April 2, 2007

ERIE, Pa. - For the third year in a row, the Mercyhurst College wrestling team held its awards banquet on Sunday afternoon at the Marketplace Grille. The Lakers finished the season 11-6-1 to stretch their non-losing season streak to six seasons, every year of the program. They also ended the season on a 9-0-1 run which culminated in a 15th place national finish and a final dual meet ranking of ninth in Division II.

Seniors Zack Schafer (seventh at 174 lbs.) and J.J. Zanetta (seventh at 141 lbs.) along with freshman Andy Lamancusa (6th at 157 lbs.) were given their framed All-American Certificates as part of the ceremony.

The Lakers also honored their record setting seven members of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team. To qualifiy for the team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a t 3.0 GPA. There is also a competition component to the team as well. The following Lakers were honored:

Honorable Mention:
Jeremiah Hill, sophomore, Liberty Center, Ohio - 3.1 in Criminal Justice
Ryan McCartney, sophomore, Chardon, Ohio - 3.3 in Intelligence Studies

Second Team
Bryan Kuhn, junior, Erie, Pa. - 3.8 in Intelligence Studies (two-time member)
Brian Pogel, sophomore, Allison Park, Pa. - 3.1 in Hotel, Restaraunt, and Institutional Management
Leonard Calhoun, sophomore, Brockway, Pa. - 3.39 in Criminal Justice

First Team
Zack Schafer, senior, Girard, Pa. - 3.06 in Accounting (three-time selection)
J.J. Zanetta, senior, Pittsburgh, Pa. - 3.23 in Art Education (three-time selection)

The next set of Awards given out were memorial awards named in honor of fallen Laker wrestlers.

The Mike Shumac Memorial Award is awarded to a wrestler who is tough, works hard and does whatever he can to make the team better. This year's award was given to Leonard Calhoun. Lenny had a 13-4 record on the season competing at both 141 and 149. He placed 2nd in the National Catholic Invitational, 3rd at the Keystone Classic and defeated two All-Americans during the course of the season.

The James Jones Memorial Award is awarded to the wrestler who worked hard in practice everyday and dedicated himself to the betterment of the team. This year's award was given to Brian Pogel. Brian had a 10-8 record on the season wrestling at both 149 and 157. Brian was projected as a redshirt this season coming back from off season shoulder surgery, but he rehabbed hard and wanted to wrestle and won huge matches again Gannon (major decision), nationally ranked Newberry College (technical fall) and defeated the No. 2 wrestler in the East Region to help the Lakers tie University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown in the last match of the season. Brian then gave up his spot in the lineup as soon-to-be All-American Andy Lamancusa returned from injury and came back to win the East Regional title at 157 lbs. Brian didn't complain and helped train both Andy, Don Cummings and Hudson Harrison for the remainder of the season.

The Rookie of the Year Award went to Andy Lamancusa. Andy finished the season 22-9 despite missing almost two months with a broken hand suffered in the second match at the NWCA National Duals. Before that injury, Andy had won a title at the National Catholic Invitational, placed third at the Keystone Classic, and placed fourth at the Ohio Northern Invitational and had appeared in the national rankings at No. 8. Upon his return, he picked up where he had left off winning the East Regional Championship at 157 lbs, the first time a Laker freshman had accomplished that feat and concluded his season with a sixth place national finish and was :30 seconds away from the highest finish by a freshman in Laker history.

The final award of the day went to the Laker Most Valuable Wrestler and it was fitting that both departing seniors, roommates and friends, Zack Schafer and J.J. Zanetta were co-winners of the award. J.J. ended his career with his second straight All-American certificate. He was a three-time NWCA All-Academic Team selection. This season he led the team in victories with 323 which is a new school record, had 100 takedowns which led the team, led the the team with 10 major decisions, led the team in advantage time points and was second on the team in team points.

Schafer was a three-time All-American and a three-time NWCA All-Academic Team selection. This season, he led the team in reversals, pins and team points and was second on the team in total near fall points, major decisions and wins. Schafer was also honored as the third member of the 100 win club as he became the all-time winningest wrestler at Mercyhurst with 109 career wins.

Freshman wrestlers Bill Schindel and Ryan Farrell gave the Invocation and Benediction during the banquet.