MINNEAPOLIS — The Augsburg College wrestling team held its annual posteason recognition banquet on Saturday evening at the Christensen Center. Approximately 90 people, including current student-athletes, parents, and various supporters of the program attended the banquet, according to Augsburg head coach Mark Matzek. The banquet, which was organized through the Augsburg College Event Services staff, consisted of a catered meal courtesy of Aviands Dining Service, an awards presenation by the Augsburg coaching staff, and a screening of the 2012-13 highlight video produced by Augsburg assistant coach Tony Valek.
2012-13 Wrestling Highlight Video:
At the season-ending banquet, Augsburg also honored its senior class, which finished with a team national title in 2010, national runner-up honors in 2011 and 2012, and a 36-14-1 dual-meet record. Seniors honored were Josh Kohler (SR, Monticello, Minn.) and Tossaporn “Boyd” Suparat (SR, North Branch, Minn.)
Named as captains for the 2012-13 season were Chad Johnson (JR, Ferryville, Wis./DeSoto HS), Will Keeter (JR, Twin Falls, Idaho), Tommy Teigen (JR, Ham Lake, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian HS), Justin Bowland (JR, Foley, Minn.) and Matt Hechsel (SO, Apple Valley, Minn.).
Team Award Winners:
Most Valuable Wrestler: Chad Johnson
Most Outstanding First-Year: Roarke Langer
Most Improved Upperclassmen: Matt Hechsel
Auggie Award: Chad Johnson, Kurt Knutsen, Matt Hechsel and Justin Bowland
NCAA National Championship Qualifiers:
125: Mike Fuenffinger (7th place, All-American)
133: Tossaporn “Boyd” Suparat
141: Tom Kuehn
157: Kurt Knutsen
165: Justin Bowland
174: Josh Kohler
197: Matt Hechsel (7th place, All-American)
285: Chad Johnson (National Champion, All-American)
Description of Team Awards
*Most Outstanding Freshmen Award: This wrestler has been voted by his peers as having the biggest impact on the mat during his first year of college wrestling.
*Most Improved Upperclassmen: This wrestler is voted by his peers as demonstrating persistence, hard work, and strong will to improve this season.
*Most Valuable Wrestler: This wrestler is voted as having the biggest impact for our team this season, on and off the mat.
*Auggie Award: These wrestlers are voted by their peers as representing the core values of Augsburg Wrestling: Unselfish, team-first attitude, who respects the sport and work hard with a positive attitude every day.