Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Signee Cael Hughes Named Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Winner
April 24, 2023 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling signee Cael Hughes has been announced as the winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award for the state of Oklahoma by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A Stillwater native, Hughes captured his fourth individual state title in February, becoming the 45th wrestler in Oklahoma history to accomplish the feat. He also capped off his career at Stillwater High School as the fifth wrestler to post an undefeated and untied record with a mark of 140-0.
The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, 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 award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.
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.
The Central Region, Midwest Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region and West Region winners will be announced on April 26 and the national winner will be announced on May 3.
Hughes joined current Cowboy wrestlers, Zach Blankenship, Konner Doucet and Daton Fix as winners of the award.
A Stillwater native, Hughes captured his fourth individual state title in February, becoming the 45th wrestler in Oklahoma history to accomplish the feat. He also capped off his career at Stillwater High School as the fifth wrestler to post an undefeated and untied record with a mark of 140-0.
The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, 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 award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.
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.
The Central Region, Midwest Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region and West Region winners will be announced on April 26 and the national winner will be announced on May 3.
Hughes joined current Cowboy wrestlers, Zach Blankenship, Konner Doucet and Daton Fix as winners of the award.
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