Asics All-American.

—- — The Valley’s two state wrestling champions, Selinsgrove’s Spencer Myers and Line Mountain’s Zain Retherford, added another honor to their stellar seasons when they were named to the 25th annual ASICS All-America Wrestling Team.

Thirteen wrestlers from Pennsylvania are among the 42 honored as All-Americans. Myers, the 215-pound PIAA champ in Class AAA, is one of a record eight Keystone state wrestlers on the first team, while Retherford, the Class AA champ at 103, is a third-team selection.

The All-American team is selected by a national panel of wrestling experts and is the only national all-star team which wrestlers enrolled in all four high school grades are eligible. Members of the first team, as well as the ASICS Wrestler of the Year, will be honored before the finals at the Junior Nationals in July in Fargo, N.D.

Myers, who finished a stellar season unbeaten at 44-0, won his first PIAA title after finishing as the runner-up a year ago. Myers, bound for Maryland in the fall, is part of a talented first team that combined to win 30 state or national prep titles, along with eight Junior National and Cadet National titles.

Other Pennsylvania wrestlers joining Myers on the first team are Nick Roberts of North Star (103), Josh Dziewa of Council Rock South (135), Josh Kindig of Blue Mountain (140), Andrew Alton of Central Mountain (145), Dylan Alton of Central Mountain (152), Marshall Peppleman of Central Dauphin (160) and Michael McMullan of Wyoming Seminary (285).

Retherford, who suffered just one loss in his first season of varsity wrestling, won the state title at 103 pounds. A third-team selection, Retherford is the only freshman on any of the top three teams. He actually beat Roberts, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country and a first-team All-American, in the state semifinals back in March.

Retherford is part of the third team that features 27 state titleists, one Junior National and seven Cadet National title winners.

5/7/2010
InterMat Staff

InterMat has released its recruiting class rankings for 2010.

Iowa, on the strength of six Top 100 recruits, five of which are ranked inside the Top 30, sits atop the rankings. Fellow Big Ten Conference programs Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota are next in the rankings with five Top 100 wrestlers each.

1. Iowa

2. Penn State

3. Northwestern

4. Minnesota

5. Iowa State

6. Nebraska

7. Indiana

8. Cornell

9. Arizona State

10. Maryland

Top 100 Recruits: No. 41 Spencer Myers (Selinsgrove, MD), No. 43 Ben Dorsay (Cox, VA), No. 46 Frank Goodwin (Arundel, MD), No. 72 Mark Hartenstine (Easton, PA)

Commentary: Out goes a senior class that produced three NCAA All-Americans, including the program’s first ever three-time All-American in Hudson Taylor. In comes a group of four Top 100 recruits to provide a much needed compliment to the overall roster for head coach Kerry McCoy. The Terrapins seek to build upon a school-record of 19 dual meet victories, as well as consecutive seasons with multiple All-Americans and a top 20 finish at the NCAA tournament.

In December he was an all-state defensive end for the Selinsgrove football team as the Seals won the PIAA Class AAA championship at Hersheypark Stadium.  A few months later, Myers was back in the “Sweetest Place on Earth.” This time he was across the parking lot in the Giant Center.

The result was another gold medal.

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Frank Goodwin

Arundel, senior, 130 pounds

The senior took his Maryland Independent Schools state title and his reputation to Arundel from Mount St. Joseph this season and set about quietly impressing the public school wrestling community.

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