CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the wrestling specialty awards for the 2025-26 season on Friday afternoon. The league’s 12 head coaches voted Rider’s Tyler Klinsky as MAC Wrestler of the Year, and Lock Haven’s Sam Gautreau as MAC Freshman of the Year.

MAC Wrestler of the Year: Tyler Klinsky, Rider
Klinsky caps a historic season by earning the conference’s top honor, after claiming All-America status with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships last weekend at Rocket Arena. Seeded at No. 11 at 125 lbs., he went 4-3 at the tournament with wins over Davis Motyka (Penn), Conrad Hendriksen (Oklahoma), Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State), and Dean Peterson (Iowa).

Before his performance in Cleveland, Klinsky went a perfect 18-0 in duals during the regular season, then completed an undefeated run through the 125 lbs. bracket at the conference championship to take the conference title. He was also named the 2026 MAC Wrestling Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler and helped Rider claim its first MAC Championship title on March 7 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Klinsky is the third Bronc to be named MAC Wrestler of the Year, joining Sammy Alvarez (2025) and Jesse Dellavecchia (2021).

MAC Freshman of the Year: Sam Gautreau, Lock Haven
Gautreau completed an impressive dual season, finishing 24-10 overall. The Pottstown, Pa., native went 12-3 in duals and a perfect 6-0 against MAC opponents during the regular season. He placed fourth with a 3-2 record at 184 lbs. at the 2026 MAC Championships and had his tournament run end with a 5-1 loss to No.2 seed Jared McGill (Edinboro).

Gautreau was later selected as the first alternate at 184 lbs. for the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

He is the third Bald Eagle to earn MAC Freshman of the Year honors, joining Tucker Hogan (2025) and Anthony Noto (2022).

For more MAC Wrestling news throughout the season, visit GetSomeMaction.com and follow @MACSports on X, Instagram, and Facebook.