INDIANAPOLIS – University of Indianapolis junior Derek Blubaugh was named the 2023-24 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Wrestler of the Year, the league office announced on Friday. Additionally, Maryville University grappler Evan Binder earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors, and McKendree University mentor James Kisgen was voted GLVC Coach of the Year by his peers.
A total of 30 wrestlers were named All-Conference honorees across five teams and seven student-athletes were recognized as their program's GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award honoree in the sport. The All-Conference awards are nominated and voted on by league coaches.
Wrestler of the Year: Derek Blubaugh, Junior, 197 lb., Indianapolis
- Claims second-straight Wrestler of the Year award and third overall for UIndy after Dylan Faulkenberg (285) was the first honoree in 2019.
- Went 28-1 on the season overall and 6-0 in GLVC duals.
- Ranked No. 2 at 197 lb. in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) rankings.
- Won four tournaments this season, including the Maryville Open, Bob Del Rosa Open, Little State Open, and Midwest Classic.
- Named GLVC Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 19.
- Selected to All-GLVC First Team, earning his fourth-straight All-Conference honor and third on the First Team.
Freshman of the Year: Evan Binder, 133 lb., Maryville
- Becomes Maryville’s second Freshman of the Year after Tyler Stegall won award in 2019.
- Went 30-12 overall and 5-1 in GLVC duals.
- Ranked No. 12 at 133 lb. in the most recent NWCA rankings.
- Placed eighth at Midwest Classic.
- Only true freshman named to All-GLVC teams.
Coach of the Year: James Kisgen, McKendree
- Secures fifth Coach of the Year honor, the most by a coach since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2017.
- Led McKendree to 14-4 overall record and 5-1 GLVC record, as well as earning a share of the program's fifth GLVC Championship.
- Ranked No. 5 in latest NWCA Poll.
- Kisgen mentored senior Christian Mejia (125), senior Ryan Ripplinger (133), sophomore Ronan Schuelke (141), junior Joey Semerad (149), and junior Cory Peterson (165) to All-GLVC First Team selections, as well as junior Matt Ortiz (174) to the Second Team and sophomore Zeke Waltz (184), redshirt-junior Logan Kvien (197), and redshirt-freshman Tyler Haynes (285) to the Third Team.
Joining Blubaugh, Mejia, Ripplinger, Schuelke, Semerad, and Peterson on the First Team were Upper Iowa University senior Eric Faught (157) and redshirt-junior Colter Bye (184), graduate student Trey Sizemore (174) from UIndy, and redshirt-junior Ryan Herman (285) of Maryville.
Quincy University earned the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team Award, while seven 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 2023-24 All-GLVC teams and postseason honors can be found below.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Derek Blubaugh, Jr., 197 lb., Indianapolis
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Evan Binder, 133 lb., Maryville
COACH OF THE YEAR: James Kisgen, McKendree
ALL-GLVC FIRST TEAM
125: Christian Mejia, Sr., MCK
133: Ryan Ripplinger, Sr., MCK
141: Ronan Schuelke, So., MCK
149: Joey Semerad, Jr., MCK
157: Eric Faught, Sr., UIU
165: Cory Peterson, Jr., MCK
174: Trey Sizemore, Gr., UINDY
184: Colter Bye, R-Jr., UIU
197: Derek Blubaugh, Jr., UINDY
285: Ryan Herman, R-Jr., MU |
ALL-GLVC SECOND TEAM
125: Caden Howard, Sr., DU
133: James Davis, R-Jr., UIU
141: Tate Murty, R-Sr., UIU
149: Dillon Nichols, Sr., DU
157: Owen Zablocki, Gr., UINDY
165: Chase Luensman, Sr., UIU
174: Matt Ortiz, Jr., MCK
184: Owen Butler, R-Jr., UINDY
197: Jeremiah Larson, R-So., MU
285: Jordan Baumler, Sr., UIU |
ALL-GLVC THIRD TEAM
125: Treyton Ackman, R-Fr., UIU
133: Evan Binder, Fr., MU
141: Blake Mulkey, Gr., UINDY
149: Jackson Hoover, Jr., UINDY
157: Will Kuster, Jr., DU
165: Cole Ritter, R-So., MU
174: Ethan Smith, Sr., DU
184: Zeke Waltz, R-So., MCK
197: Logan Kvien, R-Jr., MCK
285: Tyler Haynes, R-Fr., MCK |
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GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Crue Cooper, DAV
Will Kuster, DU
Jackson Hoover, UINDY
Austin Wadlow, MU
Logan Kvien, MCK
Isaac Bourge, QU
Chase Luensman, UIU
GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD TEAM WINNER
Quincy