Five wrestlers receive SAMMY Awards as outstanding high school senior scholar athletes

Each year, the Milk Mustache campaign announces its "Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year" SAMMY award winners. This award recognizes outstanding scholar athletes in grade 12 in the United States. The 2005 winners were recognized in a two-page spread in the July 11 double issue of Sports Illustrated. Five of 25 honored student athletes were involved in wrestling: JJ Anthony of Ontario, Ore., Brandon Backes of Becker, Minn., Landon Thomas Bergner of Holyoke, Colo., Rawley Burningham of Paguitch, Utah and Louis Caputo of Blue Springs, Mo. Judging is based upon academic performance, athletic excellence, leadership and community service. A panel of celebrity judges chose the winners, featuring Jason Kidd (basketball), Mia Hamm (soccer), Tony Hawk (skateboard), Brad Johnson (football), Michelle Kwan (figure skating) and Andy Roddick (tennis). Each scholar athlete receives a $7,500 college scholarship, an invitation to attend a sports weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and their picture in major national publications such as Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Of the wrestling athletes honored, Caputo has been tremendously successful in USA Wrestling national-level events, winning age-group national titles on the Cadet and FILA Cadet levels, and an All-American honor on the Junior level. WRESTLING SAMMY AWARD WINNERSJJ Anthony, Ontario, Ore. Wrestling (also, football, track) "A+ average, Student Council President, National Honor Society, FFA member." "Canned goods and toy drive volunteer." Brandon Backes, Becker, Minn. Wrestling (also football, track, weightlifting) "A+ average, National Honor Society, Class President." "Peer tutor." Landon Thomas Bergner, Holyoke, Colo. Wrestling (also football, track, swimming) "A+ average, National Honor Society, Class Secretary." "Winter coat drive volunteer, National Jewish Hospital volunteer." Rawley Burningham, Panguitch, Utah Wrestling (also basketball, baseball, golf, track) "A+ average, National Honor Society, Student Council Vice-President." "Volunteer umpire, Bantam coach." Louis Caputo, Blue Springs, Mo. Wrestling (also football) "A+ average, National Honor Society, Class President." "Character Builders volunteer, wrestling coach and referee."