University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Carolina Wrestling Announces 2021 Banquet Awards
May 25, 2021 | Wrestling
Carolina Wrestling held its 2020-21 Awards Banquet this weekend in Chapel Hill, honoring its graduating seniors and celebrating the successes of the past season, including Austin O'Connor's national championship at 149 pounds.
Among the honors was the presentation of the Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler award, which was given to senior Sawyer Davidson. The award is given to the student-athlete who the coaching staff believes embodies "Tar Heel hard work". Past recipients of the award are Jaime Hernandez and Nick Lirette.
O'Connor was provided with the Most Outstanding Wrestler award, as well as recognized for winning ACC Wrestler of the Year.
The full list of team awards:
T.J. Jaworsky Most Valuable Wrestler: Austin O'Connor
Highest GPA: Gino Esposito
Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated: Sawyer Davidson
Utility Man: Wil Guida
Most Improved: Max Shaw
Weight Room Newcomer: Cade Lautt
Weight Room Iron Ram: Devin Kane
Weight Room Most Improved: Wil Guida
O'Connor has now won Most Valuable Wrestler for the past three seasons. His season was highlighted by his national title victory over Ohio State's No. 1 Sammy Sasso.
Esposito was honored for earning the 2020-21 Wells Fargo Post Graduate Scholarship and for being named an Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete. Esposito is one of four members of the UNC Wrestling team who will be enrolled in the Kenan-Flagler Business School's MAC program next semester.
Strength and Conditioning coach Nick Vetell presented Lautt, Kane and Guida their awards for work in the weight room.
Among the honors was the presentation of the Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler award, which was given to senior Sawyer Davidson. The award is given to the student-athlete who the coaching staff believes embodies "Tar Heel hard work". Past recipients of the award are Jaime Hernandez and Nick Lirette.
O'Connor was provided with the Most Outstanding Wrestler award, as well as recognized for winning ACC Wrestler of the Year.
The full list of team awards:
T.J. Jaworsky Most Valuable Wrestler: Austin O'Connor
Highest GPA: Gino Esposito
Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated: Sawyer Davidson
Utility Man: Wil Guida
Most Improved: Max Shaw
Weight Room Newcomer: Cade Lautt
Weight Room Iron Ram: Devin Kane
Weight Room Most Improved: Wil Guida
O'Connor has now won Most Valuable Wrestler for the past three seasons. His season was highlighted by his national title victory over Ohio State's No. 1 Sammy Sasso.
Esposito was honored for earning the 2020-21 Wells Fargo Post Graduate Scholarship and for being named an Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete. Esposito is one of four members of the UNC Wrestling team who will be enrolled in the Kenan-Flagler Business School's MAC program next semester.
Strength and Conditioning coach Nick Vetell presented Lautt, Kane and Guida their awards for work in the weight room.
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