Wrestling Celebrates 2011 Season at Banquet

April 23, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma wrestling squad celebrated the 2010-11 season Saturday evening with its annual postseason banquet at the U.S. Postal Service National Center for Employee Development in Norman.

The Oklahoma coaching staff and wrestlers were joined by friends and family in celebration of the past year with dinner and season highlights. Additionally, several Sooners went home with awards handed out by former OU Head Coach Jack Spates and assistant Ross Thatcher.

Tyler Caldwell was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler after earning All-America honors for his second straight year after placing second at the 2011 NCAA Championships at 165 pounds.

Also Among the honored were Oklahoma's four seniors – Zack Bailey, Greg Cannon, Jeff James and Nathan Fernandez - who combined to win 285 matches at OU.

Chase Nelson was recognized for his 11 pins last season, a team-high.

OU's newest All-Americans - Bailey, Tyler Caldwell and Jarrod Patterson - were also recognized, along with the 2010 letterwinners.

Additionally, Patterson was honored as the Most Improved Wrestler for the second consecutive year following a seventh place finish among 125 pounders at the 2011 NCAA Championships. Last season, the Cushing, Okla., product was crowned a Big 12 champion just three months after his redshirt was pulled in a match against Oklahoma State on Dec. 1.

The Jimmy White award, given to a select wrestler on the basis of athletic ability, team contribution, individual achievement and team spirit went to sophomore Jordan Keller.

A number of Oklahoma wrestling contributors were awarded the 11th-man award after supporting and volunteering to help the program. Award winners include: Becky Lightner, Susan Putnam, BJ South, Lindsay Lightner, Jen Thatcher, Stephanie Henson, Julie Watson, Barbie Spates, Carol Ludvigson, Ashley Weston, Camille Warren, Mystee Yannarella and Megan Stone.

Justin DeAngelis was named Most Valuable Freshman after a stellar tournament campaign that was capped off with a fifth place finish at the 2011 FILA Junior Nationals Freestyle Championships.

Five Sooners – Dillion Dennis, Greg Cannon, Kyle Colling, Dustin Reed and Ben Bridell – earned the Warrior Award, awarded to wrestlers who most exemplify the concept of teammates.

The Sooners recorded a 13-2 overall record and capped off the season with a 16th place finish at the NCAAs. Mark Cody will take over as the Oklahoma head man following Spates' final season.

Sooner Award Winners

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tyler Caldwell
Jimmy White Award: Jordan Keller
Most Improved Wrestler: Jarrod Patterson
11th-Man Award: Becky Lightner, Susan Putnam, BJ South, Lindsay Lightner, Jen Thatcher, Stephanie Henson, Julie Watson, Barbie Spates, Carol Ludvigson, Ashley Weston, Camille Warren, Mystee Yannarella and Megan Stone.
Most Valuable Freshman: Justin DeAngelis
Most Falls: Chase Nelson
Warrior Award: Dillion Dennis, Greg Cannon, Kyle Colling, Dustin Reed and Ben Bridell

Sooner Letterwinners

First Year Letterwinners: Jordan Keller, Matt Lester, Nick Lester, Chase Nelson, Dustin Reed, Greg Cannon and Ben Bridell
Second Year Letterwinners: Jarrod Patterson, Kendric Maple, Tyler Caldwell, Erich Schmidtk and Keldrick Hall, Seth Vernon
Fourth Year Letterwinners: Zack Bailey, Nathan Fernandez and Jeff James

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Wrestling Celebrates 2011 Season at Banquet

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