INDIANAPOLIS – McKendree University junior Ian Kuehl was named the 2021-22 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Wrestler of the Year, the league office announced on Friday afternoon. Additionally, Drury University grappler Brandon Borlinghaus earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors, and McKendree’s James Kisgen was voted GLVC Coach of the Year by his peers.
A total of 30 wrestlers were named All-Conference honorees across three teams and eight student-athletes were recognized as their program’s James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award honoree in the sport. Major award winners and All-GLVC teams are voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Kuehl finished the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 14-1. The Lena, Ill., native is ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II at 285 and was crowned Champion at this year’s Midwest Classic back in December. Additionally, Kuehl was named to the All-GLVC First Team while this is the fourth time a Bearcat has been named the league’s top wrestler.
Borlinghuas finished his rookie campaign with a record of 13-5, picking up third-team All-GLVC honors for his efforts this year. The is the first time a wrestler from Drury has earned a major award.
Kisgen led the Bearcats to their fourth Conference title in the last five years this season after holding off No. 2 seed Indianapolis in the final dual at the GLVC Championships earlier this month. McKendree compiled a 16-1 overall record with a perfect 5-0 mark in GLVC competition. Its lone loss came in early January at the NWCA National Duals against Newberry College. The Bearcats also rank No. 5 as a team in the latest NWCA national poll and Kisgen earns his fourth Coach of the Year accolade.
McKendree and UIndy tied for the most first-team All-GLVC selections, each finishing with four honorees. In addition to Kuehl, representing the Bearcats were Christian Mejia (125), Cory Peterson (165), and Dan Filipek (184) while the Greyhounds placed Logan Bailey (149), Dawson Combest (157), Andrew Sams (174), and Derek Blubaugh (197) on the first-team list. Lindenwood claimed the last two first-team spots with Tanner Hitchcock (133) and Colby Smith (141) earning first-team honors for the second-consecutive season.
William Jewell College earned the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team Award, while eight student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior were also recognized. These individuals must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. The honorees are now eligible to become one of their school’s two Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners, which will be announced at the end of the academic year.
A complete list of the 2021-22 GLVC All-Conference teams and postseason honors follows.
2021-22 GLVC WRESTLING POSTSEASON HONORS
GLVC Wrestler of the Year: Ian Kuehl, R-Jr., 285 lb., McKendree
GLVC Freshman of the Year: Brandon Borlinghaus, 133 lb., Drury
GLVC Coach of the Year: James Kisgen, McKendree
All-GLVC FIRST TEAM
125: Christian Meija, So., MCK
133: Tanner Hitchcock, Gr., LWU
141: Colby Smith, Gr., LWU
149: Logan Bailey, R-So., UINDY
157: Dawson Combest, Jr., UINDY
165: Cory Peterson, So., MCK
174: Andrew Sams, Sr., UINDY
184: Dan Filipek, Gr., MCK
197: Derek Blubaugh, So., UINDY
285: Ian Kuehl, R-Jr., MCK |
ALL-GLVC SECOND TEAM
125: Anthony Pisciotta, Jr., MU
133: Breyden Bailey, Sr., UINDY
141: Peter Kuster, Jr., DU
149: Tyler Stegall, Jr., MU
157: Jose Champagne, Sr., MCK
165: Nate Trepanier, Sr., LWU
174: Josh Jones, Jr., MCK
184: Joey Williams, So., MU
197: Vincenzo Scaletta, Gr., MCK
285: Cale Gray, R-So., UINDY |
ALL-GLVC THIRD TEAM
125: Isaac Jacquez, Sr., LWU
133: Brandon Borlinghaus, Fr., DU
141: Brody Norman, R-So., MCK
149: Jack Tangen, Sr., LWU
157: Anthony Michaels, Sr., LWU
165: Will Kuster, Fr., DU
174: Bret Heil, So., MU
184: Gleason Mappes, Sr., UINDY
197: Chase Stegall, So., MU
285: Ryan Herman, R-So., MU |
2021-22 GLVC WRESTLING JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP INDIVIDUAL AWARD HONOREES
Crue Cooper, DAV
Will Kuster, DU
Derek Blubaugh, UINDY
Nate Trepanier, LWU
Taylor Jokerst, MU
Christian Mejia, MCK
Noah Yeamans, OBU
Caleb Benshoof, WJC
2021-22 GLVC WRESTLING JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM AWARD
William Jewell