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    Hodge trophies share home for first time

    EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern became the center of the college wrestling world Saturday when NU held its annual end-of-the-season banquet at the Wildfire Glenview. W.I.N. Magazine was on hand to present NU senior Jake Herbert his 2009 Hodge Trophy as well as freshman Jason Welch with his 2008 Junior Hodge Trophy, marking the first time since the awards' inceptions that both have gone to members of the same college team.

    "This occasion was just a great chance to celebrate NU wrestling and one that kind of makes you sit up and take notice of where our program is right now," said Northwestern head coach Tim Cysewski. "The fact that we are the only school to have a national title-winner each of the past three years I think shows this is a great place to come and train to be a champion."

    This is the 15th season that W.I.N. Magazine and the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, has issued the Hodge Trophy. Winners are selected based on seven criteria: overall record, number of pins, dominance, past credentials, quality of competition, sportsmanship and heart.

    Herbert won college wrestling's Heisman Trophy equivalent after finishing his career by winning the 2009 NCAA title at 184 pounds to cap a perfect 34-0 season, the second unbeaten season of his career. On his way to four top-three finishes at the NCAA championships, Herbert moved into fifth place among all Division I college wrestlers since the 1974-75 season with a four-year winning percentage of .971 (135-4).

    "It feels good to know that I'm leaving the program in a great place and knowing that there are guys coming behind me like Jason who can carry on the legacy," Herbert said. "I think Tim and (associate head coach) Drew (Pariano) have built the program up to where it will be successful year in and year out."

    Welch's Junior Dan Hodge Trophy was presented in recognition of his achievements while at Las Lomas High School in California where he became the 13th wrestler in state history to win three state championships. Welch, who went undefeated his senior year to finish with a career mark of 194-7, translated his high school dominance into success on the college level, placing second in the Big Ten at 157 pounds while qualifying for his first NCAA Championships.
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