March 21, 2007

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GREELEY, Colo. - Closing out a successful first season back in the Division I ranks, the University of Northern Colorado wrestling team had three wrestlers named to the 2007 Western Wrestling Conference First Team.

Leading the way was redshirt sophomore Kenny Hashimoto, who was ranked as high as ninth nationally, and finished with a 23-4 record this season. Along the way, he won the school's own Old Chicago/Northern Colorado open, as well as the West Regional, earning a berth in last week's 2007 NCAA Division I Championships.

Also making the first team were juniors Reece Hopkin and Shawn Vincent.

Hopkin also closed out his campaign at the championships, and finished his season with Northern Colorado Open and West Regional Titles, en route to a 19-9 season.

Shawn Vincent finished 17-13, making his biggest splash at the West Regional with an upset victory in the final, earning the third of Northern Colorado's automatic berths to nationals.

Three Bears also earned third-team selections. Tony Mustari was honored in his first year as an eligible wrestler, finishing 23-10 and earning a trip to nationals. Northern Colorado's final national qualifier, Luke Salazar earned a third-team nod, finishing 17-9 in his final collegiate season.

Devan Lewis was the Bears' final All-Conference selection, after completing a 17-11 season.

Several Northern Colorado wrestlers also earned accolades for their work in the classroom, as the WWC recently announced its inaugural Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2006-07 season. Three Bears made the list.

Hopkin was named to the Honor Roll after maintaining a 3.13 GPA as a Physical Education major.

Recreation major Blayze Bahe carried a 3.05 GPA, while Ryan Johnson had the Bears' highest GPA at 3.64, as a marketing major.

"We're very proud of all the student-athletes that were honored for their work on and off the mat this season," said Bears head coach Jack Maughan. "Our hope is to increase our efforts next year, and have an even better showing, which I know we're capable of."