2001-02 WIAC Wrestling Headlines

2001-02 WIAC Wrestling Headlines

La Crosse's Cudd Named Academic All-America

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 12, 2002

La Crosse, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior wrestler Brady Cudd of River Falls, Wis. has been named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America College Division At-Large First Team.

Cudd is one of 15 student-athletes named to the first team in voting by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The at-large squad includes all male athletes from Division II, Division III and NAIA institutions from the sports of ice hockey, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.

A chemistry major and mathematics minor, Cudd maintained a 3.93 grade point average. He earned a $5,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and has been accepted to the University of Minnesota Graduate School and is enrolled in the Medicinal Chemistry Program in the School of Pharmacy.

A two-time NCAA Division III All-American, Cudd was awarded a National Institutes of Health grant, which waves tuition costs at the University of Minnesota. The NIH is a member of the Department of Health & Human Services. Cudd also earned the Roberta A. and William W. Allen Chemistry Graduate Study Incentive Scholarship at UW-La Crosse.

Cudd finished second at 141-pounds at this year's NCAA Division III Championship for his second career All-American recognition. He placed fifth in 2001. A transfer from the University of Wisconsin, Cudd wrapped up his two-year La Crosse career with a 57-9 record, including 32-4 this year.

He is also a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American.

The Verizon Academic All-America Teams are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member CoSIDA. To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 on a scale of 4.00. Sports information directors nominate eligible athletes from their schools who are named to district teams prior to being voted upon the national level.

# # # # #

La Crosse's Cudd Earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

RELEASED: Monday, May 20, 2002

La Crosse, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior wrestler Brady Cudd of River Falls, Wis. has earned a $5,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He is one of 58 winter athletes from across the country to receive the honor.

A chemistry major and mathematics minor, Cudd maintains a 3.93 grade point average. He has been accepted to the University of Minnesota Graduate School and is enrolled in the Medicinal Chemistry Program in the School of Pharmacy.

"This is such a great honor for me," said Cudd. "I've really enjoyed being at UW-L the past two years and I wish I had been here for five years. The wrestling team is a real family. We're working for the same cause and we have so much support amongst the team."

"I think wrestling has helped me academically," added Cudd. "It requires structure to succeed and I think it made it easier to do well in school."

"The university and the team are very proud of Brady, " said UW-L head coach Tim Fader. "The postgraduate scholarship is a very prestigious award. This is an illustration of what we want to accomplish at UW-L. Brady came in and excelled both on and off the mat."

A transfer from the University of Wisconsin, Cudd wrapped up his two-year UW-L career with a 57-9 record, including 32-4 this year. He is also two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American.

Cudd was awarded a National Institutes of Health grant, which waves tuition costs at the University of Minnesota. The NIH is a member of the Department of Health & Human Services. Cudd also earned the Roberta A. and William W. Allen Chemistry Graduate Study Incentive Scholarship at UW-L.

The NCAA awarded 58 postgraduate scholarships of $5,000 each to 29 men and 29 women who participated in winter sports, which included men's and women's basketball, fencing, men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's ice hockey, rifle, skiing, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's indoor track and field and wrestling.

Cudd was one of 10 Division III male athletes to earn the winter postgraduate scholarship.

In addition to the winter sport honorees, the NCAA also awards 116 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes participating in fall and spring sports in which the NCAA conducts championships, for a total of 174 postgraduate scholarships annually.

To qualify for a NCAA postgraduate scholarship, a student-athlete must have an overall grade-point average of 3.200 (on a 4.000 scale) or its equivalent and must have performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated. The student-athlete must have behaved, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete also must intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time or part-time graduate student.

# # # # #

Three Earn Verizon Academic All-District Men's At-Large Honors

RELEASED: Monday, May 20, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-District V Men's At-Large Team. UW-La Crosse's Brady Cudd earned first team honors, while UW-Eau Claire's Matt Oglesby and UW-La Crosse's Josh Habeck were second team selections.

Cudd, a senior from River Falls, Wis., is majoring in chemistry with a minor in mathematics and carries a 3.93 grade point average. He has been accepted to the University of Minnesota Graduate School and is enrolled in the Medicinal Chemistry Program in the School of Pharmacy.

Cudd finished second at 141-pounds at this year's national championship for his second career All-America accolade. He placed fifth in 2001. A transfer from the University of Wisconsin, Cudd wrapped up his two-year La Crosse career with a 57-9 record, including 32-4 this year. He is also two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American.

