Wabash Wrestling Makes Solid Service Finalist List

Brent Harris

5/20/2014 3:03:00 PM

The National Wrestling Coaches Association and Elite Level Sports Marketing announced six finalists for the Best of Brand "Solid Service" Award, which included the Wabash College wrestling program.

The Little Giants made the finals list along with Indiana Tech, Johns Hopkins, North Carolina, Ouachita Baptist, and Wayland Baptist. The "Solid Service" Award recognizes wrestling programs which created videos that highlight community service outreach during the season.

"I am excited for Wabash wrestling to be named a finalist for this 'Solid Service' Award because it will help bring more attention to JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), which was one of our overall goals for the 2013-14 season," said Little Giant head coach Brian Anderson.

"Our guys put forth tremendous effort in raising money and awareness for JDRF," assistant coach and social media coordinator Danny Irwin added. "We hope through our video helps get that message out and strengthens the impact we have as a program with JDRF."

Wabash has participated in JDRF walks the past two season, working as "Team Kelsey." Anderson's daughter, Kelsey was diagnosed with diabetes over two years ago. Wabash wrestler Conner Lefever, a 2014 Midwest Regional champion and NCAA Division III national qualifier at 174 pounds, is also a diabetic. The wrestling team provided additional support for JDRF by creating an Outdoor Takedown Tournament in the fall of 2013. The team moved wrestling mats on the Mud Hollow Stadium soccer and lacrosse field and raised money through donations throughout the tournament held prior to a home Wabash football game.

Criteria for determining the "Solid Service" Award recipient includes a panel of judges assessing video performance (70 percent) and an online voting competition (30 percent). The online voting component will include 15 percent allocated to the actual vote totals and 15 percent to the creativity of the campaign during the Battle Round voting. The quarterfinal round of voting begins at noon on June 9 and runs until 9 p.m. (EDT). Voting information can be found at http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwcawebsite/best-of-brand-battle-rounds.