UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE ATHLETICS

Madison, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior Dan Laurent of Mishicot (H.S.) has been voted the 2010 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Wrestler of the Year by the league coaches.

Laurent earned his third consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III crown at 285 pounds with a 2-0 victory over John Helgerson of Wartburg College (Iowa) March 6 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He became the third wrestler in school history to win multiple national championships and the second to win three titles. Ryan Allen won the 285-pound crown in 2004, 2005 and 2006, while Josh Chelf captured the 174-pound title in 2007 and 2008.

A four-time WIAC champion at 285 pounds, Laurent compiled a 33-3 record during the 2010 campaign. He became the fourth wrestler in conference history to secure four consecutive 285-pound crowns.  Laurent also won titles at the Pointer Open and Auggie Open in 2009-10 as well as recording a second-place finish at the Pete Willson Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational.

In his career, he amassed a 124-27 mark, including 50 wins by fall. The 124 victories rank seventh on the school’s all-time chart. Laurent went 12-2 in four national tournament appearances.

Laurent was also named the 2010 WIAC Scholar-Athlete in wrestling. Named to the 2008-09 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team, Laurent was also selected to the 2008, 2009 and 2010 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-America Team.

UW-L has had seven individuals combine to win 10 WIAC wrestler of the year trophies.