Graphic courtesy of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
On Monday, April 5, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the winners of both the Division II Wrestler of the Year and Rookie Wrestler of the Year awards in each of the six regions that comprise the Division II circuit.
"It is an honor on behalf of the NWCA and our Board of Directors to recognize these two wonderful student-athletes. Under difficult conditions as a result of COVID-19, these young men demonstrated a tremendous amount of grit and not only persevered but excelled," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director, in the NWCA's official release.
NWCA DIVISION II WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
The NWCA is proud to announce the NWCA Division II Wrestler of the Year is Kameron Teacher from St. Cloud State University.
Teacher, a Redshirt Senior from Grove City, Ohio, who competes at 285 pounds, completed his season with a perfect 13-0 record and was named one of six NWCA Division II Super Regional Wrestlers of the Year.
Teacher's impressive 2021 season was highlighted by winning the 285 Division II National Title and, in doing so, secured St. Cloud State's third consecutive NCAA Division II Team Championship. Teacher is now a four-time All-American with national finishes of 1st, 3rd, 2nd, & 2nd.
https://twitter.com/SCSUHUSKIES_WR/status/1370950387583311872
SUPER REGION WRESTLER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Super Region 1 - Luke Martin, Fairmont State University
Super Region 2 - Isiah Royal, Newberry College
Super Region 3 - James Wimer, University of Findlay
Super Region 4 - Ryan Vasbinder, McKendree University
Super Region 5 - Kameron Teacher, St. Cloud State University
Super Region 6 - Fred Green, Colorado Mesa University
NWCA DIVISION II ROOKIE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
This year's NWCA Division II Rookie Wrestler of the year is Zach Ryg of Upper Iowa University.
The Plymouth, IA native, finished his redshirt freshman campaign with a 12-1 record and was named one of six NWCA Division II Super Regional Rookie Wrestlers of the Year.
The 2021 season saw Ryg, a 197-pound wrestler, win the Super Regional Title and capture NWCA All-American honors with his third-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships.
NWCA DIVISION II COACH OF THE YEAR
Costanzo, who just finished his 15th season at the helm of the St. Cloud State program, led the Huskies to their third straight national team title and tenth consecutive NSIC crown. Under his watch, the team also placed first at the 2020-21 NCAA DII Regional championships. During the undefeated season (5-0 in the NSIC), Costanzo coached five individual regional title winners and sent eight wrestlers to the NCAA championships. As a team, this SCSU squad now owns an NCAA DII record 69 dual match win streak, dating back to January 14, 2017.
SUPER REGION ROOKIE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Super Region 1 - Roland Mills, Mercyhurst University
Super Region 2 - Christian Small, King University
Super Region 3 - Logan Bailey, University of Indianapolis
Super Region 4 - Cory Peterson, McKendree University
Super Region 5 - Zach Ryg, Upper Iowa University
Super Region 6 - Joseph Reimers, University of Nebraska, Kearney
ABOUT THE NWCA
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling. The NWCA places a primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The three core competencies of the NWCA are as follows: Coaching Development, Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Promotion of Wrestling.
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