Freshman wrestler Zach Sanders has been named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team in the 125-pound weight class.

Sanders received the first-team selection over Central Michigan’s Scotti Sentes, Virginia Tech’s Jarrod Garnett, Wyoming’s Michael Martinez, Bucknell’s Derek Reber, and Hofstra’s Steve Bonanno.

Sanders finished the season out strong with a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Tournament and fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Sanders came within a victory of reaching the 40-Win and plateau, finishing the 2008-09 campaign with a 39-10 overall record and 5-3 mark in the Big Ten.  He also totaled 79 points during dual meet competitions.

Sanders is expected to once again be the Gophers’ top wrestler at 125 pounds as a sophomore and should compete for the Big Ten and NCAA titles in his weight class.