UNI finished the season with a dual mark of 7-5-1 and qualified nine wrestlers for the NCAA Championships. The Panthers also captured the Western Wrestling Conference dual and tournament championships. UNI was a perfect 4-0 in league dual action for the second consecutive season. The Panthers then finished off the WWC season by winning the NCAA West Regional/WWC title. The regional win marked the 23rd straight regional crown for the Panthers.
The Panthers then placed 20th in the nation at the 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships held March 20-22 in the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. UNI's Moza Fay led the way with a 5th-place finish in the 165-pound weight class.
Junior Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) was named the Most Valuable Wrestler at the banquet. It marks the second straight season Fay has earned the Panthers' MVW award after sharing it last year with Nick Baima. Fay posted an overall record of 25-8 and led the squad with 11 falls. He was also named the WWC's Wrestler of the Year for 2007-08.
Senior Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.) was given the Chuck Patten Award, which is based on leadership. Dolly reached the Round of 12 at the 2008 NCAA Championships and came within one victory of All-America status. Dolly also reached the Round of 12 at the 2005 NCAA Championships. He was a three-time national qualifier and posted 60 career wins for the Panthers.
Junior Andrew Anderson earned the Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award. The award recognizes an individual who exhibits the highest standards in citizenship, academics, practice and dedication. Anderson qualified for the NCAA Championships for the third straight season and posted a record of 21-11 in 2007-08. Anderson holds a 3.29 grade point average while majoring in business management.
Redshirt freshman Dustin Bauman (Stratford, Wis.) was awarded the McCready/Steffensmeier Award for leadership. Bauman was a third-team all-WWC selection and earned 13 wins this season for the Panthers at heavyweight.
Senior Danny Dunning (Waterloo, Iowa) was given the Most Courageous Award. Dunning tallied an 8-5 mark in 2007-08, while dealing the sudden death of his father, Walt.
Sophomore Tyson Reiner (Mitchell, S.D.) garnered the Most Improved Award. Reiner qualified for the NCAA Championships and captured a win over Michigan's Jeff Marsh, 5-2. Reiner missed the first part of the 2007-08 season with a broken bone in his hand, but bounced back to win the 157-pound West Regional title. Reiner was a first-team all-WWC pick this season.
Freshman Nick Pickerell (Albia, Iowa) tallied the Rookie Award at the banquet. Pickerell was also named the WWC Freshman of the Year after tallying a 21-9 overall record. Pickerell earned a trip to the NCAA Championships after winning the 149-pound title at the NCAA West Regional. Pickerell was also a first-team all-WWC pick.
True freshman Christian Brantley (Homewood, Ill.) was given the Redshirt Award.
UNI's four seniors were also recognized by head coach Brad Penrith and the rest of the UNI coaching staff.
UNI's 2007-08 Senior Class
Alex Dolly (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Danny Dunning (Waterloo, Iowa)
C.J. Ettelson (Hudson, Iowa)
Justin Swafford (Mediapolis, Iowa)
2007-08 Award Winners
Redshirt Award - Christian Brantley
Rookie Award - Nick Pickerell
Most Improved Award - Tyson Reiner
Most Courageous Award - Danny Dunning
McCready/Steffensmeier Award - Dustin Bauman
Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award - Andrew Anderson
Chuck Patten Award - Alex Dolly
Most Valuable Wrestler Award - Moza Fay
NOTE: Mike Mixsell served as the emcee for the event - the 26th consecutive year he has served in that capacity.
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