Wrestling: Rader Named EWL Freshman of the Year
March 23, 2006 09:48 AM | General
March 23, 2006
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Eastern Wrestling League today named West Virginia University freshman wrestler Brandon Rader as its 2006 freshman of the year.
The Parkersburg, W.Va., native capped off one of the most memorable freshman seasons in school history on Saturday, March 18, by finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City. Rader pinned two opponents at the tournament and became the program’s first-ever true freshman All-American, and 28th all-time, by defeating Pitt’s Ron Tarquinio.
Only three other West Virginia natives have earned All-America honors for the Mountaineers: Jimmie Cox (1929), Mike Mason (1997-98) and Sam Kline (1999).
Rader finished a perfect 4-0 in EWL dual meet action this year, and on March 5, defeated Tarquinio at the EWL tournament to win the 141-pound championship.
Rader finished the season with a 30-6 record, defeating a total of nine ranked wrestlers. His 30 wins rank tied for first all-time in school history with current assistant coach Shane Cunanan for wins in a season by a 141-pounder and second for wins as a freshman behind current assistant coach Greg Jones’ 34.
The EWL also announced today Edinboro head coach Tim Flynn as its coach of the year and senior 133-pounder Shawn Bunch as the wrestler of the year.
