Jordan Burroughs (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) has been named the winner of the 2011 John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the first time that Burroughs has won this prestigious award.

The award is named in honor of two-time Olympic champion and four-time World champion John Smith.

Burroughs won a gold medal at 74 kg/163 lbs. at the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in September. It was the top performance of any U.S. wrestler in any style during the event, and it was his first trip to a Senior World Championships. Burroughs was the first U.S. men’s freestyle wrestler to win a World title since Bill Zadick in 2006. His performance helped lead the USA to a third-place team finish at the World Championships.

Burroughs made his first U.S. World Team with a victory at the 2011 World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Okla. in June, defeating Andrew Howe in the championship series in two straight matches. He won his first U.S. Open title in Cleveland, Ohio in April, stopping Nick Marable in the finals, 0-3, 1-0, 3-0.

Burroughs went undefeated in freestyle wrestling during the 2011 year. He won a gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October, one of four U.S. champions in the event. He also won a gold medal at the Ukrainian Memorial International in July.

Burroughs won his match at the Beat the Streets Gala USA vs. Russia dual meet in Times Square in May, beating Aniuar Geduev, 1-0, 2-1.

He leaped right into his first full Senior freestyle season at the conclusion of his final year of college wrestling for the University of Nebraska. In 2011, Burroughs won his second career NCAA title as a senior, becoming the first Cornhusker to claim two NCAA crowns. He received the 2011 Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top college wrestler. Burroughs was also third in the 2008 NCAA Championships, making him a three-time All-American in college.

He placed tenth at the 2008 Junior World Championships.

A native of Sicklerville, N.J., Burroughs was a New Jersey state champion for Winslow Township High School. 

PAST JOHN SMITH AWARD WINNERS AS FREESTYLE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
2011 – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb., Sunkist Kids
2010 – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio, New York AC
2009 – Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill., New York AC
2008 - Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunkist Kids
2007 - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla., Gator WC
2006 - Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo., Gator WC
2005 - Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Sunkist Kids
2004 - Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa, Sunkist Kids
2003 - Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa, Sunkist Kids
2002 - Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa, Sunkist Kids
2001 - Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa, Sunkist Kids
2000 - Brandon Slay, Amarillo, Texas, Dave Schultz WC
1999 - Stephen Neal, Bakerfield, Calif., Dave Schultz WC
1998 - Sammie Henson, Norman, Okla., Sunkist Kids
1997 - Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore., Sunkist Kids
1996 - Kendall Cross, Raleigh, N.C., Sunkist Kids
1995 - Kevin Jackson, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids
1994 - Melvin Douglas, Mesa, Ariz., Sunkist Kids
1993 - Terry and Tom Brands, Iowa City, Iowa, Team Foxcatcher
1992 - John Smith, Stillwater, Okla., Sunkist Kids