Ryan, Mendez, Davino Win 2026 Big Ten Awards

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After Ohio State took second at the 2026 Big Ten Championships Sunday, the league announced its postseason award winners. The 2025-26 Buckeyes were well represented.

Senior Jesse Mendez was named the 2026 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year while Ben Davino was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Both won Big Ten individual titles Sunday.

Mendez and Davino both earned All-Big Ten First Team honors while redshirt sophomore Ethan Stiles was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Stiles finished second overall at 149.

Tom Ryan, head coach of the Buckeyes, was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Ohio State finished with an 18-1 dual record in 2025-26 and finished second at the league championships with 148.5 points.

BIG TEN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Wrestler of the Year: Jesse Mendez, Ohio State, 141
Freshman of the Year: Ben Davino, Ohio State, 133
Coach of the Year: Tom Ryan, Ohio State
Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships: PJ Duke, Penn State, 157

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Luke Lilledahl, Penn State, 125
Ben Davino, Ohio State, 133
Jesse Mendez, Ohio State, 141
Shayne Van Ness, Penn State, 149
PJ Duke, Penn State, 157
Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State 165
Levi Haines, Penn State, 174
Rocco Welsh , Penn State, 184
Josh Barr, Penn State, 197
Taye Ghadiali, Michigan, 285

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
Jore Volk, Minnesota, 125
Marcus Blaze, Penn State, 133
Brock Hardy, Nebraska, 141
Ethan Stiles, Ohio State, 149
Antrell Taylor, Nebraska, 157
Mikey Caliendo, Iowa, 165
Christopher Minto, Nebraska, 174
Max McEnelly, Minnesota, 184
Camden McDaniel, Nebraska, 197
AJ Ferrari, Nebraska, 285

ATTENDANCE:
Session 1: 13,133
Session 2: 13,186
Session 3-4: 13,226
Total: 39,545

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