2025 Walt Landers Wrestling
Scholarship Award
[May 21, 2025]
The Lincoln Area Wrestling Booster Association is pleased to
announce that Dawson McConnell and Piper Graber have been awarded
the 2025 Walt Landers Wrestling Scholarship. Each recipient will
receive $1,000 to apply toward their tuition as they prepare to
attend their respective colleges this fall.
Dawson’s wrestling career began in 2015 in Nebraska. In sixth grade,
he and his family moved to Illinois, where he joined the Lincoln
Junior High School wrestling program while attending Zion Lutheran
School. As a member of the LJHS wrestling team, he was an IESA State
Qualifier in 2020; however, the State Finals were canceled due to
COVID-19.
In high school, Dawson was selected First Team All-Conference three
times. He was a two-time IHSA State Qualifier, placing 4th his
junior year. Dawson broke two team records during his career: most
career wins with 161 (previous record: 158) and most career pins
with 100 (previous record: 97), both previously held by Austin
O’Donoghue. He also holds the team record for most pins in a season
with 33. Dawson was awarded the Most Valuable Wrestler Award for the
2024–2025 season. He will continue his wrestling career at the
University of Wisconsin–Platteville, where he plans to study
Horticulture and Business.
Piper Graber served as a statistician for the wrestling team from
her sophomore through senior year. She was also a member of the
soccer team, earning Academic All-Conference honors for the past two
years. In addition, she was active in Student Government and a
member of the National Honor Society. Piper plans to attend the
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign this fall to study
Biology.
[to top of second column] |
The Walt Landers Wrestling Scholarship is available
to any senior wrestler, statistician, or manager involved in the
Lincoln Community High School Wrestling program. Candidates must
have three or more years of experience within the LCHS wrestling
program to be eligible. Additional requirements include a minimum
2.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) after 7 semesters, letter of
recommendation, and plans to attend college or trade school
following graduation.
For more information about the Walt Landers Wrestling Scholarship or
to inquire about donating, please contact Brandy Bean at
1-309-716-5751 or thenavybeans@yahoo.com
[Lincoln Youth Wrestling]
|
