Mike Grey named 2008 Rev Freshman of the Year

Mike Grey made a name for himself in high school by becoming the first-ever four-time state champ in New Jersey. In his first year of college competition, the Cornell University 133-pound starter enhanced his reputation even further, becoming a first-year All-American at the 2008 NCAAs, and earning Rev Freshman of the Year honors for 2008.

Each year, this award is given to the nation's top freshman wrestler across all divisions of college competition, and is determined by a vote of RevWrestling.com writers and executives. Grey joins previous Rev Freshman of the Year honorees Dustin Schlatter of the University of Minnesota in 2006, and Iowa State's Jake Varner in 2007.

Mike Grey received three of the seven first-place votes for a total of 53 votes. Cornell teammate Mack Lewnes, who placed fourth at the 2008 NCAAs at 165 pounds and was named EIWA Freshman of the Year, came in second with 49 votes (including three first-place votes). Michigan's 141-pounder Kellen Russell earned third-place honors with 31 votes (including one first-place vote). Kirk Smith, Boise State's 184-pound starter, finished fourth in the voting with eleven votes, while Iowa State's 165-pound Jon Reader rounded out the top five with ten votes.

Grey had a stellar freshman season at Cornell, getting a team-high 42 wins and leading the team with victories by major decision (15). He was 13-1 in dual-meet competition. He won the Brute Binghamton Open, and was a finalist at the Body Bar Invitational, Nittany Lion Open, and the Southern Scuffle. Grey placed third in the EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) conference championships, and, two weeks later, garnered All-American status by placing sixth in the 133-pound weight class at the 2008 NCAA Division I Championships. In addition to winning 2008 Rev Freshman of the Year honors, Grey was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year, and earned a place on the All-Ivy First Team.

"Great things had been expected of Mike Grey right from the start," said Andrew Hipps, senior writer at RevWrestling.com. "He earned a place in the history books by being the first four-time state champion in New Jersey. He's made a smooth transition to collegiate wrestling. With Mike Grey, Mack Lewnes, Troy Nickerson, Jordan Leen, and Steve Anceravage leading the charge, look for Cornell to be in the national title hunt for seasons to come."

Launched in October 2005, RevWrestling.com covers all aspects of amateur wrestling, including high school, all divisions of college wrestling, freestyle and Greco-Roman competition, and grappling, as well as mixed martial arts. The Web site, located at www.RevWrestling.com, provides wrestling fans with timely wrestling news coverage, along with unique content features such as Rev Rankings, exclusive athlete profiles, Q&As, Rev Rewind historical articles and profiles of legendary wrestlers and coaches, and hard-hitting analysis of major issues affecting amateur wrestling.