Wrestling Celebrates 2012 Season

April 27, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma wrestling squad celebrated the 2011-12 season Friday 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. Radio celebrity and KREF personality James Hale served as the banquet host. Additionally, several Sooners went home with awards handed out by OU Head Coach Mark Cody and assistants Michael Lightner, Jared Frayer and Tyrone Lewis.

Kendric Maple was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler after earning All-America honors for the first time of his career after placing fourth at the 2012 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds.

Also Among the honored were Oklahoma's three seniors – Jordan Keller, Erich Schmidtke and Marcus Armato - who combined to win 136 matches at OU.

Maple was also recognized for his seven pins last season, a team-high. The standout from Wichita, Kan., was also given the Wayne Wells Award for academic and athletics excellence.

OU's newest All-Americans, Nick Lester and Maple, were also recognized, along with the 2012 letterwinners.

Additionally, Lester was honored as the Most Improved Wrestler after the 149 pounder finished eighth at the 2012 NCAA Championships.

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

The 11th-man award was given to Just DeAngelis and Scott Chene who showed strong support of their fellow teammates and volunteering efforts throughout the year.

Cody Brewer was named Redshirt of the Year after a stellar tournament campaign that was capped off with a second place finish at the 2012 FILA Junior Nationals Freestyle Championships.

The Sooners recorded a 13-5 overall record and capped off the season with a 13th-place finish at NCAAs in Mark Cody's first season as head coach.

Sooner Award Winners

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Kendric Maple
Jimmy White Award: Bubby Graham
Most Improved Wrestler: Nick Lester
11th-Man Award: Justin DeAngelis and Scott Chene
Redshirt of the Year: Cody Brewer
Most Falls: Kendric Maple
Wayne Wells Award: Kendric Maple

Sooner Letterwinners

First Year Letterwinners: Justin DeAngelis, Marcus Armato, Kyle Detmer, Bubby Graham, Nolan McBryde and Kyle Colling
Second Year Letterwinners: Jordan Keller, Matt Lester, Nick Lester
Third Year Letterwinners: Jarrod Patterson, Kendric Maple, Erich Schmidtke and Keldrick Hall

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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