April 26, 2006
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa senior Ty Eustice has been named the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler for the 2005-06 season. He received the award at the team’s annual awards banquet in Iowa City.
Eustice was the 149-pound 2006 NCAA runner-up. The Blue Earth, MN, native posted a 28-3 overall record and a 16-1 dual mark. He led the Hawkeyes with 57 team points in dual matches and placed third at the Big Ten Championships. The two-time all-American ended his Hawkeye career with a 111-29 collegiate record and 55-11 dual mark. Eustice also shared the team all-American award with fellow 2006 all-Americans Joe Johnston, Eric Luedke, Mark Perry and Alex Tsirtsis.
Johnston, a senior from Prairie Village, KS, also earned the J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award, given annually to the senior with the highest grade-point average, and the John & Dorothy Sill Most Dedicated Wrestler Award. He placed sixth at the Big Ten and NCAA meets. He finished the season with a 27-11 record, going 14-4 in dual matches. The two-time all-American completed his Iowa career with a 113-45 collegiate and 45-18 dual record.
Luedke, a junior from Colby, KS, earned the team’s Most Improved Wrestler Award. After joining the varsity lineup in January, he compiled a 23-15 season record and 7-7 dual mark at 165 pounds. He also placed sixth at the Big Ten Championships and eighth at the NCAA meet.
Perry, a sophomore from Stillwater, OK, picked up the team’s most pins award with 13. He went 21-4 at 174 pounds, posting a 9-1 dual record. He placed second at the Big Ten Championships and third at the NCAA meet. Perry also collected the Gorriarian Trophy at the NCAA Championships, which is annually awarded to the wrestler who pins the most opponents in the shortest overall time. He decked four foes in a combined total 15:33. The two-time all-American has a career mark of 48-9.
Tsirtsis, a sophomore from Griffith, IN, also earned the Mike J. McGivern Most Courageous Wrestler Award. The 141-pounder posted a 22-10 season record and went 12-6 in dual meets. He placed third at the Big Ten Championships and seventh at the NCAA meet, and has a career record of 44-22.
Sharing the Coaches Appreciation Award were Tama, IA, natives Paul Bradley and Matt Walz. Bradley went 16-10 overall and 11-6 in dual matches at 184 pounds. The senior placed seventh at the Big Ten Championships. The two-time all-American finished his Hawkeye career with a 77-37 collegiate and 30-18 dual record. Walz served as team manager for the past five seasons (2002-06).
2005-06 University of Iowa Wrestling Team Awards
Mike Howard Award (Most Valuable): Ty Eustice
Mike McGivern Award (Most Courageous): Alex Tsirtsis
J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award (Highest GPA for graduating senior): Joe Johnston
John & Dorothy Sill Award (Most Dedicated): Joe Johnston
All-America Award: Ty Eustice, Joe Johnston, Eric Luedke, Mark Perry, Alex Tsirtsis
Most Pins Award: Mark Perry (13)
Most Improved Award: Eric Luedke
Coaches Appreciation Award: Paul Bradley, Matt Walz