Lakeland wrestling honors its own at year-end banquet

The Lakeland wrestling team capped a stellar 2008-09 season with a banquet on Sunday, March 29, at Bossard Hall on the Lakeland campus.

The Muskies finished tied for 21st place at the NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The team was spearheaded by All-American junior Adam Sutter. As Lakeland’s second-ever All-American, the 285-pounder finished sixth in the heavyweight division to finish his fantastic 08-09 campaign with a 32-10 mark.

Senior Jonas Flok (157 pounds) also competed at nationals, coming up winless in a pair of bouts. Flok concluded his season, and career at Lakeland, with a 27-13 record.

The team also captured its second consecutive Northern Wrestling Association championship. Four Lakeland wrestlers – Sutter, senior David Copp (125), freshman Rob Frias (133) and junior Ben Chapman (174) – wrestled their way to individual titles.

Five team awards were given out at the banquet, which featured a buffet-style dinner, remarks on each wrestler from head coach Pete Rogers and the viewing of a season highlight video compiled by several of the team’s seniors.

Copp (Oostburg) received the award for Most Takedowns, registering a school-record 134 on the season. The senior also led the team in wins with a sterling 33-12 mark, pushing his career total to 97.

The honor for Most Near Falls was given to senior Kory Theil (141). The Crystal Lake, Ill., native posted a team-high 77 near falls, bringing his career total to 158. Theil was also third on the team with 31 victories.

Sutter (Gladstone, Mich.) took home the Most Pins and Most Team Points. He edged out Flok (18-17) for most pins, and put up 164 team points in the process.

Copp, Theil, Flok and fellow senior J.D. Sylvanus (Johnsburg, Ill.) took home Team Captain Award accolades.