John Shuffitt topped off his wrestling career at Seymour High School by earning the Owls’ most valuable wrestler title during the team’s awards program in the school cafeteria Thursday night.
Head coach Todd Weaver said one of the reasons Shuffitt received most valuable honors is because he topped the Owls in team points this season.
“Every year he was near the top of the team in points. You could count on him,” Weaver said, and added that Shuffitt is in the top 10 in career wins at Seymour with 90.
Shuffitt, who wrestled at 126 pounds all four years, had a record of 30-12 this season.
He was second in the Evansville Memorial Tournament, third in the sectional, fifth in the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament, and seventh at the Mooresville Classic.
John’s twin brother, David, received the mental attitude award.
Weaver said this is the second time he has received this award.
“He is a great example of having nothing fluster him on the mat,” Weaver said. “He did a fantastic job. He had a great attitude on and off the mat.”
Sophomore Kevin Corrales received the most improved award.
Freshman Owen Chandler took home two special awards, the coach’s award and the most wins plaque.
“He was close to winning several of the team awards,” Weaver said. “He was up there in a lot of categories.”
Chandler won 32 matches this season.
Senior Cheaney Reichenbacker received the takedown award, with 56 takedowns, and sophomore Brandon Penegar received the most pins award with 18 falls.
Senior Dalton Miller received the plaque for the quickest pin, as he beat a Providence wrestler in 8 seconds.
Sophomore Jaren Keller was named the outstanding reserve wrestler, and Jacob Rotert was named the top freshman wrestler.
The Owls were 23-3 in dual meets this season, breaking the record of 22 wins that the 2015-16 team set.
A total of 10 wrestlers ventured to the regional and three — Penegar, Zack Newton and Justin Ruddick — qualified for semistate.
Weaver said he coached the five seniors, the Shuffitts, Miller, Reichenbacker and Bradan Thomasma, for all four years.
“This was a special year for me,” Weaver said. “This is the group I started with. These were my guys. These seniors were a great group. What a group to have. To watch them on the mat was special.”
Weaver presented four-year awards to the Shuffitts, Thomasma and Reichenbacker.
“We had a great season,” Weaver said. “You always hope for a little more, but they were great kids to work with.”
He said it takes a lot mentally to wrestle for four years in high school.
“You have to do things you don’t want to do,” Weaver said. “You have to overcome speed bumps, obstacles. Very rarely are you going to have a day where you feel 100 percent.”
Weaver presented 14 wrestlers with Ironman Awards.
He said wrestlers couldn’t miss more than two practices for the season in order to qualify for that award.
Weaver presented community service awards to Leah Chandler and Adam Wolka for their support and help with the program.
Middle school head coach Joe Penegar introduced the middle school team. He said those Owls won the Tri-County Tournament, and he presented special awards.
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Middle school awards: Top reserve – Chance Craig; rookie of the year-Ethan Hawkins; most improved-Jake Schlatterer; mental attitude-Caleb Elliot; most wins-Matthew Lane; most takedowns- Lane; coaches award-Chandler Drummond; most pins-Isaiah Fontanez; fastest pin-Fontanez; most valuable-Sammy Chandler.
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