STANFORD, Calif. – True freshman Daniel Cardenas has been tabbed the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year, the conference announced today.
The Pac-12 champion at 157 pounds, Cardenas is the seventh Stanford wrestler to be named the conference's Newcomer of the Year. He was just the ninth Cardinal freshman to win an individual conference title, helping Stanford to a runner-up finish at the Pac-12 Championships.
A native of Arvada, Colorado, Cardenas was 24-3 overall and 5-0 in duals during his rookie campaign. He advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships, reaching the Round of 12 in Tulsa. His 24 wins were the second-most on the team, which included nine wins by bonus points and four over ranked opponents.
Arizona State's Brandon Courtney was named Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year, while Cal Poly's Jon Sioredas earned Coach of the Year recognition.