Heath GrayMANHEIM, Pa -- On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the winners of both the Division II Wrestler of the Year and Rookie Wrestler of the Year awards.
"We are proud to honor two very deserving athletes on their outstanding achievements during the 2020 season. They were each selected from a group of highly decorated athletes and should be proud of the manner in which they represented their institutions," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director.
NWCA DIVISION II WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
The NWCA is proud to announce the NWCA Division II Wrestler of the Year is Heath Gray from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Gray, a junior from Chandler, Oklahoma, who competes at 184 pounds, completed his season with a 29-1 record and was named one of six NWCA Division II Super Regional Wrestlers of the Year.
Gray's impressive 2020 season was highlighted by winning the Super Regional Title and securing the No. 1 seed for the NCAA Division II Championships. This followed his sophomore campaign in which he secured All-American honors with a third-place finish at the Division II National Championships. Heath will enter his senior campaign looking to achieve his third All-America honor.
SUPER REGION WRESTLER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Super Region 1 - Andrew Dunn, Kutztown University
Super Region 2 - Isiah Royal, Newberry College
Super Region 3 - Hunter Bray, Notre Dame College
Super Region 4 - Heath Gray, University of Central Oklahoma
Super Region 5 - Nick Baumler, Upper Iowa University
Super Region 6 - Robert Gambrell, Colorado School of Mines
NWCA DIVISION II ROOKIE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
This year's NWCA Division II Rookie Wrestler of the year is Joseph Bianchini of St. Cloud State University.
The Elk Grove Village, IL native, finished his redshirt freshman campaign with a 20-1 record and was named one of six NWCA Division II Super Regional Rookie Wrestlers of the Year.
The 2020 season saw Bianchini, 141-pound wrestler, win the Super Regional Title, earn All-NSIC First Team honors, and capture NWCA All-American honors.
SUPER REGION ROOKIE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Super Region 1 - Jacob Ealey, University of Pitt-Johnstown
Super Region 2 - Josh Blatt, Belmont Abbey College
Super Region 3 - Jared Campbell, Notre Dame College
Super Region 4 - Dalton Abney, University of Central Oklahoma
Super Region 5 - Joseph Bianchini, St. Cloud State University
Super Region 6 - Patrick Allis, Western Colorado University
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 with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: Coaching Development, Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Promotion of Wrestling.
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