AAU Wrestling Names 2023 National Award Winners
06/28/2023
Thank you to everyone who makes AAU Wrestling one of the best sports there is. Here are the winners of the 2023 AAU National Awards
By: Mike Newbern
AAU Wrestling Person of the Year
Rob Pilcher of Nebraska has been very important in developing girls wrestling and international travel teams of the AAU. He led the delegation of AAU boys Freestyle and Greco, and girls Freestyle teams to the World International School Federation last year in Normandy France. Rob is currently organizing this year’s trip to the ISF Worlds in Rio de Janeiro.
AAU Coach of the Year
Charlie runs the Morris Fitness Center in Atlanta Georgia. Charlie has produced many youth champions that have gone on to greater success in high school and college. Charlie is also the founder of “Charlie’s Angels”, girls wrestling programs throughout the south. After receiving his award an emotional Charlie said, “I am very honored, growing up there were drugs everywhere killing people and wrestling saved my life, wrestling was the way out.”
Folkstyle Official of the Year
Scott Smith was named Folkstyle Official of the Year. In 1988 Scott graduated from Seneca Central High School as a New York Section V Champion. His high school record was 114-14-1, which was unmatched for 25 for years. After high school he served in the Marine Corps as a tank commander in the Gulf War and then came home to a wrestling official in New York. He later moved to Florida and has been an official for high school and for many different organizations. Upon receiving his award the always entertaining Scott said, “If you hang around long enough, they got to give you something!” Needless to say, he brought the house down!
Sustained Performance Person of the Year
Lisa Gorder of Montana has been a true leader of youth wrestling for many years. She has been particularly effective her work as the wrestling committee’s Media Chair. She can always be found taking photos and interviewing wrestlers and coaches, especially at the AAU’s local and national tournaments. Lisa and her husband Shane have been working diligently for years developing wrestling at all levels in Montana and across the country.
Pairing Master of the Year
Dale Bradford of the Southeastern District has become an essential part of pairing brackets for national tournaments including the Spring Youth Nationals, Elementary Duals, and Scholastic Duals. Dale noted that he has survived the tutelage of John Salter, “but I’m not as ornery.”
Friends of AAU
An all-encompassing wrestling equipment company and sponsor of the Scholastic Duals in Orlando has been a strong supporter of the AAU the past few years and looks to do more in the future.
District Person of the Year
Jason Loyd is the epitome of the Energizer Bunny of girls wrestling in the AAU. Jason works tirelessly developing teams, tournaments, promotions on social media and camps, not only in Iowa but across the USA. Jason was elected as the AAU’s first Girls Chairman in the last election cycle. According to Jeff Koontz, “You couldn't of have hired a more experienced and better person for the director position. This guy puts in the work day in and day out. Not a single moment goes by that Jason is not thinking of ways to better the girls AAU wrestling league.”
Jason Loyd of Iowa is truly deserving of this honor.
AAU Wrestling Person of the Year
Rob Pilcher of Nebraska has been very important in developing girls wrestling and international travel teams of the AAU. He led the delegation of AAU boys Freestyle and Greco, and girls Freestyle teams to the World International School Federation last year in Normandy France. Rob is currently organizing this year’s trip to the ISF Worlds in Rio de Janeiro.
AAU Coach of the Year
Charlie runs the Morris Fitness Center in Atlanta Georgia. Charlie has produced many youth champions that have gone on to greater success in high school and college. Charlie is also the founder of “Charlie’s Angels”, girls wrestling programs throughout the south. After receiving his award an emotional Charlie said, “I am very honored, growing up there were drugs everywhere killing people and wrestling saved my life, wrestling was the way out.”
Folkstyle Official of the Year
Scott Smith was named Folkstyle Official of the Year. In 1988 Scott graduated from Seneca Central High School as a New York Section V Champion. His high school record was 114-14-1, which was unmatched for 25 for years. After high school he served in the Marine Corps as a tank commander in the Gulf War and then came home to a wrestling official in New York. He later moved to Florida and has been an official for high school and for many different organizations. Upon receiving his award the always entertaining Scott said, “If you hang around long enough, they got to give you something!” Needless to say, he brought the house down!
Sustained Performance Person of the Year
Lisa Gorder of Montana has been a true leader of youth wrestling for many years. She has been particularly effective her work as the wrestling committee’s Media Chair. She can always be found taking photos and interviewing wrestlers and coaches, especially at the AAU’s local and national tournaments. Lisa and her husband Shane have been working diligently for years developing wrestling at all levels in Montana and across the country.
Pairing Master of the Year
Dale Bradford of the Southeastern District has become an essential part of pairing brackets for national tournaments including the Spring Youth Nationals, Elementary Duals, and Scholastic Duals. Dale noted that he has survived the tutelage of John Salter, “but I’m not as ornery.”
Friends of AAU
An all-encompassing wrestling equipment company and sponsor of the Scholastic Duals in Orlando has been a strong supporter of the AAU the past few years and looks to do more in the future.
District Person of the Year
Jason Loyd is the epitome of the Energizer Bunny of girls wrestling in the AAU. Jason works tirelessly developing teams, tournaments, promotions on social media and camps, not only in Iowa but across the USA. Jason was elected as the AAU’s first Girls Chairman in the last election cycle. According to Jeff Koontz, “You couldn't of have hired a more experienced and better person for the director position. This guy puts in the work day in and day out. Not a single moment goes by that Jason is not thinking of ways to better the girls AAU wrestling league.”
Jason Loyd of Iowa is truly deserving of this honor.
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