ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan wrestling team, which claimed runner-up honors at the NCAA Championships, wrapped up its 2004-05 season and announced the team awards at its annual team banquet on Saturday (April 9).
For the second time in his U-M career, fifth-year senior Ryan Bertin (Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Edward HS) was the recipient of the CLIFF KEEN AWARD for the team’s most outstanding wrestler. In his final season at Michigan, Bertin posted a near-perfect 31-1 record en route to his second NCAA 157-pound title. He ended his career as just the fifth four-time All-American in program history and moved to fifth on U-M’s all-time wins list with a career mark of 142-21.
The STEVE FRASER AWARD for mental toughness went to sophomore/freshman Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS), who battled through an early-season ankle injury and illness at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors in his first varsity season. Churella posted an impressive 22-4 record — inlcuding a near-perfect 16-1 dual meet record — and captured the Big Ten 141-pound title.
For the second consecutive year senior/junior Charles Kalil (Midland, Mich./Dow 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. A political science major in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Kalil is a Big Ten All-Academic selection and a three-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award recipient.
Senior/junior captain Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi 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. Moving up two weight classes to 165 pounds this season, the Wolverine captain posted a career-best 35-3 record, which included a 34-match winning streak, the second longest in U-M program history. Churella won his second straight Big Ten individual title and earned NCAA All-America honors for the second time with a fourth-place national finish.
This year’s MARK CHURELLA MOST OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD went to sophomore/freshman Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS). Tannenbaum led the Wolverines in wins this season with a 36-5 overall mark in his rookie campaign and was a near-perfect 15-1 in dual meets. The U-M freshman captured the Big Ten 149-pound title and earned NCAA All-America status behind a fourth-place performance at the NCAA Championships.
The 11TH MAN AWARD went to fifth-year senior Jeremiah Tobias (Manchester, Mich./Manchester HS) for the third consecutive season for showing the most outstanding team dedication and effort in his willingness to always help his teammates. Tobias, who started in three dual meets for the Maize and Blue at 149 pounds, posted a season record of 14-2 and a team-leading 13 falls. Tobias wrapped up his Michigan tenure with the school record in career falls, earning 57 over his five U-M seasons.
The Wolverines concluded the 2004-05 season with a 17-3 dual record and a 7-0-1 Big Ten mark, earning their second straight conference dual-meet crown. After placing third at the Big Ten Championships, U-M boasted a runner-up team showing at the NCAA Championships, matching the program’s top performance at the national tournament.
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