ITHACA, N.Y.—The Big Red wrestling team held its annual awards banquet on Sunday afternoon at Lake Watch Inn. The coaching staff handed out its end of the season accolades, while the team honored its senior class. Four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake was named the team's MVP and also received the Hodge Trophy, given nationally to the top wrestler in the country.

The Russ Martin Award for the outstanding freshman was given to Nahshon Garrett. Garrett wrapped up his stellar rookie campaign by placing third at the 2013 NCAA Championships. At 125 pounds, he entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed and wowed the crowd by defeating the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds along the way. Garrett broke the school record for wins in a season with 43 in his third place match. The Big Red rookie finished his season with a 43-5 mark. Garrett was named EIWA freshman of the year, Ivy League Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Ivy.

The Carl W.W. Alquist Award for the most improved wrestler was handed out to Jace Bennett. Bennett wrapped up his sophomore season with a 31-16 record. He was second on the team in falls with 14, which is tied for fifth in the Cornell record books for pins in a season. Bennett placed third at the EIWA tournament to qualify for his first NCAA tournament.

Athletic trainer Chris Scarlata handed out the Eric LaFrance “Tough Guy” award to Stryker Lane and Jesse Shanaman. Both wrestlers overcame injuries throughout the season to maintain their starting spots at their respective weight classes. Lane finished the season with a 19-14 record at heavyweight. He placed fourth at the EIWA tournament to qualify for the NCAAs. Shanaman was 12-10 on the season and took sixth at the EIWA championships at 157 pounds.

Senior NCAA champion Steve Bosak received the Andy Noel Leadership Award. Bosak finished his career with the Big Red with a third place finish at the NCAA tournament after battling injuries at the beginning of the year. Bosak was 25-3 for the season at 184 pounds, and has a career record of 131-30. He is seventh in overall wins in the Cornell record books.  

Junior Mike Nevinger won the James Meldrim '63 Memorial Award given to the wrestler that displays outstanding character, sportsmanship and contribution to Cornell Wrestling. Nevinger wrestled the most matches this season at 54 with a record of 42-12. His 42 victories are tied for second for the most in a season. Nevinger has a 99-33 overall record. The Big Red junior placed third at the EIWA tournament to qualify for his second NCAA tournament. Nevinger earned his second All-America honors with a fifth place finish at 141 pounds.

Dake received the Most Falls Award and the Peter J. Floros Memorial Award as the Most Valuable Wrestler. Dake became the first wrestler to ever win four NCAA titles at four different weight classes. Dake is also just the third wrestler to ever win four NCAA titles. Dake was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. On top of leading Cornell in pins, Dake earned the NCAA award for the most falls this season with 18. Dake wrapped up his amazing Cornell career with a 137-4 record. Dake won his last 79 matches, a winstreak that goes back to March 6, 2011 when lost the EIWA finals at 149 pounds. Dake had perfect seasons at 157 and 165 pounds.

Dake also received his Hodge Trophy on Sunday. The Big Red senior was announced as the winner in March. The award, founded by wrestling historian Mike Chapman of Culture House Books, has seven criteria. They are, in order of importance: season record, number of pins, dominance, quality of competition, previous credentials, sportsmanship/citizenship and heart.

 “I created the Hodge Trophy to bring greater recognition to the top college wrestlers in the nation each year, and Kyle Dake is the epitome of what the award stands for,” said Chapman. “I have attended 44 NCAA tournaments and he is one of the finest competitors I have ever seen. This was one of the toughest years to win the Hodge Trophy, as there were a number of great contenders. Kyle Dake is the best of the best!”

Senior captain Joe Stanzione received the Graham Morin Eleventh Man Award. Stanzione was recognized for his leadership on and off the mat. He had a 16-7 record this season. Stanzione placed second at the Binghamton Open and fourth at the New York State Championships and Penn State Open.  

The Donald Dickason '53 Academic Award was given to junior Michael Alexander. Alexander is majoring in engineering. He had a 4-2 record this season and wrestled at the New York State championships and Southern Scuffle.

The Big Red finished the NCAA tournament in fifth place with four All-Americans. This marked the ninth-straight season that
Cornell had four or more All-Americans. With one of its hardest duals seasons in school history, Cornell finished with a 14-4 record.