Story courtesy of Rider's Athletic Communications Department

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University wrestling graduate student Tyler Klinsky has been honored as the 2025-26 Rider University Clair Bee Male Athlete of the Year. Klinsky earned NCAA All-America honors at 125 pounds, finishing eighth at the NCAA Championships, and was named the MAC Wrestler of the Year.

Klinsky closed out his final campaign with a 30-6 overall record, including a perfect 18-0 mark in dual meets. He captured the 125-pound title at the MAC Championships, bonus-pointing his way through the bracket while earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. At the NCAA Championships, Klinsky went 4-3, battling through a loaded consolation bracket to secure All-American status. His run featured bonus-point victories over No. 22 Davis Motyka (Penn), No. 21 Conrad Hendriksen (Oklahoma), a pin of No. 3 Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State), and a decisive win over No. 8 Dean Peterson (Iowa) in the blood round to clinch an eighth-place finish, the first All-American honor of his career. He also became Rider Wrestling's 22^nd All-American and the 11^th in the last 12 seasons.