WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Wrestling incoming freshmen Joey Blaze and Greyson Clark have been named state winners for the annual Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA) the National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.
Blaze of Perrysburg, Ohio, and Clark of Wrightstown, Wis., both represent their states for the prestigious honor that recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service.
Three state titles and a Super 32 championship for Blaze helped propel him to become the top recruit from the state of Ohio and earn his spot as the state's award winner. Clark went 48-0 in his senior season on his way to taking his fourth state title and was the obvious choice to represent Wisconsin.
Purdue sits in a tie for the most student-athletes on this year's list as one of only eight programs to have more than one. It is the first time head coach Tony Ersland has had two in the same recruiting class. The last Boilermaker to earn the honor was Parker Filius in 2017 as Montana's winner.
Five regional winners will be announced on April 26 and the national winner will be announced on May 3. Both Blaze and Clark hail from the Midwest regional.
The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz of Oklahoma, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
The state winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.
Blaze of Perrysburg, Ohio, and Clark of Wrightstown, Wis., both represent their states for the prestigious honor that recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service.
Three state titles and a Super 32 championship for Blaze helped propel him to become the top recruit from the state of Ohio and earn his spot as the state's award winner. Clark went 48-0 in his senior season on his way to taking his fourth state title and was the obvious choice to represent Wisconsin.
Purdue sits in a tie for the most student-athletes on this year's list as one of only eight programs to have more than one. It is the first time head coach Tony Ersland has had two in the same recruiting class. The last Boilermaker to earn the honor was Parker Filius in 2017 as Montana's winner.
Five regional winners will be announced on April 26 and the national winner will be announced on May 3. Both Blaze and Clark hail from the Midwest regional.
The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz of Oklahoma, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
The state winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.