AMES, Iowa – Jake Varner, a two-time All-American, was named Iowa State’s Outstanding Wrestler Tuesday at the ISU Wrestling Awards Banquet held at Hickory Hall. Honored alongside Varner for garnering NCAA All-American accolades were Nick Fanthorpe, Nick Gallick, Cyler Sanderson, Jon Reader, David Bertolino and David Zabriskie. The seven Cyclone All-Americans marks the most for the program since 1993. ISU also claimed it second straight conference team title for the first time since 1979-80 with a dominating performance March 8 in Stillwater, Okla.
Varner posted a 29-1 record in his sophomore campaign and finished as the 184-pound NCAA runner-up. He earned his first individual Big 12 title in 2008. A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Varner pinned seven opponents on the season and also received the team’s Most Falls Award. In two years of action, Varner holds a 59-8 mark.
For the second year in a row, Nick Fanthorpe received the Total Commitment Award. Fanthorpe closed out his sophomore season with a 32-6 record and a seventh-place showing at the NCAA Championships. He won his first individual Big 12 crown at 133 pounds. In dual action, Fanthorpe lead the team in takedowns with 64. Hailing from Naperville, Ill., he owns a career record of 61-17.
The Dr. Wise Burroughs Leadership Award went to Cyler Sanderson. Sanderson garnered All-American status by placing seventh at 157 pounds at the NCAA Championships. The sophomore from Heber City, Utah, claimed top-honors in his weight class at the Big 12 Championship. He led the team in wins with a 33-6 record and is 63-17 in his career.
Nick Gallick received the Progress Award. The sophomore 141-pounder from Tucson, Ariz., surged at the end of the season, and rallied for a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Prior to the national tournament, Gallick knocked off defending Big 12 champ Nathan Morgan of Oklahoma State 3-1 in sudden victory. He closed out the season with a record of 28-13 and is 57-23 in his ISU career.
Redshirt freshman Jon Reader’s explosive offense throughout the season earned him the Bonus Points Award. Of his 30 wins, 16 resulted in bonus points. He tallied seven major decisions, four technical falls and pinned five opponents. In his rookie season, the Davison, Mich., native earned All-American honors at 165 pounds and finished the year with a 30-9 record.
Anthony White, a senior from Centerville, Iowa, was given the Outstanding Academic Award for the second year in a row. Three Cyclones were honored by the Big 12 Conference for academic achievement. Senior Ben Hanisch and Fanthorpe were both named to the league’s first team, while Sanderson was named to the second team. Also receiving academic recognition were Todd Becker, Joey DeMarie, Kevin McFarland, Johnathan Scott and Kyle Simonson.
Roger Gould was honored with the Great Cyclone Award. Brad and Bev Jensen received the Outstanding Supporter Award.
Varner Named ISU's Outstanding Wrestler - Iowa State University Athletics Official Web Site - www.CYCLONES.com - Iowa State Cyclones Sports 
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