Spartan Wrestling Announces 2020 Team Awards

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State wrestling head coach Roger Chandler announced the team award winners for the 2019-20 season on Friday, April 24.

The Spartans finished the 2020 season with an 8-10 overall record and secured a 10th place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Seven Spartan wrestlers, Logan Griffin, Garrett Pepple (alternate), Alex Hrisopoulos, Jake Tucker, Drew Hughes, Layne Malczewski and Cameron Caffey, qualified for the 2020 NCAA Championships scheduled to be held at USBank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is no doubt there is a lot to celebrate about the 2019-20 season," Chandler said. "Our program continues to rise and come together as one unit. We preach all the time what it means to be Spartan Strong! It's our culture, which is men of high moral character who are committed to being great every day in both the classroom and on the wrestling mat, who bring the consistency to be better each and every day.

"There were so many individuals that deserve the recognition of taking our program to the next level. I say with great pride that every single person on our roster has had a positive impact to move our us forward this past year."

Leadership Award - Cameron Caffey

Caffey, a redshirt sophomore from Carbondale, Illinois, was recognized for his commitment, dedication and leadership as a Spartan wrestler, receiving the Collins-Mikles Leadership Award. Caffey is a two-time NCAA Qualifier and has posted 20-win seasons in all three years as a Spartan. Caffey continued to show his leadership traits throughout the season, propelling the Spartans to a 19-17 upset win over No. 4 Wisconsin and securing a second-place finish at the Big Ten Championships at 184 pounds.

The Collins-Mikles Leadership Award is named after two Spartans, Fendley Collins and Gale Mikles, who had a tremendous impact on Michigan State wrestling for over three decades. Collins was the head coach of the Spartans from 1930-1962 and coached 43 All-Americans, 12 NCAA Champions and led his team to 14 NCAA top 10 finishes, including three runner-up finishes at the NCAA Championships. Mikles was a NCAA Champion for the Spartans in 1947 and a three-time All-American at 155 pounds. Mikles was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992 and held a career record of 44-2 over three years.

"Cam Caffey no doubt took a step forward this year not only from a results standpoint but became a vocal leader that was always honest with his teammates on what he thought they needed to do in order to climb that next step," Chandler said.

The Tom Muir Most Improved Award went to redshirt junior Alex Hrisopoulos. A native of Shelby Township, Michigan, Hrisopoulous competed in all but one dual for the Spartans during the 2019-20 season. Wrestling at 149 pounds, Hrisopoulos compiled 16 wins on the season and a third-place finish at the Cougar Clash in December. Hrisopoulos went 3-2 at the Big Ten Championships, and sealed a seventh-place finish with a fall over Cole Martin, who ranked No. 13 by FloWrestling at the time. Hrisopoulos qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career.

Muir began wrestling as a senior in high school and joined the Spartans as a walk-on. After a slow start to his wrestling career at Michigan State, Muir went on to become a Big Ten Champion his senior season in 1969. Muir attributes his improvement and success to his work ethic, his teammates and his enjoyment and love of the sport.

"Alex is one of those guys that came into the room every day just trying to become a better version of himself," Chandler said. "He had a few top 25 wins throughout the season but the icing on the cake was when he beat a top 10 opponent in his placement match at the Big Ten Championships. This was someone who he lost to just a few weeks earlier in a dual. Alex always stayed focused on what he could control and in the end he qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time."

The Outstanding Wrestler of the Year award went to Caffey. A computer engineering major, Caffey achieved numerous accomplishments throughout the 2019-20 season, including a 27-7 overall record after a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships at 184 pounds. Caffey claimed three top 5 finishes in open tournaments, including a second-place finish at the Cougar Clash on Dec. 7. Caffey finished 16-2 in the dual season and reeled off 12-straight wins from Jan. 17 to March 8, including six wins against fellow ranked wrestlers during that stretch. Caffey climbed the rankings as high as No. 7 by FloWrestling and earned a two-seed at the Big Ten Championships, where he finished second to No. 1-seed Aaron Brooks of Penn State.

"Cam led this team in so many ways this year," Chandler said. "However, he had a breakout year and showed everyone how to compete at the absolute highest levels. His results throughout the season and winning streak from early January through the Big Ten Championship finals undoubtedly show he was our Outstanding Wrestler of the Year."

Malcwewski was awarded the Outstanding Freshman of the Year award after a stellar freshman campaign. A native of Macomb, Michigan, Malczewski was third on the team with 25 wins. The redshirt freshman finished the dual season with an 11-7 record and added five wins by fall. Malczewski garnered third-place finishes at both the Navy Classic and Cougar Clash and went 3-2 at the Big Ten Championships on his way to a seventh-place finish while claiming an automatic spot to the NCAA Championships. Malczewski was ranked as high as No. 22 by FloWrestling throughout the season.

"Layne had high expectation for himself going into this season," Chandler said. "He became a consistent go-to guy within our program in competition that we could always rely on him giving his best effort. He had an incredible freshman year and we are very proud of what he has become and very much looking forward to watching him achieve his goals in the upcoming years."

Nick Cooper- Scholastic Award

Redshirt sophomore Nick Cooper, a native of Albion, Michigan, was awarded the Grady Peninger Scholastic Achievement Award. A criminal justice major, Cooper maintained a 3.88 cumulative GPA (spring '19, fall '19). Cooper amassed 13 wins in competing in open tournaments in 2019-20, and finished second at the Alma Open and fifth at the Findlay Open. Cooper was second on the team with seven wins by fall.

