CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the wrestling specialty awards for the 2025 season. As voted on by the league’s 13 Head Wrestling Coaches, Rider’s Sammy Alvarez was named MAC Wrestler of the Year, while Lock Haven’s Tucker Hogan was named MAC Freshman of the Year. 

MAC Wrestler of the Year: Sammy Alvarez, Rider
The prestigious conference award comes at the end of Alvarez’s journey to All-American status, culminated by his seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling National Championships last weekend in Philadelphia, PA. As the No.11 seed, Alvarez finished with a 4-1 record en route to earning All-American status. The Garfield, NJ native won three consecutive matches, including a faceoff with former Oklahoma State teammate Jordan Williams (Little Rock), in the 149-lb. consolation bracket to end his career on the podium.

Before his run on the national stage, Alvarez entered the 2025 MAC Wrestling Championships as the No. 1 seed in the 149-lbs. bracket with an undefeated conference dual record. He was a perfect 4-0 in Trenton, NJ to claim his first MAC Individual title on March 8.

Alvarez is the second Bronc to earn MAC Wrestler of the Year honors, following Jesse Dellavecchia (2021).
 
MAC Freshman of the Year: Tucker Hogan, Lock Haven
Hogan earned an at-large bid for the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as a freshman after going 22-6 during his first collegiate season for the Bald Eagles. The Douglasville, PA native was an integral part in Lock Haven’s 2025 MAC East Division title and MAC Championship title run. Hogan was the No. 1 seed in the 197-lb. bracket where he went 2-0 to earn a spot in the title match, but fell in a narrow 7-4 decision to Rider’s Brock Zurawski.

Hogan is the second Bald Eagle to earn MAC Freshman of the Year honors, following Anthony Noto (2022).
 
For more MAC Wrestling news throughout the season, visit GetSomeMaction.com and follow @MACSports on X, Instagram, and Facebook.