Muhlenberg junior Matt Loesch received the Sidney G. Weikert Sophomore Athlete of the Year Award for his performance during the 2004-05 academic year.

Loesch was honored as part of the College’s Homecoming Weekend festivities last Saturday. In the picture at left, he is congratulated by the President of Muhlenberg College, Randy Helm, and his wife Pat.

The annual award recognizes athletic achievement with accompanying campus contribution and strong academic record. It was established in 1973 by the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association in memory of the late Sidney G. Weikert, a loyal alumnus and former associate director of admissions at Muhlenberg.

Loesch put together the best season ever by a Muhlenberg wrestler as a sophomore, earning All-America honors by finishing fourth at 197 pounds at the NCAA Division III Championships. He had a record of 30-5, improving his two-year career record to 55-10, and won the Centennial Conference title for the second year in a row. He also finished second in tournaments at King’s, Ursinus and Messiah.

Loesch, who joined the Muhlenberg football team for the 2005 season and has played in two games as a reserve fullback, was named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll as a double major in business administration and psychology last year. He also is a member of Student Council and the church choir.