Four University of Iowa wrestlers—Drake Ayala, Ryder Block, Angelo Ferrari, and Patrick Kennedy—were named 2026 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division I Scholar All-Americans, according to an April 1 announcement.
The recognition highlights the academic and athletic achievements of student-athletes in college wrestling. The NWCA awards this honor to those who excel both on the mat and in the classroom.
To qualify as a NWCA Division I Scholar All-American, a student-athlete must meet specific criteria: have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and be an All-American; have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be a National Qualifier; or maintain at least a 3.5 GPA while representing their team at the conference tournament or winning at least sixty percent of their matches.
Since Tom Brands became head coach in 2006, Iowa wrestlers have received sixty-eight NWCA academic honors.
The complete release from the National Wrestling Coaches Association can be found on nwcaonline.com.