Paul Duren of Oklahoma named a regional winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award

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Tony Linville (National Wrestling Hall of Fame)
05/29/2001


Paul Duren of Oklahoma City --- champion athlete, gifted scholar and worthy citizen - is one of the 2001 regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award given by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.    This award is presented annually to five regional winners and is based equally on outstanding wrestling achievement, scholastic achievement and citizenship.  One national winner will be selected from these five regions.  Paul will attend the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors banquet in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on June 2, where the national winner will be announced.    Paul Duren of Del City High School will graduate with a 4.0 GPA and is Valedictorian of his class.  He is a member of the National Honor Society and named Who's Who Scholar.  He received the Del City Academic Letter Jacket and was named an Armed Force Scholar/Athlete.  He was given the Eagle Character Award his junior year.     Duren is a three time State Wrestling Champion, four time Regional Champion, Reno National Champion and named Outstanding Wrestler in the State at the All-State Banquet.  He won the US Open Championship and is ranked #1 in the US in his weight class.  His record is 142-2 with 112 falls.      Duren is a Blue Chip Football player, playing quarterback for 3 years, and he was named to the All-State Football Team.  He was named All Conference in both football and baseball for three years.  At the Del City High School he was voted Offensive Player of the Year in Football and Offensive Player of the Year in Baseball, as well as being named Mr. Wrestling by his peers.  He also lettered in tennis.  Paul was honored at the Oklahoma Headline Banquet as one of three Top Athletes in the State.  He was one of eight finalists for Wendy's High School Heisman Award.    Paul has been active in his community volunteering his time for young athletes at the Del City football, wrestling and baseball camps. He is also active in programs at the Freewill Baptist Church.      Paul Duren will play football and wrestle at Oklahoma State University next year.    There are a total of five regional winners for the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. TheMat.com will announce a new winner each day this week. The national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award will be presented during the Hall of Fame's Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Okla. June 1-2.