Wrestling Announces Team Awards

Johnston and Davey named MVP’s

4/27/2026 6:00:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University Director of Wrestling Adam Richards announced the men's and women's wrestling team awards at their annual banquet Tuesday, April 21. Junior Austin Johnston (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) was named the men's team Most Valuable Player, while Alivia Davey (Ripon, Wis.-Berlin) was the recipient of the women's team MVP. In total, 21 Titans earned letters.

Johnston earned the top accolade after an 18-8 campaign, boosting his career record to 52-38. The Normal, Ill. native also collected the award for most falls with 10. Johnston, a captain of the team, was also honored with the team's leadership award alongside freshman Tyson Zvonar (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East). Zvonar capped his multi-award night, earning Rookie of the Year recognition after obtaining all-conference and all-region distinction following a 23-11 freshman season.

Junior Jeremy Olson (Tremont, Ill.-Tremont) and freshman Elijah Moore (Highland Park, Ill.-Highland Park) earned the highest GPA award, while Moore, along with freshman Daniel Muth (Urbana, Ill.-MacArthur), reeled in coaches appreciation awards.

On the women's side, Davey took home MVP honors after becoming the program's first-ever national qualifier. Davey finished the season ranked 15th nationally at 207 pounds. Freshman Kennedy Murray (Evanston, Ill.-Evanston) had the most falls with 11 in her 24-13 opening campaign.

Freshman Leslie Guzman (Fort Worth, Texas.-South Hills) took home the most improved honor. National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans freshmen Jillian Giller (Wilmette, Ill.-Wilmette) and Simone Dyer (Chicago, Ill.-Whitney Young) earned the top GPA award. Freshmen Hayley McNeal (Onaway, Idaho.-Potlatch) and Alila Beck (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) rounded out the award winners, as each earned coaches appreciation awards.

Both teams are expected to return the majority of their roster in the fall.

Men's Letterwinners:

First Year
Trey Dunning
Eli Moore
Brady Mouser
Silas Oberholtzer
Tyson Zvonar

Second Year
Ameer Alamawi
Lucas Blanton
Evan Carel

Third Year
Alex Jackson
Austin Johnston

Women's Letterwinners:

First Year
Alila Beck
Simone Dyer
Jillian Giller
Kimani Glasper
Leslie Guzman
Angel Hill
Hayley McNeal

Second Year
Faith Comas
Alivia Davey
Sifa Feruzi

Print Friendly Version