Season Wrap-Up and Banquet

It's been quite a ride, but the 2014-15 College Wrestling season is over.

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This past week in particular has hit highs and lows. The week began with former Coach Joe Wells' funeral service. If anyone would like to read Coach Wells' obituary, it was in the paper here. If you'd still like to leave a message for the family, you can do so at the funeral home's website.

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A few days later we heard of another former wrestling coach in a battle with life and death consequences. Ron Finley, former Beaver wrestler and former Duck Wrestling Head Coach, was featured in this article in The Oregonian, as he battles both cancer  and the powers that be to bring back wrestling at the U of O. Hang in there, Coach!

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Pac-12 Champions - 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 trophies

 At the end of the week, we had the grand finale, the Awards Banquet. A happy group of fans, wrestlers, staff, and family met at The Club in Reser Stadium for dinner (and dessert - very popular by the length of the line and the fact that I think I got the last piece of pie) and a program to present the awards. A few lucky people went home with some great door prizes and Silent Auction items, too.

The first awards presented were by "The FALL". 

Alumnus Volunteer of the Year Award went to Bob Tomasovic for his work on the Wrestling Endowment Fund board. Thank you,  Bob! 

FALL Club Member Volunteer of the Year Award went to Jennifer Gardner. Wife of Board member Reynold Gardner, Jennifer has been there all season long, and even before the season began, always helping us out. Thank you, Jennifer!

The following Awards were presented by the Coaches:

"Coaches Appreciation" - Nate Keeve

Nate Keeve - Winner of Coaches Appreciation award

"Booster of the Year" - Adam Rutherford of Reno, NV

"Highest GPA" - Aaron David, 3.77 for Winter term. 

It was also pointed out that for Fall term, Ronnie Bresser led the way with a 4.0

Joe Wells "Team Impact" - Ronnie Bresser picked up this award, which was renamed this year in honor of Coach Wells

Chad Flack "Most Improved" - Alex Elder & Seth Thomas shared this award

Len Kauffman/Larry Bielenberg "Most Pins" - Jack Hathaway with 12 falls. 

Seth Thomas was right behind Jack with 11 and Ronnie Bresser was close with 9

Bill Brickey "Most Dedicated" - Alex Elder

Senior Alex Elder

Dale Thomas "Hustle" - Joe Latham, the "Hustle" award is a combination of academic and athletic statistics

Robin Reed "Outstanding Wrestler" - Taylor Meeks

"Hardest Worker" - Joey Palmer

"Leadership" - Taylor Meeks

Since the award trophies were actually stolen from the porch in town where they were delivered, the awards were announced, rather than handed out. The Albany police have found a few of them in a park. Hopefully the rest will turn up soon. If anysone sees them, please help them find their way back to the Wrestling Office, thank you! Then they will be delivered to the wrestlers.

Senior Pat Rollins

 Once the awards were completed, it was the Seniors' turn. Alex Elder, Brian Engdahl, Joe Latham, Taylor Meeks, Kurtis Ramsay, Pat Rollins and Nick Schlager all had their turn at the microphone. Toney Chay joined them as his season was ended by a neck injury and he will most likely be graduated and gone before the next banquet. Zac Cardwell will also be graduating this June after 4 years, but declined an invitation to speak. A big thank you to all of them for their years of effort and dedication to the sport of wrestling and their studies!

After an enthusiastic look to the future by Head Coach Jim Zalesky

Head Coach Jim Zalesky

and a season recap video, the seniors took to the stage for one last quick presentation. They had some gag gifts for a few of their teammates. They had everyone leaving with a smile on their face and great memories of the year.

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As listed in the program, special thanks go to those who made donations to help cover the cost of the banquet:

NCAA Champion level donors ($100+):

Rolly & Carol Benson

Gary Elder

Dr WH & Sharon MacFarlane

Phil & Kristin Schlager
Craig Scharer

Mike & Andi Thomas

NCAA All American donors ($50+):

Chancy Ball & Mary Bliven

Len  Kauffman

Jo Overton

Bob & Pat Newton

Brenda & Erik Engdahl

Tobe & Janet Zweygardt

Pac-12 Champion donors ($25+):

Diane Elder

David Jackson

Howard Horton

Dennis Fuller

Doug & Monique Parazoo

Also thank you to the Davis Family Farm, 4380 NE Highway 20, Corvallis, OR for providing the lovely potted plants that decorated our tables and stage. And thanks to Ron Iwasaki for arranging this donation. The flowers add a festive touch to the room!

Flowers from Davis Family Farm decorated the tables

Go Beavs!

First and last photos on this post were courtesy of Craig Scharer. All those in between are courtesy of Michael Denison. Thank you, Craig & Michael!!