April 18, 2004
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa senior wrestler Cliff Moore has earned the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler Award for the 2003-04 season. He received the award at the team’s annual awards banquet Sunday in Iowa City.
Moore, the 2004 Big Ten and NCAA champion at 141 pounds, posted an overall season record of 33-2, a dual meet record of 14-1 and went undefeated in Big Ten dual action at 8-0. The Dubuque, IA, native, led the team in dual team points scored (56) and pins (6). He shared the team’s most pins award with sophomore Paul Bradley. Moore was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week December 17. He is a two-time Big Ten champion and three-time all-American for the Hawkeyes.
Senior Tyler Nixt raked in three awards. He earned the John and Dorothy Sill Award, which goes to the most dedicated wrestler, and the team’s J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award, which is given annually to a graduating senior with the highest grade-point average. He also shared the All-American award with Bradley and senior Ryan Fulsaas. Nixt went 36-3 overall, 14-1 in dual competition and 8-0 in Big Ten duals at 174 pounds for the Hawkeyes. The Greene, IA, native led the team in dual team points scored (56) and major decisions (12), and was named Big Ten wrestler of the week December 3. He placed second at the 2004 Big Ten meet and earned his first all-America honor by placing third. He has a 3.85 GPA in accounting.
Fulsaas also earned the Mike McGivern Award, given to the team’s most courageous wrestler, and shared the Most Improved Wrestler Award with Bradley. Fulsaas posted a 24-9 record this past year at 197 pounds, earning his first all-America honor with a second-place finish in his first NCAA appearance. The Ridgeway, IA, native also placed second at the Big Ten Championships. He also went 11-4 in dual meets and 6-2 in Big Ten duals. Bradley went 26-11 this year, 9-6 in dual competition and 5-3 in Big Ten duals at 184 pounds. The Tama, IA, native placed second at the Big Ten Championships and earned his first all-America honor with a fourth-place NCAA finish.
Senior Luke Eustice earned the Coaches Appreciation Award. The Blue Earth, MN, native posted a season record of 26-4, going 13-0 in dual matches and 8-0 in Big Ten duals. He placed second at the Big Ten Championships at 125 pounds. He was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week February 5.
2003-04 University of Iowa Wrestling Team Awards
Mike McGivern Award (Most Courageous): Ryan Fulsaas
Mike Howard Award (Most Valuable): Cliff Moore
J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award (Highest GPA for graduating senior): Tyler Nixt
John & Dorothy Sill Award (Most Dedicated): Tyler Nixt
All-American Award: Tyler Nixt, Paul Bradley, Ryan Fulsaas
Most Pins Award: Cliff Moore, Paul Bradley with six each
Most Improved Award: Paul Bradley, Ryan Fulsaas
Coaches Appreciation Award: Luke Eustice