Taylor Massa on the way to a 2009 Cadet National Greco-Roman title. John Sachs photo

STILLWATER, Okla. – Taylor Massa, a high school senior from St. Johns High School in St Johns, Michigan, has been selected as the national winner of the 2012 Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Award presented by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. 

The High School Excellence Award is named in honor of Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz. Each award recipient is evaluated on excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service. 

"Many great high school wrestlers have been nominated for this award and it gives me great pride and honor to be a part of such a prestigious group,” Massa said.  “Dave Schultz was one of the greatest wrestlers of all times. He changed the sport of wrestling forever. To be presented with his award is a great accomplishment to end my high school career.

“I would like to give a special thanks to my coaches Chris Williams, Pat Whitford, and Zane Ballard and my dad, Roger Massa, for helping me become the wrestler and person I am today."

Massa was selected from the 49 state winners and five regional winners that were announced on April 26. 

Taylor Massa is a four- time Michigan High School State Champion with a record of 231-0 at St. John’s High School in St. John’s, Michigan. He is a two-time USAW Junior FILA National Champion and a 2011 FILA Junior Freestyle World Team member. He claimed four Cadet National titles (two in freestyle and two in Greco-Roman) and was an Asics 2011 High School Team All-American. 

His scholastic and community engagement includes being a member of the St. Johns Renaissance Club, multiple trimester Honor Roll member and Catholic Confirmation Cadet Sponsor. He maintains 3.67 GPA and will attend the University of Michigan this coming fall as a projected 165-174 pounder.

“Taylor Massa is an outstanding recipient of this honor,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “He has balanced his priorities both on and off the mat with a keen sense of purpose in academics, wrestling and his community.”

Massa will attend Honors Weekend on June 1-2 to accept the award. The following is a list of previous award winners:

Dave Schultz High School Excellence National Winners

1996 David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
1997 Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1998 Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appelton, Wisconsin
and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah
1999 Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas
2000 Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
2001 Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey
2002 Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma
2003 C. P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2004 Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
2005 Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York
2006 David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2007 Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellog High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2008 Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
2009 David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio
2010 Logan Steiber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio
2011 Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California
2012 Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan