MANHEIM, PA- The 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Wrestler of the Year is Ty McGeary of West Liberty, with Zach Ourada of Nebraska-Kearney being named the 2024 NCAA Division II Rookie of the Year, announced Tuesday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) after a vote of the Division II Coaches.
McGeary, the 2024 DII National Champion for the second season in a row at 184 pounds, was 33-0 on the season. He was also runner-up in the final Most Dominant Wrestler standings, the Super Region 3 Champion, and recorded 24 bonus point wins on the year.
"What an honor for Ty to receive, he had an incredible year where I believe he only surrendered one takedown all season," West Liberty Head Coach Danny Irwin said. "Him earning this honor is great for wrestling as a whole too, as Ty embodies being a student-athlete as a double-major in cyber security and accounting. The best thing about him is that he is an amazing person who has God at the center of his life."
McGeary was voted the Division II Men's Wrestler of the Year from the following list of Super Regional finalists:
- Super Region 1: Jacob Ealy, Pitt-Johnstown
- Super Region 2: Gabe Hixenbaugh, Montevallo
- Super Region 3: Ty McGeary, West Liberty
- Super Region 4: Derek Blubaugh, Indianapolis
- Super Region 5: Nick Novak, St. Cloud State
- Super Region 6: Cody Thompson, Colorado School of Mines
Ourada, representing Super Region 6 and the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney, finished fifth at 125 pounds at the Division II National Championships. Also the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Rookie of the Year, Ourada closed out the season at 25-7 and was also the Super Region 6 champion at 125.
"Zach does everything the right way in all aspects of his life and is very deserving of this award," Nebraska-Kearney Head Coach Dalton Jensen said. "The future is bright for Zach and we look forward to what's to come from this top-notch student-athlete."
The six Super Regional finalists for Rookie of the Year were:
- Super Region 1: Layton Schmick, East Stroudsburg
- Super Region 2: Avery Buonocore, UNC-Pembroke
- Super Region 3: Luke Acuna, Ashland
- Super Region 4: Evan Binder, Maryville
Super Region 5: Brody Hemaur, UW-Parkside
- Super Region 6: Zach Ourada, Neb.-Kearney
The awards season continues in the coming weeks with the announcement of the NWCA Division II Scholar All-American honorees.
