Story by UNK Athletic Communications
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt freshman Zach Ourada has been named the NCAA Division II Rookie of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
A vote of D2 coaches selects this award along with the National Wrestler of the Year. That went to Ty McGeary of West Liberty (W.V.).
Ourada (Omaha Skutt), also tabbed as the Top Rookie in Super Region VI, finished fifth at 125-pounds at the NCAA Division II Championships last month in Wichita. He went 25-7 on the season, winning a regional title and earning first-team All-MIAA honors. Finally, Ourada maintains a 3.89 GPA as an Exercise Science major, qualifying him for the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and making him a MIAA Scholar Athlete.
“Zach does everything the right way in all aspects of his life and is very deserving of this award,” said UNK head coach Dalton Jensen. “The future is bright for Zach, and we look forward to what’s to come from this top-notch student-athlete.”
UNK went 18-4 during the dual season, finished second in the MIAA, won a Super Region VI title and placed third at the NCAA meet. That marked the program’s 22nd consecutive Top 8 finish at nationals.