Redshirt junior Matt Santos collected the Commitment Award. A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Santos showed that his hard work in the wrestling room would translate to the mat, with expectations of excelling both on the mat and in the classroom at the highest possible level. Santos was committed day in and day out and went into each day looking to improve. Santos competed in 16 duals this season and finished with 15 overall wins.

"Matt was the guy who was always doing the extra," Chandler said. "He is the type of kid that you want in all your student-athletes. A tireless worker who always brings his best to every single practice and workout."

Perseverance Award - Logan Griffin/Jake Tucker

Perseverance Award - Logan Griffin/Jake Tucker

Two Spartan wrestlers were the recipient of the Perseverance Award, given to wrestlers who have bounced back from setbacks in their wrestling careers to go on and have great success. Griffin and Tucker received the award for overcoming obstacles during their time at Michigan State. Griffin overcame two surgeries, shoulder and Tommy John, on his way to a senior season in which he qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career. Griffin completed his senior season with 20 wins while competing in 15 duals for the Green and White. Griffin finished fourth at the Cougar Clash and secured his spot at the NCAA Championships with an eighth-place outing at the Big Ten Championships.

"I call Logan our journeyman," Chandler said. "He is the only guy remaining from his incoming freshman class. He has had multiple surgeries and never got too discouraged. He stayed focused on taking advantage of his opportunity and made the most of it this season. He qualified for his first NCAA Championship and I couldn't be more proud of a guy for staying the course even when it was difficult."

Tucker, who was tied for first on the team with 27 wins, overcame a bad luck sophomore season where he suffered a knee injury before the Big Ten Championships, to finish sixth at the Big Ten Championships his junior season. Tucker ranked inside the top 20 in most major polls during the season and claimed the 157-pound title at the Navy Classic and a second-place finish at Cougar Clash.

"Jake had some bad luck last season. The day before the 2019 Big Ten Championships he suffered a knee injury and couldn't participate," Chandler said. "He was on pace to qualify for the NCAA Championships and all that got derailed with some bad luck. However, I give him a lot of credit as he took care of business in the offseason and kept his eye on the prize. He stayed focused the entire season and had many great moments along the way. Very proud of how he stepped up after his injury in March of 2019 and committed himself qualifying for the 2020 NCAA Championships. He persevered the entire season and great things happened."

The team was given the Special Moment award for their 19-17 upset victory over No. 4 Wisconsin on Feb. 9. The Spartans pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college wrestling this season, as well as one of the biggest upsets in school history, upsetting No. 4 Wisconsin, 19-17, inside Wisconsin Field House. The win was the Spartans' first over the Badgers since 2009, and the highest ranked win since MSU knocked off No. 2 Iowa on Feb. 7, 2003. The Spartans, who came into the dual with a 1-7 record in the B1G, showed fight and resilience throughout the entire dual. MSU claimed two bonus point wins and used a huge win from redshirt junior Nick May at 197 pounds to all but seal the victory. Michigan State got bonus point wins at 141 pounds from redshirt junior Matt Santos, and a fall by redshirt freshman Layne Malczewsk at 174 pounds. Redshirt sophomore Cameron Caffey continued his hot streak with his eighth-straight victory for the Green and White.

Other award winners include the Most Falls award given to Cameron Caffey (nine), Student Manager awards to Tiffani Franco and Macie Saldate, while the Special Recognition awards to strength coach Kenny Goodrich and Takedown Club President Charlie Sageman.

Coach Chandler on Goodrich...

"Kenny is the strength coach for the Spartan wrestling team and brings a tireless and passionate effort to the guys each and every day. The team truly respects him as one of their coaches and we know he is committed to being great to this program and the rest of our student-athletes."

Coach Chandler on Sageman...

"Charlie who is an alumnus of our program took over as President of our Takedown Club (Booster Club) a couple years ago and I couldn't be more happy with the effort he has given to our program. There has been a lot of energy and excitement inserted into our program and Charlie has played a crucial role into gathering and engaging our alumni and fan base."

Major Awards

Grady Peninger Scholastic Achievement Award - Nick Cooper

Collins-Mikles Leadership Award - Cameron Caffey

Tom Muir Most Improved Award - Alex Hrisopoulos

Outstanding Wrestler of Year - Cameron Caffey

Other Awards

Most Falls Award - Cameron Caffey (9 on the season)

Outstanding Freshman of the Year - Layne Malczewski

Commitment Award - Matt Santos

Perseverance Award - Logan Griffin and Jake Tucker

Student Manager Awards - Tiffani Franco (5th Year) & Macie Saldate (4th Year)

2020 NCAA Qualifier Awards - Logan Griffin, Alex Hrisopoulos, Jake Tucker, Drew Hughes, Layne Malczewski, Cameron Caffey

Special Recognition Awards - Charlie Sageman (Takedown Club President) & Kenny Goodrich (Strength Coach)

Special Moment Award - Team Victory over #4, Wisconsin 19-17 (10 starters who competed in the dual meet) - Griffin, Pepple, Santos, Hrisopoulos, Tucker, Hiles, L. Malczewski, Caffey, May, Rebottaro

Players Mentioned

Cameron Caffey

Nick Cooper

Logan Griffin

Alex Hrisopoulos

Drew Hughes

Layne Malczewski

Nick May

Garrett Pepple

Matt Santos

Jake Tucker

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