April 17, 2005
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa wrestlers Mark Perry and Joe Johnston have earned the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler Award for the 2004-05 season. They received the award at the team’s annual awards banquet Sunday in Iowa City.
Perry, the 2005 Big Ten and NCAA runner-up at 165 pounds, posted a 27-5 record, a dual mark of 12-2 and a Big Ten dual record of 7-1. The Stillwater, OK native led the team in dual team points scored (51), major decisions (8), pins (6) and quickest pin time (0:46). Perry won a title at the Midlands Championships and was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week February 9. He also won the team’s most pins award, and shared the all-America Award with Johnston, junior Paul Bradley and junior Ty Eustice.
Johnston, the 2005 NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds, compiled a 26-8 record, going 11-4 in duals and 5-3 in Big Ten duals. The Prairie Village, KS, native placed third at the Big Ten Championships. He also earned the John and Dorothy Sill Award, which goes to the team’s most dedicated wrestler, and shared the all-America Award.
Bradley earned the Mike McGivern Award, given to the team’s most courageous wrestler, and shared the all-America Award. The Tama, IA, native posted a 24-9 mark and a 10-5 dual record at 184 pounds. He placed fifth at the NCAA Championships, earning his second all-America honor. Bradley also won a Midlands title and placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships.
Eustice, an all-America Award winner, went 29-7, 12-3 in dual matches and 6-2 in Big Ten duals at 149 pounds. The Blue Earth, MN, native earned his first all-America honor with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. He also won a Midlands title and placed third at the Big Ten Championships.
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All-American and redshirt freshman Mark Perry placed second at 165 pounds at the 2005 NCAA Championships. |
Junior Adam Fellers earned the Most Improved Wrestler Award, while senior Ned Shuck earned the J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award, given annually to the graduating senior with the highest grade-point average. Fellers posted a 4-14 season record after moving up to the 197-pound weight class from 174 after the start of the season. The Fort Dodge, IA, native placed eighth at the Big Ten Championships. Shuck, from Mapleton, MN, is a four-year letterwinner and a three-time academic all-Big Ten selection. He is an elementary education major with a 3.63 grade-point average.
Sharing the Coaches Appreciation Award were newcomers Charlie Falck, Alex Tsirtsis, Matt Fields, Luke Lofthouse and Mario Galanakis. Falck, a freshman from Strawberry Point, IA, went 14-11 overall and 7-5 in duals at 125 pounds. Tsirtsis, a freshman from Griffith, IN, posted a 22-12 record and a 9-6 dual mark at 141 pounds. Fields, a freshman from Lowden, IA, went 24-12 overall and 10-5 in duals at heavyweight. Lofthouse, a freshman from Avon, UT, was 8-17 overall and 2-11 in duals at 174 pounds. Galanakis, a junior from Greenfield, IA, went 17-9 overall, 12-3 in duals and 6-2 in Big Ten duals at 133 pounds. Galanakis, Fields and Tsirtsis each placed fifth at the Big Ten Championships and competed at the NCAA meet.
2004-05 University of Iowa Wrestling Team Awards
Mike McGivern Award (Most Courageous): Paul Bradley
Mike Howard Award (Most Valuable): Mark Perry, Joe Johnston
J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award (Highest GPA for graduating senior): Ned Shuck
John & Dorothy Sill Award (Most Dedicated): Joe Johnston
All-America Award: Mark Perry, Joe Johnston, Ty Eustice, Paul Bradley
Most Pins Award: Mark Perry (6)
Most Improved Award: Adam Fellers
Coaches Appreciation Award: Charlie Falck, Alex Tsirtsis, Matt Fields, Luke Lofthouse, Mario Galanakis