May 25, 2006
Two of Columbia's best and brightest wrestlers, co-captains Jeff Sato and Dustin Tillman, have been chosen for the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team.
Sato, a senior from Pismo Beach, Calif., compiled a 3.406 grade point average through the Fall 2005 semester as a biology major, while Tillman, a junior majoring in political science, compiled a 3.845 GPA as a political science major. Tillman comes from Fremont, Calif.
Both have excelled on the mat. Sato is a two-time NCAA Qualifier and three-time EIWA placewinner at 125 pounds. He completed his Columbia career in March with a fifth place in the EIWA Championships, after winning the 2005-06 New York State Championships (for the second time) and placing second in the East Stroudsburg Open.
Sato led the Lions this season with a 23-11 record which included five major decisions. In three varsity seasons, he won 84 matches while losing just 35.
Tillman returned to Columbia last fall following a two-year religious mission, and picked up where he had left off. He compiled a 14-11 record against grueling competition as the Lions' leading 165-pound wrestler, winning nine dual matches, second-best on the team. Tillman posted four falls and two technical falls, and was a runner-up in the New York State Championships. He improved his career record to 48-33.
