Cornell's Yianni Diakomihalis (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Amateur Wrestling News has named Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell University as its 2018 Rookie Wrestler of the Year, and University of Pittsburgh's Keith Gavin as its 2018 Rookie Coach of the Year, the magazine announced in its May 15, 2018 issue made available to subscribers online this week.
The Big Red's Rookie Wrestler of the Year
In announcing its choice for top first-year college wrestler for the just-concluded season, AWN began by pointing out the prep accomplishments of its honoree: "Our 2018 Rookie of the Year Yianni Diakomihalis was in high school just ten months ago. The Cornell true freshman was one of just seven wrestlers ever to win four New York high school state titles ..." adding that the wrestler they selected compiled a 243-3 record in high school.
For AWN, Diakomihalis' selection isn't just about impressive high school accomplishments. The iconic magazine labels the 141-pound champ's weight class as "one of the toughest at the NCAAs" -- citing Diakomihalis defeat of a pair of Cowboys -- two-time defending champ Dean Heil of Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals, and topping of two-time NCAA runner-up Bryce Meredith of Wyoming in the title match. Amateur Wrestling News also cites the Big Red rookie's 34-1 college record as reason why the oldest national wrestling publication selected Diakomihalis as 2018 Rookie Wrestler of the Year instead of Iowa's Spencer Lee, who just last month received the magazine's Hammer Award "presented to that wrestler who wins what our selection panel feels was the deepest, most competitive weight class at the NCAA tournament."
The Panthers' Rookie Coach of the Year
Keith Gavin was named head coach of the Pitt Panther wrestling program in mid-April 2017, the eleventh in school history. It was a homecoming of sorts for Gavin, who was a two-time EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) champ and twice named EWL Wrestler of the Year for Pittsburgh. After graduation, Gavin gained valuable coaching experience at University of Oklahoma and University of Virginia before returning to take the helm at his college alma mater.
Amateur Wrestling News described Gavin's efforts to turn the Pitt program around in his first year. "The Panthers had concluded 2016-17 with an 11-5 record while falling in the rankings all season. In rebuilding mode this season with five underclassmen, Pitt went 2-3 against ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) rivals but rallied to win the final two (duals) vs. Virginia and Duke. They placed third at the ACCs, highlighted by three individual champs, Pitt's most since the 2014-15 season."
AWN's announcement of Diakomihalis and Gavin as 2018 Rookie Wrestler and Coach of the Year, respectively, came as part of a six-page feature highlighting the magazine's 2018 All-Rookie Team. The May 15 issue includes a list of magazine's selections for the top three first-year college wrestlers in each weight class for this past season ... along with its all-time Rookie Wrestler of the Year honorees going back to 1974, and Rookie Coach of the Year award-winners since 1962.
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