For the second time in his U-M career, fifth-year senior captain Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Northville HS) was the recipient of the CLIFF KEEN AWARD for the team's most outstanding wrestler. In his final season at Michigan, Churella posted a near-perfect 29-1 record and advanced to the 165-pound final at the NCAA Championships. He ended his career as a three-time All-American and a three-time Big Ten Conference champion, just the eighth Wolverine in program history to accomplish such a task. His 117-18 career record places him sixth in the U-M record book for career winning percentage (.867) and 15th in career wins. He also ranks ninth among the all-time pin leaders with 35 career falls.
The STEVE FRASER AWARD for mental toughness went to sophomore/freshman Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS), who battled through adversity to register a 14-12 record in his first varsity season and earn a trip to the NCAA Championships after claiming a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten meet. Earlier in the season, Luke defeated a pair of opponents among the top four in the nation en route to the 157-pound title at the Cliff Keen Invitational as well as national and conference wrestler of the week recognition.
Sophomore/freshman Casey White (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake HS) was named the recipient of the DR. DONAHUE AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, the award that goes to the wrestler who has shown exemplary performance in the classroom and maintains the highest grade point average on the team. White, who plans to transfer into the Stephen M. Ross School of Business after the winter semester, also earned Big Ten All-Academic honors and is a two-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award recipient.
Fifth-year senior captain Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) received the JEFF REESE AWARD as the most improved wrestler for his dedication to improving his skills and increasing his contribution to the team. While already establishing himself as one of the nation's top heavyweight in previous seasons, the U-M captain was simply dominant in his final collegiate season. Removing eight falls and a forfeit victory, 21 of his matches went the distance in 2005-06 with Wagner boasting a 155-28 combined winning margin. He closed out his U-M career with his greatest performance at the NCAA Championships in four appearances, claiming third-place honors behind a 5-1 record with three falls and a major decision. A three-time All-American, Wagner's career record of 134-37 ranks him seventh on Michigan's all-time wins list.
This year's MARK CHURELLA MOST OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD went to sophomore/freshman Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS). Behind a 20-12 season record, Todd demonstrated his ability to go toe-to-toe with the nation's best 184-pound competition. Of his 12 losses during the season, eight came by two points or less while three required overtime. He qualified for the NCAA tournament in just his first varsity season by claiming fifth place at the conference meet with wins against a pair of top-10 opponents.
The 11TH MAN AWARD went to fifth-year senior Willie Breyer (Oxford, Mich./Oxford HS) for showing the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to always help his teammates. Breyer, who moved in and out of the lineup while battling with injury throughout the season, staged one of the most impressive performances at the Big Ten Championships, rallying from a first-round loss to post three straight wins and qualify for his first NCAA Championships. Breyer wrapped up his U-M career with a 50-45 mark and boasted 17 falls.
The Wolverines concluded the 2005-06 season with a 16-2 dual record and a 8-0 Big Ten mark, earning their third straight conference dual-meet crown. After placing third at the Big Ten Championships, U-M posted a seventh-place team showing at the NCAA Championships, marking the program's sixth consecutive top-10 performance at the national meet.
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