Habeck, a senior wrestler from Schofield, Wis., is a double major in accounting and finance, maintaining a 3.52 grade point average. He was a Verizon Academic All-District First Team selection last year and received the WIAC's Max Sparger Wrestling Scholar-Athlete Award earlier this year.

Habeck earned All-America honors this year with a third-place finish at 133-pounds. It was his second career All-America honor after also placing third in 2001. He is La Crosse's career wins leader with a 125-29 mark, including 37-5 this year. He is a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American selection (1999, 2001, 2002).

Oglesby, a senior swimmer from Lake Geneva, Wis. (Big Foot H.S.), is majoring in biology with a 3.27 grade point average. Earlier this year, he earned the WIAC's Max Sparger Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete Award.

Oglesby was a 19-time All-American for the Blugolds and capped off a spectacular career by becoming the 100 backstroke national champion. His time of 49.00 seconds set a school record and fell just short of the NCAA Division III national record of 48.61. With 26 career top-three finishes at the WIAC Championships, Oglesby won a combined 16 league titles competing individually and in relay competition.

A total of 11 student-athletes were named to the first team, while 10 earned second team honors. Individuals earning first team recognition will advance to the national ballot. The at-large squad includes individuals from the sports of ice hockey, swimming, tennis and wrestling.

# # # # #

Habeck and Cudd Selected To Compete In Don Gable Classic

RELEASED: Friday, March 15, 2002

La Crosse, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse seniors Josh Habeck of Schofield (D.C. Everest) and Brady Cudd of River Falls (H.S.) have been selected to participate in the 2002 Dan Gable Wrestling Classic March 29 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Both wrestlers earned NCAA Division III All-America honors this year.

Cudd placed second at 141-pounds, falling 12-8 to Upper Iowa's Jesus Wilson. Cudd went 3-1 at the championships and wrapped up his UW-L career with a 57-9 record. It was his second career All-America honor after finishing fifth last season. He finished 32-4 this year.

After losing his first match of the tournament, Habeck came back to win five straight matches to earn third-place at 133-pounds for his second career All-American honor. He finished his career as UW-L's career wins leader with a 125-29 mark, including a 37-5 record this year.

Habeck finished third at the national championships for the second consecutive season. He went 13-6 in four career national championship appearances. Habeck pinned Mike Waldron of Lycoming at 4:40 for third-place. UW-L finished fourth as a team at the 2002 championships.

Cudd and Habeck are the first UW-L wrestlers to ever compete in the Gable Classic.

Cudd faces Chad Erickson of the University of Minnesota while Habeck takes on Jacob Ramos of Augustana College (S.D.) at this year's Gable Classic.

This year's classic, “Spirit of the Heartland” – A Wrestling Tribute to America's Heroes, features the best collegiate wrestlers in the nation. Eleven NCAA Division I wrestlers are expected to compete in the fifth annual classic.

Colleges represented in the “Spirit of the Heartland” meet besides UW-La Crosse are Minnesota, Illinois, Northern Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri, Upper Iowa, North Dakota State, Buena Vista, Augustana (S.D.) and Nebraska-Omaha.

Coaches include J Robinson (Minnesota), Barry Davis (Wisconsin), Mark Johnson (Illinois), Tom Brands (Iowa), Brad Penrith (Northern Iowa), Mark Manning (Nebraska), Chris Bono (Iowa State) and Brian Smith (Missouri).

Cael Sanderson (197-pounds) of Iowa State will be one of the wrestlers competing in the classic. Sanderson will be going for his fourth straight NCAA title in Albany, N.Y., at the NCAA Division I Championships March 21-23. He is currently 152-0 in his career, and has won three straight Outstanding Wrestler awards at the championships. In addition, he has won the Dan Hodge Trophy, wrestling's answer to the Heisman Trophy, the past two years and is the heavy favorite to win a third Hodge Trophy at season's end.

Earlier this year, Sanderson broke the all-time collegiate winning streak of 117 straight set in 1967-70 by Dan Gable, also of Iowa State.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. March 29 and the International Wrestling Institute and Museum will host a large memorabilia and trade show on the main floor. All wrestlers, including Dan Gable and the coaches, will be available for autographs from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The event starts with ceremonies at 7 p.m., with wrestling scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (319) 363-1888, or at the door, subject to availability. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $12 for reserved seating. For more information, call the International Wrestling Institute and Museum at (641) 791-1517.

