Freshman heavyweight tabbed as one of top newcomers in the nation.
Cleveland State freshman heavyweight Joe Dennis has been named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Fourth Team, according to the May 12 issue of the publication.
The 2004-05 Eastern Wrestling League Freshman of the Year, Dennis set a school record for a freshman with 29 wins. The Urban, Ohio native went 6-0 in league dual meets and advanced to the championship match in the EWL Tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. He then posted a pair of wins in his first national tournament before bowing out.
Dennis was named the EWL Wrestler of the Week and national wrestler of the week by TheMat.com after scoring the match-deciding win at No. 25 Edinboro on Feb. 11, throwing down and pinning Joe Hennis with 10 seconds left in the bout to give CSU a 22-20 win. He followed that performance with an insurance decision against Clarion on Feb. 13 as the Vikings came away with a 25-18 victory.
“I’m thrilled that Joe has been recognized as one of the top freshmen nationally, “head coach Jack Effner said. “He had an outstanding season and will only get better in the coming years.”
Freshman Marcus Effner was also noted by Amateur Wrestling News as one of the top wrestlers at 157 pounds despite not being named to a team.
Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team Heavyweight Selections
First Team – Dustin Fox, Northwestern
Second Team – Matt Fields, Iowa
Third Team – Kirk Nail, Ohio State
Fourth Team – Joe Dennis, Cleveland State
Fifth Team – Zach Shaeffer, Pittsburgh
Sixth Team – Adam LoPiccolo, American
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