Stanford University reported on Mar. 31 that its wrestling program received several major awards from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Aden Valencia was named both Co-Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year, while Chris Ayres was recognized as Coach of the Year.
The announcement highlights a successful season for Stanford wrestling, with individual and team achievements being recognized by the conference. The recognition is seen as an acknowledgment of both athletic performance and coaching leadership within the program.
Valencia, who won Stanford’s third individual national title on March 21, became only the fourth Cardinal to be named conference wrestler of the year. He shares this honor with NC State’s Isaac Trumble, who is also this year’s NCAA heavyweight champion. Valencia is also noted as Stanford’s seventh wrestler to earn freshman or newcomer of the year honors and is the first since Shane Griffith in 2020 to win both awards in one season. He finished his season with a team-high 21 wins, including victories over several top-seeded opponents.
Ayres received his fourth coach of the year award in program history after leading Stanford to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships—a new best for the school—and producing four All-Americans. The team also finished second at ACC Championships and qualified eight wrestlers for nationals for a second straight year.
Five other wrestlers—Daniel Cardenas, Jack Consiglio, Tyler Knox, Angelo Posada, and Nico Provo—earned spots on this year’s All-ACC Team due to their performances at conference tournaments. Each athlete achieved significant milestones during their seasons: Cardenas went undefeated against ACC opponents; Consiglio became only the tenth Cardinal freshman to win a conference title; Knox secured multiple NCAA All-America honors; Posada became just Stanford’s second true freshman All-American; and Provo earned his first career NCAA All-America distinction with a historic finish at 125 pounds.
These recognitions underscore continued growth within Stanford’s wrestling program under Ayres’ leadership.