2002 Dan Gable Classic Line-up
125--LeRoy Vega (Minnesota) vs. Jamie Taxted (Buena Vista)
133--Josh Habeck (UW-La Crosse) vs. Jacob Ramos (Augustana, S.D.)
141--Chad Erickson (Minnesota) vs. Brady Cudd (UW-La Crosse)
149--Billy Maldonado (Iowa State) vs. Cody Ritter (Nebraska-Omaha)
157--Griff Powell (Illinois) vs. Bryan Snyder (Nebraska)
165--Jorge Borgen (Upper Iowa) vs. Joe Heskett (Iowa State)
174--Todd Fuller (North Dakota State) vs. John Kopnisky (Missouri)
184--Chris Rufo (North Dakota State) vs. Kyle Hansen (Northern Iowa)
197--Cliff Thompson (Upper Iowa) vs. Cael Sanderson (Iowa State)
Hwt.--John Lockhart (Illinois) vs. Mark Knauer (Iowa State)

# # # # #

Six Earn Wrestling Academic All-American Honors

RELEASED: Monday, March 18, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2001-02 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American Team.

UW-La Crosse had five athletes named to the team, while UW-Platteville's Roy Forsyth also earned recognition. La Crosse's five selections included: Brady Cudd, Troy Fabry, Josh Habeck, Christopher Passe and Matt Zwaschka.

Cudd, a senior from River Falls, Wis., is majoring in chemistry with a 3.93 grade point average. He placed second in the NCAA Division III Championship at 141-pounds this season and finished his career with a 57-9 record. Cudd is a two-time All-American.

Habeck, a senior from Schofield, Wis. (D.C. Everest HS), is an accounting and finance major with a 3.52 grade point average. He was also named the 2001-02 WIAC Max Sparger Wrestling Scholar-Athlete earlier this season. Habeck earned third-place at 133-pounds for his second career All-American honor. He finished his career as La Crosse's career wins leader with a 125-29 mark, including a 37-5 record this year.

Fabry, a sophomore from Ashwaubenon, Wis., carries a 3.17 grade point average in his physical education major. He posted 24-12 this season, including the 149-pound title at the WIAC Championship. He is 46-18 in his two-year career with the Eagles.

Zwaschka, at junior from Marshfield, Wis., is majoring in physical education with a 3.24 grade point average. He posted a 10-8 record at 157-pounds this season, while Passe, a junior from Kellogg, Minn. (Wabasha-Kellogg HS), compiled an 11-5 ledger at 133-pounds during the 2001-02 campaign. Passe has a 3.53 grade point average with a major in fitness/pre-physical therapy.

Forsyth, a junior from Arcadia, Wis., is majoring in civil engineering. He finished the 2001-02 season with a 25-9 record at 184-pounds and has a 59-33 career record.

Individuals selected to the squad must have a 3.20 grade point average or above (on a 4.00 scale), finish at least fourth in the conference qualifier or at least sixth in the regional qualifier, finish with a winning percentage of at least 67% and compete in at least two-thirds of the team's matches. Winners must also have high moral character.

# # # # #

La Crosse Finishes Fourth At NCAA Wrestling Championship;
Two Win Individual Titles

NCAA Wrestling Wilkes-Barre, Pa.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Championships in First Union Center. The Eagles scored 68.0 points. Augsburg claimed its third straight national championship with 87.0 points, while Upper Iowa University and Wartburg College tied for second with 81.0 points. UW-Stevens Point finished 12th with 26.0 points and UW-Eau Claire finished 38th with 5.5 points.

La Crosse's Jason Ott claimed the national heavyweight title with a 9-5 decision over Eric Urdzik of John Carroll. Ott becomes the fifth wrestler in school history to capture a national title joining James Meyer (177-pounds in 1995); Brandon Penzkover (167 in 1996); Jeff O'Gara (118 in 1996) and Jeremy Miller (184 in 2000). Ott's placed third last year at the national championship and seventh in 1999.

Stevens Point's Yan White captured the national crown at 197-pounds with a pin at the 4:51 mark over Upper Iowa's Cliff Thompson. White becomes the third Pointer in school history to win a national wrestling title. He joins Bob Berceau (134 in 1989) and Perry Miller (Hwt. in 1997 and 1998).

Brady Cudd, Josh Habeck and Ben Bly also earned All-America honors for La Crosse.

