DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois wrestling team celebrated its successful 2016-17 season during its year-end banquet and recognized several team members for their outstanding efforts on and off the mat.
 
The Huskies' 2016-17 season was highlighted by a record-breaking team point total at the Mid-American Conference Championships; the qualification of five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships (the most in 32 years); the advancement of three NIU grapplers to the Round of 12 at NCAAs; and Shawn Scott earning his 100^th career win (joining a small class of Huskie elites to ever achieve such a feat).
 
Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) kicked off the awards ceremony, receiving the Upperclassman Academic Award for his outstanding 3.843 GPA while majoring in nursing.  He also won the Outstanding Redshirt Award for his success on the mat. Rosser competed in four open tournaments, winning the Harper Open and earning runner-up at the Pat Flanagan Open. He finished the season with a 14-5 record and topped leaderboard for most pins (5) amongst the Huskies.
 
Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ill./Danville) was recognized for having the highest grade point average in the freshman class, earning the Freshman Academic Award for his 3.571 GPA as a pre-physical therapy major. He also picked up the Most Improved Award. Hudkins opened the season, just missing the podium at the Eastern Michigan Open. Following the tournament, he picked up 19 wins throughout the season, including a third-place finish at MACs, and qualified for NCAAs. He went 3-2 at the national level, making it to the prestigious Round of 12 and falling just one win shy of receiving the All-American honors as a freshman.
 
Andrew Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) picked up the 11^th Man Award. During his redshirt-sophomore season, Scott placed fourth at the Michigan State Open and wrestled in four duals at 165-pounds.
 
Caden McWhirter (Prattville, Ala./Prattville) was awarded the Will McDermott Most Dedicated Award. In memory of Will McDermott, the Most Dedicated Award is given to a wrestler who has dedicated 110% of himself to his teammates, coaches, sport, and academics.
 
Shawn Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) earned the Lifter of the Year Award for being the most consistent in the weight room.
 
Shaun'Qae McMurtry (Lockport, Ill./Nebraska) earned the Huskie Pride Award. This award is given to the wrestler who exemplifies what it means to be a Huskie, not only having great joy for his own successes, but also great joy for his teammates. McMurtry was acknowledged for being a true team-first guy and the epitome of a Huskie.
 
Trace Engelkes (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) earned the True Grit Award, an award that recognizes the wrestler who shows much resolve and character throughout the season and their matches. Engelkes finished the season with a 21-6 record and an 80-42 career record as a Huskie. He led the team in dual points (50) and major decisions (4). Engelkes was the runner-up at the Mid-American Conference Championships at 174-pounds and qualified for his first NCAAs, where he recorded a huge pin in his opening match.
 
Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) and Shawn Scott were co-winners of the MVP Award. The pair mirrored similar seasons, Bleise finishing with a 29-10 record and Scott with a 26-9 record. Each garnered a fourth-place finish at MACs and went on to compete at NCAAs, where they both advanced to the Round of 12.
 
 
2016-17 NIU Wrestling Award Winners:
 
Upperclassman Academic Award - Quinton Rosser
Freshman Academic Award – Brock Hudkins
Outstanding Redshirt Award – Quinton Rosser  
11^th Man Award – Andrew Scott
Will McDermott Most Dedicated Award – Caden McWhirter
Lifter of the Year Award – Shawn Scott
Most Improved Award – Brock Hudkins
Huskie Pride Award – Shaun'Qae McMurtry
True Grit Award – Trace Engelkes
MVP – Steve Bleise and Shawn Scott