CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – After thrilling runs to NCAA titles, NC State’s Isaac Trumble and Stanford’s Aden Valencia headlined the 2025-26 Atlantic Coast Conference wrestling awards as Co-Wrestlers of the Year. Valencia added another major honor as ACC Freshman of the Year, while Stanford’s Chris Ayres earned ACC Coach of the Year recognition after a historic season for the Cardinal.
ACC Co-Wrestler of the Year: Isaac Trumble, NC State
Dominant all season long, Trumble closed out his Wolfpack career with a flawless 21-0 record and a statement victory on the national stage. The heavyweight standout took down top-ranked Yonger Bastida of Iowa State, 5-0, to claim the 285-pound national championship on March 21.
A two-time All-American and 2026 ACC Champion, Trumble was as consistent as he was commanding—going 14-0 in duals, a perfect 6-0 in ACC action and an unblemished 11-0 against ranked opponents. His bonus-point production included five pins, three tech falls and six major decisions. The four-time NCAA qualifier and 2023 U23 World Champion leaves Raleigh as one of the most decorated wrestlers in program history.
ACC Co-Wrestler of the Year & ACC Freshman of the Year: Aden Valencia, Stanford
The redshirt freshman delivered one of the most thrilling moments of the NCAA Championships, outlasting top-seeded Shayne Van Ness of Penn State in an 8-5 sudden victory to capture the 149-pound national title. In doing so, Valencia became the first freshman in Stanford history to win an NCAA crown and the program’s first champion since 2021.
Valencia finished 21-7 overall, peaking at the perfect time with a seven-match winning streak through the ACC and NCAA Championships. He racked up 13 wins over ranked opponents and played a pivotal role in Stanford’s surge to a runner-up finish at the ACC Championships and a sixth-place showing at nationals.
ACC Coach of the Year: Chris Ayres, Stanford
In his third year leading the Cardinal, Ayres guided Stanford to a runner-up finish at the ACC Championships and a program-best sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. His efforts were recognized nationally, earning NWCA Division I National Tournament Coach of the Year honors.
Stanford delivered a historic performance in Cleveland, producing four All-Americans—Valencia (149), Tyler Knox (133), Nico Provo (125) and Angelo Posada (197)—and totaling 67.5 team points, the highest in program history.
Stanford’s momentum began in the postseason, with five finalists at the ACC Championships and individual titles from Jack Consiglio (141) and Daniel Cardenas (157).
The ACC champion and runner-up in each weight class earned All-ACC honors following the 2026 ACC Wrestling Championships.
2025-26 ACC Wrestling Individual Awards
ACC Co-Wrestler of the Year: Isaac Trumble, NC State
ACC Co-Wrestler of the Year: Aden Valencia, Stanford
ACC Freshman of the Year: Aden Valencia, Stanford
ACC Coach of the Year: Chris Ayres, Stanford
All-ACC Team
125 pounds – Eddie Ventresca, R-Sr., Virginia Tech
125 pounds – Nico Provo, R-Jr., Stanford
133 pounds – Aaron Seidel, Fr., Virginia Tech
133 pounds – Tyler Knox, R-So., Stanford
141 pounds – Jack Consiglio, R-Fr., Stanford
141 pounds – Luke Simcox, R-Fr., North Carolina
149 pounds – Collin Gaj, Fr., Virginia Tech
149 pounds – Koy Buesgens, R-So., NC State
157 pounds – Daniel Cardenas, R-Jr., Stanford
157 pounds – Ethen Miller, Gr., Virginia Tech
165 pounds – Bryce Hepner, Gr., North Carolina
165 pounds – Mac Church, R-So., Virginia Tech
174 pounds – Matty Singleton, R-Jr., NC State
174 pounds – Sergio Desiante, R-Jr., Virginia Tech
184 pounds – Jaden Bullock, Gr., Virginia Tech
184 pounds – Jake Dailey, R-Fr., North Carolina
197 pounds – Sonny Sasso, R-So., Virginia Tech
197 pounds – Angelo Posada, Fr., Stanford
285 pounds – Isaac Trumble, 6th, NC State
285 pounds – Dayton Pitzer, R-Jr., Pitt