ITHACA, N.Y.—NCAA champion Troy Nickerson was named Big Red wrestling's team MVP at the annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Lake Watch Inn. Cornell coaches handed out team awards, while honoring the team's five seniors.
Nickerson, who won the NCAA title at 125 pounds this season, was named the Peter J. Floros Memorial Award Outstanding Wrestler after going 25-0. Nickerson won the NCAA title with a 2-1 tiebreaker win over No. 1 Paul Donahoe of Edinboro. Nickerson is a three-time first-team All-Ivy honoree, and he won the EIWA title for the second time this season. He was a runner-up at the NCAA tournament as a freshman (2006) and placed third in 2007 as a sophomore. The Chenango Forks native was also given the Eric LaFrance Tough Guy award after returning this season after missing the 2008 campaign due to injury.
Cam Simaz was given the Russ Martin Award as the team's outstanding freshman. The EIWA and Ivy League Rookie of the Year was the co-leader of the team in wins with a 35-11 record. He qualified for the NCAA tournament after winning the title at the EIWA Championships. Simaz went 4-3 at the NCAA tournament to place eighth and become an All-American at 197 pounds. He entered the tournament unseeded and opened with a 5-3 win over No. 11 Andrew Anderson of Northern Iowa. Simaz lost to No. 6 Max Askren, but rallied to win three-straight matches to earn All-America status.
The Carl W.E. Alquist Award for most improved wrestler was given to sophomore DJ Meagher. Meagher was named second-team All-Ivy this season and with an at-large bid, qualified for his first NCAA tournament. The 149 pounder finished the season with a 15-12 record. Heading into the NCAA tournament, Meagher was ranked 22nd by the Wrestling Report.
Sophomore Mack Lewnes received the team's Most Falls Award after pinning 13 of his opponents. Lewnes notched the lucky number 13 for the second year in a row to total 26 falls for his career. The Annapolis, Md. native was ranked No. 1 in the country at 165 pounds throughout the year and earned EIWA and Ivy League Wrestler of the Year honors. He finished his season with a 35-2 record.
Senior Jordan Leen was awarded the Andy Noel “Leadership” Award after captaining the Big Red to two top-10 finishes the past two seasons. Leen capped off his impressive Cornell career with his third All-America honor with a third place finish at the NCAA tournament. As a junior he won the title at 157 pounds, after finishing eighth his sophomore campaign. Leen ranks sixth in the Cornell record books for career wins with a 118-29 record.
The James Meldrim '63 Memorial Award for outstanding character, sportsmanship and contribution to Cornell wrestling was given to sophomore Mike Grey. Grey is a two-time NCAA qualifier and placed second at the EIWA tournament at 133 pounds this season. Grey earned his second All-Ivy first team nod this season after notching a 5-0 record.
Junior John Basting received the Graham Morin Eleventh Man Award for the greatest contribution by a non-starter. He notched a 13-9 record, picking up bonus points in seven matches. Basting wrestled for Cornell at the Brute Binghamton Open, Penn State Invitational, Southern Scuffle and in three duals at 165 pounds.
Sophomore Justin Kerber earned the Donald Dickason '53 Academic Award for his continued success in the classroom. Kerber is a member of the Red Key Honor Society and was one of only two true freshmen to make the NWCA All-Academic team last season. Kerber finished his second season with Cornell with a 29-11 record and qualified for the NCAA tournament with a second-place finish at the EIWA tournament. With a 4-0 Ancient Eight record, he was named second-team All-Ivy.
Seniors Steve Anceravage, Zach Hammond, Drake Hovis, Tim Ironman and Leen were awarded their senior gifts and addressed the crowd before head coach Rob Koll made his closing remarks.
The Big Red finished fifth at the NCAA tournament this season and capped off a fantastic dual season with a 12-2 record. With a 5-0 mark, Cornell won its seventh-straight Ivy League title.
