Wetzel Claims First Ever SLIAC Men's Wrestler of the Year

2/22/2024 9:23:55 AM

Austen Wetzel can lay claim as the first-ever SLIAC Men's Wrestler of the Year. He won three titles this season including the SLIAC 184 pound title. He was 2-0 during the conference championships, winning both matches by pin fall. Wetzel is 26-4 overall this season, tied for the conference lead in wins, and has 10 wins by pin fall. 

The SLIAC Newcomer of the Year is Euerka College's Trevor Hedges. The freshman rolled to the 125 pound SLIAC title, going 3-0 on the weekend including a pair of wins by pin fall. Overall this season Hedges was 17-5 with nine wins by pin fall and three titles. 

The SLIAC Men's Wrestling Coaching Staff of the Year is Eureka College and head coach Eric Biehl. Biehl led the Red Devils to a 2nd place finish at the SLIAC championships while going 4-2 in dual matches this season. 

Lyon College was voted to receive the Team Sportsmanship award. 

First Team All-Conference
Trevor Hedges, Eureka College (125 pounds)
Gaige Owens, Eureka College (133 pounds)
Jacob Dado, University of the Ozarks (141 pounds)
Julian Montelongo, Schreiner University (149 pounds)
Michael Roberts, Westminster College (157 pounds)
Airamis Mendoza, University of the Ozarks (165 pounds)
Connor Morin, Fontbonne University (174 pounds)
Austen Wetzel, Westminster College (184 pounds)
Daniel Benoit, University of the Ozarks (197 pounds)
Ka'Ron Lewis, University of the Ozarks (285 pounds)

Second Team All-Conference
Jose Salinas Nava, Schreiner University (125 pounds)
Jacob Kehrer, Lyon College (133 pounds)
Nathan Berta, Eureka College (141 pounds)
Jay Strausbaugh, Fontbonne University (149 pounds)
Mikie Hartnett, Eureka College (157 pounds)
Micah Dennis, Fontbonne University (165 pounds)
Gabriel Sheikh, University of the Ozarks (174 pounds)
Nawab Singh, Schreiner University (184 pounds)
Thomas Culp, Eureka College (197 pounds)
Luis Rodriguez, Schreiner University (285 pounds)

Third Team All-Conference
Shelton Chastain, University of the Ozarks (125 pounds)
John Raymundo, University of the Ozarks (133 pounds)
Zander Payne, University of the Ozarks (141 pounds)
Wyatt Cooley, Westminster College (149 pounds)
Joe Beck, Fontbonne University (157 pounds)
Anthony Sartori, Eureka College (165 pounds)
Liam Selhorst, Lyon College (174 pounds)
Levi Slaydon, Schreiner University (184 pounds)
Eli Lupton, Lyon College (197 pounds)
Jackson Creasy, Eureka College (285 pounds)

All-Sportsmanship Team
Bernie Cox, Eureka College
Daniel Bauer, Fontbonne University
Ariston Bartley, Lyon College
Hayden Rofkahr, University of the Ozarks
Domingo Davilla, Schreiner University
Montgomery Mills, Westminster College