April 4, 2012

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Following a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and earning All-America status for the second consecutive year, junior Josh Asper earned the John C. McHugh Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year award Sunday afternoon at the Maryland wrestling spring banquet held in Heritage Hall at the Comcast Center.

In addition to earning wrestler of the year recognition, Asper shared the Curt Callahan Award with redshirt sophomore Jimmy Sheptock for mental toughness at the banquet, which was attended by Dr. Wallace Loh.

Senior Kyle John took home two awards. John, who captured his first career ACC title this season, won the Kevin R. Kearns Award for the senior who contributed the most to wrestling at Maryland, and the Tom Norris Award given to the wrestler who puts the team ahead of himself.

After earning a team-leading 31 wins in 2011-12, redshirt sophomore Christian Boley was voted the Most Improved, while freshman Conor Wetzel earned Redshirt of the Year honors.

Freshman Geoffrey Alexander earned Freshman of the Year following a 22-12 campaign and an ACC championship at 133 pounds.

Team awards were voted on by the players.

The team concluded the evening with speeches from its eight seniors: Matt Bogusz, Joey Boone, Ryan Gray, Kyle John, Brian Marcoux, Shawn Mazzarone, Corey Peltier and Owen Smith, who shared their fondest moments with the attendees.

The Terps captured its second consecutive ACC title, and third in the last four years, after finishing the season 15-1. The squad sent seven wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, which was the most since 1990.

-Terps-