PHOENIX – The Pac-12 champion Arizona State wrestling team celebrated the success of the 2016-17 season while honoring those who supported the team along the way in a banquet Thursday night at Phoenix Country Club.
Several awards were handed out by coaches and staff while others were honored for athletic and academic success throughout the season.
The Sun Devils' Pac-12 First Team All-Academic awardees – Ted Rico, Tanner Hall, and Tyler Sage – were honored by Academic Coach Denzel Burrell for their combined athletic and academic contribution while Andy Gandara received an award for a 4.0 GPA.
Associate Head Coach of Sports Performance Rich Wenner presented the Sun Devil Strong Award to Austyn Harris for his tenacity and grit as a wrestler and teammate.
Anthony Valencia was named Newcomer of the Year while his brother, Zahid Valencia, earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award.
In a surprise presentation, head coach Zeke Jones was also presented a plaque by the team and staff for his Pac-12 Coach of the Year honor.
Pennsylvania natives and former high school teammates Josh Maruca and Josh Shields were named Most Improved for the season.
The Pac-12 champion team as well as the Sun Devils' All-Americans were also honored throughout the night.
The 2017 senior class – Kaylon Sencio, Michael Nguyen, Michael Oramas, and Ryan Nantuna – shared reflections of their time at ASU with those in attendance.
Following the seniors' speeches, 1965 NCAA Finalist Glenn McMinn Sr. shared a few wise words to close the night including the following - "It's not what you put into your sport, it's what you become because of it."
Award Winners:
Several awards were handed out by coaches and staff while others were honored for athletic and academic success throughout the season.
The Sun Devils' Pac-12 First Team All-Academic awardees – Ted Rico, Tanner Hall, and Tyler Sage – were honored by Academic Coach Denzel Burrell for their combined athletic and academic contribution while Andy Gandara received an award for a 4.0 GPA.
Honoring our @pac12 All-Academic honorees! #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/tCLsvqbL99
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
Associate Head Coach of Sports Performance Rich Wenner presented the Sun Devil Strong Award to Austyn Harris for his tenacity and grit as a wrestler and teammate.
Austyn Harris earns the Sun Devil Strong award #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/XRkJUGuAXU
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
Anthony Valencia was named Newcomer of the Year while his brother, Zahid Valencia, earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award.
.@AnthonadorGold is our Newcomer of the Year #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/mxIbyLBltF
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
Our Outstanding Wrestler Award...none other than @Z_MONEY97 #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/8S08bpHIEK
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
In a surprise presentation, head coach Zeke Jones was also presented a plaque by the team and staff for his Pac-12 Coach of the Year honor.
Pennsylvania natives and former high school teammates Josh Maruca and Josh Shields were named Most Improved for the season.
Coach @LeePritts announces our Most Improved, going to our PA boys @JMaruca10 @J_paps3 #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/5XWBn54uSU
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
The Pac-12 champion team as well as the Sun Devils' All-Americans were also honored throughout the night.
Now we honor our @pac12 competitors and champions! #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/YpqSci4zuo
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
The 2017 senior class – Kaylon Sencio, Michael Nguyen, Michael Oramas, and Ryan Nantuna – shared reflections of their time at ASU with those in attendance.
#ThankYouSeniors #ElevateAll pic.twitter.com/hryWJx08eC
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
Following the seniors' speeches, 1965 NCAA Finalist Glenn McMinn Sr. shared a few wise words to close the night including the following - "It's not what you put into your sport, it's what you become because of it."
"It's not what you put into your sport, it's what you become because of it" -Glenn McMinn Sr. pic.twitter.com/JC4MZSmu5n
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) April 14, 2017
Award Winners:
- Pac-12 All-Academic First Team: Ted Rico, Tanner Hall, Tyler Sage
- Academic Award (4.0): Andy Gandara
- Sun Devil Strong Award: Austyn Harris
- Newcomer of the Year: Anthony Valencia
- Most Improved: Josh Maruca, Josh Shields
- Outstanding Wrestler Award: Zahid Valencia