The Charles M. Speidel Award, given to the senior with the most career dual meet wins, went to All-American James Yonushonis (Philipsburg, Pa.). The Nittany Lion co-captain led Penn State in wins this year and went 30-6. He was the 2007 Big Ten Runner-Up and a 2006 All-American (placing seventh at 174). Yonushonis leaves Penn State with an 83-50 career record, including a 44-24 career dual match mark. He was also a 2007 Academic All-Big Ten selection.
The Bill Koll Award, given to the outstanding freshman wrestler, went to red-shirt freshman Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.). Vallimont went 22-12 in his first season as a starter at 149, including a 12-7 dual match record (5-3 in Big Ten duals). Vallimont was the No. 12 seed at the NCAA Championships in Detroit and wrestled to his seed by advancing to the ‘round of 12' (finishing just one win shy of All-America status).
The Larry Reilly Courage Award, given for showing courage in wrestling to help the team, went to sophomore All-American Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.). Strayer posted a 27-8 record this year, including a 16-3 dual match mark (6-02 in Big Ten action). He entered the 2007 NCAA Championships unseeded but moved through the field to place seventh at 133 and earn his first All-American trophy. Strayer is 53-14 in two years as a starter for Penn State. He was also a 2007 Academic All-Big Ten selection.
The Academic Excellence and Community Service Award went to senior Brian Cantalupi (Carlisle, Pa.). Cantalupi went 6-8 this season and started two Big Ten duals for the Nittany Lions. He leaves Penn State with a 39-30 career record, including a 9-3 record in pins. Cantalupi once again served as a major contributor to THON, the nation's largest student-run philanthropic organization. He has been president of Penn State's Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) and in 2005 represented Penn State at the NCAA Regional Leadership Conference. He was a 2007 Academic All-Big Ten selection.
The Eleventh Man Award, given for leadership and dedication to the team, went to junior Tim Haas (Camp Hill, Pa.). Haas, who began the year as Strayer's back-up at 133, started the year 5-0 by winning the ESU Open in November. But an injury ended his season and he has since undergone successful surgery and looks to be back for his senior year in 2007-08. Haas has a 22-8 career record, including a 6-5 dual match record.
The Joe Scalzo Award, given to the best freestyle wrestler, went to sophomore Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.). Bomberger went 8-14 at 184 this season and picked up two dual match wins for the Nittany Lions. He also started for Penn State in four Big Ten duals and participated in the 2007 Big Ten Championships. Bomberger has a 16-20 career record.
The Kaye Vinson Award, given to the most improved wrestler; and the William Neidig Award, given to the outstanding wrestler of the year; both went to senior heavyweight Aaron Anspach (Columbia, Pa.). Anspach, who is petitioning for a sixth year of eligibility, ended his first full season as a starter as the 2007 NCAA National Runner-Up. The Nittany Lion co-captain went posted a 22-4 record this season, including a 16-2 dual match record and a 7-1 Big Ten mark. Anspach, the 2007 Big Ten Runner-Up, entered the 2007 NCAA Championships as the No. 2 seed and swiftly advanced to the national title bout. While losing to two-time champion Cole Konrad of Minnesota, Anspach still went 4-1 at nationals and became an All-American for the first time.
In addition to the wrestler awards, senior manager Jenn Hendrickon (Mercersburg, Pa.) received the Carl A. Winterburn Award, given to the manager who demonstrates year-round support for the Penn State wrestling program. Hendrickson is a dual major at Penn State, earning degrees in both International Politics and Latin. This was her third year as a manager with the Nittany Lions and she served as Wrestling Affiliate Club Co-President for two years.
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