MOUNT PLEASANT - Junior Ben Bennett was named the Chick Sherwood Award winner as Central Michigan's most valuable wrestler at the wrestling program's postseason awards banquet on Sunday.

Bennett, a three-time NCAA All-American, wins the award for the second time in three seasons. He was 34-6 overall in 2012, his first season competing at 184 pounds. Bennett was dominant in his first season at the weight class, posting 27 bonus-point victories en route to a Mid-American Conference championship and sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors. He also finished runner-up at the Midlands Championships.

Bennett also was recognized for leading the team in near-falls, falls and team points.

The Harry Richards Coaches Award went to junior 157-pounder Donnie Corby. After missing nearly a month of action early in the season, Corby rebounded to win the 157-pound title at the MAC Championships and earn his second straight trip to the NCAA Championships.

Sophomore 125-pounder Joe Roth was tabbed the Chippewas' Most Improved Wrestler. In his first season in the starting lineup, Roth won the MAC title at 125 pounds and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the conference tournament. Roth led the team in victories, finishing the season 35-9 overall, including 18-2 in dual meets. He also finished sixth at the Midlands Championships.

Roth also was recognized for leading the team in takedowns.

True freshmen Zach Horan and Mike Ottinger shared the Freshman of the Year award. Horan wrestled in just one conference dual meet, but won a wrestleoff prior to the conference tournament and went on to win the 133-pound MAC title and finish one victory shy of All-America honors at the NCAA Championships. Ottinger spent most of the season as the Chippewas' starter at 165 pounds, posting a 23-10 overall record and winning the conference championship. Horan and Ottinger became the first true freshman teammates in school history to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Lucas Smith was recognized as CMU's Redshirt/Open Wrestler of the Year. Smith, a true freshman, posted an overall record of 32-8 while competing unattached at 157 pounds during his redshirt season. He claimed tournament titles at the Eastern Michigan Open (freshman/sophomore division) and Edinboro Open. Smith also finished third at both the Alma College Open and Simonson Open, fourth at the Cleveland State Open and won three matches at the Midlands Championships.

CMU was 14-9 overall in dual meets before claiming its 11th straight conference tournament championship in 2012. CMU placed 24th as a team at the NCAA Championships, and Bennett's All-America finish marked the 10th straight season CMU produced at least one All-American.