Spartan Wrestling Team Holds Annual Awards Banquet

April 18, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sophomore brothers Nick and Andy Simmons showcased the 2005 Michigan State wrestling awards banquet April 17, at the Kellogg Center, taking home a combined four team awards in addition to special recognition for earning All-American honors.

In 2004-05, Nick Simmons compiled a 32-4 record, and a fourth place finish at the 2005 NCAA Championships en route to his first-career selection as MSU's outstanding wrestler. Simmons won tournament championships at the North Carolina Open and the Midlands Championships, and is Michigan State's first Big Ten champion since 2000. He also captured the Most Exciting Wrestler Award for his unorthodox style.

Andy Simmons finished 2004-05 with a 32-6 record, and despite a knee injury at the 2005 NCAA Championships, managed to take sixth place at 141 pounds. Simmons' performance earned him the Most Falls Award with 11 pins on the season, and the Tom Muir Most Improved Award.

Junior captain Darren McKnight also garnered a pair of awards, earning the Perseverance Award for his dedication and work ethic, as well as the Grady Peninger Scholastic Achievement Award, which goes to the Spartan with the highest grade point average over the past two semesters. An accounting major, McKnight notched a 3.8 GPA last semester and a 3.625 over the past year.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Froese and Greg Goidosik were both honored with the 2005 Commitment Award, and Joe Williams won the Outstanding Freshman Award for his 22-8 record before being marred by a knee injury.

Transfer R.J. Boudro was awarded the Collins-Mikles Award for his tremendous leadership in his first year with the program.