Wrestling Announces 2020-21 Team Awards
May 06 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wrestling revealed its team awards for the 2020-21 season. John Poznanski (184) and Sebastian Rivera (141) shared the Ted Petty Most Valuable Wrestler award after both secured fourth-place finishes and All-America honors at the 2021 NCAA Championships in St. Louis.
Poznanski went 11-4 in his first collegiate season en route to All-America laurels and a third-place finish at the 2021 Big Ten Championships. Poznanski became the highest true freshman finisher at the national tournament in program history and helped RU secure two NCAA Championship semifinalists for the second consecutive national tournament. The Colonia, New Jersey, native finished with an 8-3 mark against ranked foes and a 3-1 record in dual action.
Rivera wrapped up his first season with the Scarlet Knights with his third All-America honor after he also finished fourth at this year's NCAA Championships. The two-time Big Ten Champion finished 12-3 during the abbreviated 2021 campaign and led the Scarlet Knights with a perfect 4-0 mark and team-high 15 points in dual action. Rivera has produced 84 victories during his collegiate career.
Under the guidance of head coach Scott Goodale, Rutgers closed the 2021 season with three All-Americans in the same year for the first time in program history, as Poznanski (fourth), Rivera (fourth) and Jackson Turley (eighth) all earned All-America honors at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Along with two-time NCAA qualifiers Michael VanBrill (149) and Billy Janzer (197), RU produced 13 victories at nationals en route to a 13th-place finish with 37.5 team points.
A full list of 2020-21 award winners can be found below.
Sam Cali Award (Top Freshman): John Poznanski
Top GPA Award: Zach Firestone
Comeback Match of the Year: Robert Kanniard vs.Ohio State
Josh Gross Coach's Award: Brett Donner
Pin of the Year: John Poznanski over Owen Webster (Minnesota) at Big Tens
Moment of the Year: John Poznanski, Sebastian Rivera and Jackson Turley earn All-America status
Total Team Points Award: Sebastian Rivera (15 team points)
Most Improved Wrestler: Jackson Turley
Matches of the Year: Dylan Shawver & Michael VanBrill at Big Tens
Ted Petty Award: John Poznanski & Sebastian Rivera
Poznanski went 11-4 in his first collegiate season en route to All-America laurels and a third-place finish at the 2021 Big Ten Championships. Poznanski became the highest true freshman finisher at the national tournament in program history and helped RU secure two NCAA Championship semifinalists for the second consecutive national tournament. The Colonia, New Jersey, native finished with an 8-3 mark against ranked foes and a 3-1 record in dual action.
Rivera wrapped up his first season with the Scarlet Knights with his third All-America honor after he also finished fourth at this year's NCAA Championships. The two-time Big Ten Champion finished 12-3 during the abbreviated 2021 campaign and led the Scarlet Knights with a perfect 4-0 mark and team-high 15 points in dual action. Rivera has produced 84 victories during his collegiate career.
Under the guidance of head coach Scott Goodale, Rutgers closed the 2021 season with three All-Americans in the same year for the first time in program history, as Poznanski (fourth), Rivera (fourth) and Jackson Turley (eighth) all earned All-America honors at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Along with two-time NCAA qualifiers Michael VanBrill (149) and Billy Janzer (197), RU produced 13 victories at nationals en route to a 13th-place finish with 37.5 team points.
A full list of 2020-21 award winners can be found below.
Sam Cali Award (Top Freshman): John Poznanski
Top GPA Award: Zach Firestone
Comeback Match of the Year: Robert Kanniard vs.Ohio State
Josh Gross Coach's Award: Brett Donner
Pin of the Year: John Poznanski over Owen Webster (Minnesota) at Big Tens
Moment of the Year: John Poznanski, Sebastian Rivera and Jackson Turley earn All-America status
Total Team Points Award: Sebastian Rivera (15 team points)
Most Improved Wrestler: Jackson Turley
Matches of the Year: Dylan Shawver & Michael VanBrill at Big Tens
Ted Petty Award: John Poznanski & Sebastian Rivera
Players Mentioned
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