PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wrestling closed out its historic season with its annual team banquet, held Monday at the Rutgers Club on Livingston Campus. Head coach Scott Goodale and the rest of the Scarlet Knights' coaching staff handed out team awards for the 2018-19 campaign.
 
2019 NCAA Champions Anthony Ashnault and Nick Suriano shared the Ted Petty Most Valuable Wrestler Award. In his final season, Ashnault went 32-0, secured the 2019 Big Ten title, closed his collegiate career with a national title at 149 pounds and was a 2019 Hodge Trophy finalist. Suriano finished 29-3 en route to both a Big Ten title and national championship at 133 pounds. At nationals, Suriano defeated No. 1 seed Daton Fix (Oklahoma State) in the 133-pound final, using a takedown in overtime to seal the victory.
 
Suriano also collected "Match of the Year" honors for his overtime victory against Fix at the national tournament, while Willie Scott earned "Comeback Match of the Year" for his come-from-behind 7-6 decision over former high school teammate Dean Sherry in RU's dual win against Rider. John Van Brill earned "Pin of the Year" for his fall over Logan Parks at NCAAs, and Christian Colucci took home "Moment of the Year" for his dual-clinching victory against No. 19 Princeton at the RAC.
 
A full list of 2018-19 award winners can be found below.
 
Sam Cali Award (Top Redshirt): Billy Janzer
Top GPA Award: Zach Firestone
Community Service Award: Jordan Pagano
Comeback Match of the Year: Willie Scott vs. Rider
Josh Gross Coach's Award: Anthony Olivieri
Pin of the Year: John Van Brill against Logan Parks at NCAAs
Moment of the Year: Christian Colucci vs. Princeton
Total Team Points Award: Anthony Ashnault
Most Improved Wrestler: Joseph Grello
Match of the Year: Nick Suriano vs. Daton Fix at NCAAs
Ted Petty Award: Anthony Ashnault and Nick Suriano
 
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