Men's Wrestling | 4/3/2026 10:30:00 AM

Manheim, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced its NCAA Division II Men's Scholar All-America awards for the 2025-26 season, and Gannon placed 12 student-athletes on the national list.

The NWCA Scholar All-America program recognizes student-athletes for their success both on the mat and in the classroom. This year, a total of 433 wrestlers from 64 of the nation's 71 Division II programs earned recognition.

Gannon's 12 honorees were Logan Sallot (Erie, PA/McDowell High School), Carter Beck (Meadville, Pa./Saegertown), Jake Niffenegger (Mason, Ohio/La Salle), Jacob Wright (Arnold, Md./Mount Saint Joseph), TJ Allison (Canonsburg, Pa./Trinity), Connor Saylor (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory), Grant MacKay (New Castle, Pa./Laurel), Dillon Walker (Mason, Ohio/Mason), Kellen Buggey (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), Patrick Jackson (Harpers Ferry, WV/Spring Mills High), Joey Lyons (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), and Dorian Crosby (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep).

Among the group, Sallot, Niffenegger, Wright, and Crosby each earned their second career NWCA Scholar All-America honor.

Sallot, Crosby, Patrick Jackson (Harpers Ferry, WV/Spring Mills High), and Joey Lyons (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) were recognized under the Mike Moyer criteria, awarded to wrestlers who earned All-America honors at the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championships while maintaining at least a 3.00 grade point average.

Niffenegger and Wright earned their distinction through academic excellence, meeting NWCA Scholar All-America standards based on grade point average and competition criteria.

Award criteria for the Scholar All-America team require student-athletes who earned All-America honors at the NCAA Division II National Championships to post a cumulative 3.00 grade point average, national qualifiers to register at least a 3.25 GPA, and those who competed in four or more individual duals during the season to achieve at least a 3.50 GPA.

The Golden Knights were equally impressive in the classroom, highlighted by four student-athletes who posted perfect 4.0 grade point averages: Sallot, Wright, Joey Lyons (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), and TJ Allison (Canonsburg, Pa./Trinity). Connor Saylor (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) followed closely with a 3.98 GPA, while Carter Beck (Meadville, Pa./Saegertown) (3.81), Kellen Buggey (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) (3.80), Jake Niffenegger (Mason, Ohio/La Salle) (3.74), and Dorian Crosby (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) (3.71) also delivered strong academic performances. Grant MacKay (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) (3.66), Dillon Walker (Mason, Ohio/Mason) (3.62), and Patrick Jackson (Harpers Ferry, WV/Spring Mills High) (3.12) rounded out the group.

Nebraska-Kearney led all Division II programs with 19 Scholar All-Americans, while McKendree and Colorado Mesa followed with 15 selections apiece.

This year's national Scholar All-America class included 165 multiple-time honorees and 51 student-athletes who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA.

"These student-athletes have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence both on the mat and in the classroom," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "We commend their dedication and the example they set for the sport."

The NWCA Academic Scholar Team awards will be released on Friday, April 3.

Gannon's NWCA NCAA Division II Men's Scholar All-Americans

Logan Sallot (Erie, PA/McDowell High School) – Redshirt Sophomore – 125 – Pre-Law
Carter Beck (Meadville, Pa./Saegertown) – Freshman – 133 – Computer Science
Jake Niffenegger (Mason, Ohio/La Salle) – Redshirt Junior – 141 – Intelligence Studies
Jacob Wright (Arnold, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) – Senior – 141 – Business
TJ Allison (Canonsburg, Pa./Trinity) – Freshman – 149 – Business
Connor Saylor (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) – Redshirt Sophomore – 149 – Electrical Engineering
Grant MacKay (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) – Redshirt Sophomore – 165 – Criminal Justice
Dillon Walker (Mason, Ohio/Mason) – Graduate – 174 – Education
Kellen Buggey (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) – Freshman – 184 – Business
Patrick Jackson (Harpers Ferry, WV/Spring Mills High) – Redshirt Sophomore – 184 – Business
Joey Lyons (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) – Graduate – 197 – Business
Dorian Crosby (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) – Graduate – 285 – Education