Cudd placed second at 141-pounds, falling 12-8 to Upper Iowa's Jesus Wilson. Cudd went 3-1 at the championships to garner his second career All-America honor after finishing fifth last season.

After losing his first match of the tournament, Habeck came back to win five-straight matches to earn third-place at 133-pounds for his second career All-American honor. He pinned Mike Waldron of Lycoming at 4:40 for third-place. Habeck also finished third last season.

Bly earned his first career All-America honor with his fifth-place finish at 174-pounds. He defeated Josh Housekeeper of Delaware Valley 13-2 for fifth.

Eau Claire's Davey Starks defeated Mitch Marcks of King's College 9-3 to finish seventh and claim All-America honors.

Also representing the WIAC at the national championships were Eau Claire's Adam Kolo, La Crosse's Troy Fabry and Nick Patenaude, Stevens Point's Cody Koenig and Mark Burger and Whitewater's Jeff Zastrow.

# # # # #

La Crosse Captures 2002 Wrestling Championship

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse captured its fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship Sunday at Karges Center in River Falls, Wis.

The Eagles claimed six individual champions and posted a team total of 147 points to win the league crown. Platteville finished second with 117 team points and Stevens Point third with 110 points.

Josh Habeck, Brady Cudd, Troy Fabry, Nick Patenaude, Ben Bly and Jason Ott all captured titles for the Eagles.

Habeck won the 133-pound crown, pinning Whitewater's Mike Jankowski in 6:23. Cudd successfully defended his title at 141 pounds, defeating Platteville's Shane Gulden by technical fall at 6:43. Fabry won the 149-pound title, defeating Platteville's Chris Vogel 3-2. Patenaude defeated Stevens Point's Cody Koenig, 5-4, to claim the 165-pound title. Bly defeated Whitewater's Jeff Zastrow 13-7 at 174 pounds, while Ott won the 285-pound title for the third consecutive season, pinning Stevens Point's Mark Burger in 1:01.

Eau Claire's Davey Starks became a three-time champion at 125 pounds, defeating La Crosse's Nick Mueller 6-0.

Platteville's Troy Austin defeated Oshkosh's Nick Jasurda, 8-3, to win the 184-pound title.

At 197 pounds, Stevens Point's Yan White defeated Eau Claire's Adam Kolo 9-1.

Platteville's Mark Meyers won the 157-pound crown, defeating La Crosse's Matt Zwaschka 9-3.

Stevens Point's Yan White was named the John Peterson Wrestler of the Meet, while La Crosse's Tim Fader was named the 2001-02 WIAC Mertz Mortorelli Coach of the Year.

The individual champions will advance to the NCAA Division III Championship to be held Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, 2002 in Wilkes Barre, Pa. Platteville's Chris Vogel and Eau Claire's Adam Kolo will also participate in the national spotlight as wild-card selections at 149 pounds and 197 pounds, respectively.

Stevens Point's Cody Koenig at 165 pounds is the first alternate, while Whitewater's Jeff Zastrow at 174 pounds is the second alternate for the national meet.

# # # # #

La Crosse's Habeck Named Wrestling Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Tuesday, February 19, 2002

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Josh Habeck has been named the 2001-02 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Wrestling Scholar-Athlete, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Habeck, a senior from Schofield, Wis. (D.C. Everest HS), has a double major in accounting and finance and carries a 3.52 grade point average. He is a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Academic All-American and a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. He has also been named to the Dean's List at UW-La Crosse six semesters.

Habeck, a team captain this season, helped the Eagles to their fifth consecutive WIAC title last weekend at the conference championship in River Falls. He won the 133-pound title, pinning Whitewater's Mike Jankowski in 6:23. The conference title marks the second of his career. He won the 126-pound crown in 1998. Habeck advances to the NCAA Division III Championship in Wilkes Barre, Pa. on March 1-2. He earned All-American honors last season after placing third at the national meet.

Habeck holds the school record for most career wins with 120. Last year, he established a school record for most wins in a season with 40.

Habeck is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the UW-La Crosse Adventure Program. He is the fourth Eagle in school history to win the wrestling scholar-athlete award. Habeck joins Dave Mitchell (1992-93), Dan Dohse (1993-94) and Andrew Melton (1999-2000).

Eau Claire's Luke Jankee, along with La Crosse's Brady Cudd and Mike Matiash were also nominated for the scholar-athlete award.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

# # # # #

Back to the WIAC home page