Wenstrom Wins Title of 2020 FAU Baseball Iron Owl

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Jackson Wenstrom is the 2020 winner of the Florida Atlantic University baseball Iron Owl, marking the third straight season that a new incoming outfielder has taken the title in the program's prestigious offseason competition.

All-time Iron Owl winners

2008 – Lou Morey

2009 – Lou Morey

2010 – Alex Hudak

2011 – Ahmed Garcia

2012 – Kevin Alexander

2013 – Kevin Alexander

2014 – Cody Mizelle

2015 – Seth McGarry

2016 – Billy Endris

2017 – Austin Kirksey

2018 – Cody Wilson

2019 – Bobby Morgensen

2020 – Wenstrom

Wenstrom, a junior college transfer from Hudson Valley Community College originally hailing from Mandan, North Dakota, won three individual events – garage run, bench press and obstacle course – while finishing third in the swim and sixth in the gauntlet. He finished with a score of 208 to just outdistance fellow newcomer Charlie Concannon (201). Finishing third through fifth were catcher Nicholas Toney (196.5), shortstop Wilfredo Alvarez (195.5) and outfielder Mitchell Hartigan (177). The 2019 Iron Owl, Bobby Morgensen, was a point outside of the top five at 176.

"The whole Iron Owl event was a great way to end the fall," said Wenstrom. "Everyone gets to compete for their team and give everything they have. It was a very competitive atmosphere. I'm just happy I was able to help our team out and was excited with the outcome!"

On the team side, captain Francisco Urbaez's squad held off Dylan O'Connell's by the slimmest of margins – just a half-point – 37 to 36.5. A win in the final day's event, the obstacle course, gave Team Black – made up of Urbaez, Brycen Allen, Alvarez, Jacob Josey, Steven Loden and B.J. Murray – the overall team victory. The six captains this year leading their respective squads were Urbaez, O'Connell, Dylan Carter, Morgensen, Ryan Sandberg and Andru Summerall.

"Jackson did fabulous in all aspects of the Iron Owl – speed, strength, academics, written test – very proud of him," said head coach John McCormack. "I love watching the competition and love seeing how it unfolds. Every year, there's a new wrinkle to it. We're already thinking of next year's; we're going to do it a little bit differently next year, so stay tuned."

Wenstrom is expected to make his FAU debut in centerfield in just under a month's time, as Opening Night of the 2020 campaign will take place Friday, Feb. 14 vs. Delaware. The Owls and Blue Hens will face off in a three-game weekend set at FAU Baseball Stadium to lift the lid on the program's 40th season. For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit HERE.

ABOUT FAU BASEBALL'S IRON OWL COMPETITION
The Iron Owl award is a competition that debuted prior to the 2008 preseason. The goal is the encouragement of team camaraderie, while at the same time making sure each individual player understands what is like to compete on a daily basis. It is the program's aim that each player reaches their highest potential in the classroom, on the field and in the weight room. The award identifies the strongest Owl baseball player – both mentally and physically. In addition to team and individual competitions (including box run, garage run, bench press, squats, water polo, swimming, a gauntlet and an obstacle course), off the field, each player's GPA from the fall semester is also factored in.

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Players Mentioned

Brycen Allen

Wilfredo Alvarez

Dylan Carter

Charlie Concannon

Mitchell Hartigan

Jacob Josey

Steven Loden

Bobby Morgensen

B.J. Murray

Dylan O'Connell

Ryan Sandberg

Andru Summerall

Nicholas Toney

Francisco Urbaez

Jackson Wenstrom

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