MANHEIM, Pa. – On Wednesday afternoon, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced their Scholar All-American Awards. Among the list of 418 honorees, five Falcons were selected.
Hayden Benner (285 lbs.),
Austin Brass (174 lbs.),
Clay Gainer (157 lbs.),
Ryder Slayton (184 lbs.), and
Levi Snyder (149 lbs.) were the five that represented the Falcons.
Â
Hayden Benner (285 lbs.)
Hayden Benner was the starter for the Falcons this year for the second year in a row. Benner was 25-16 during his senior campaign, picking up five falls and 48 takedowns on the year. The Youth Ministry major has a cumulative GPA of 3.73 in his time here as a Falcon.
Â
Austin Brass (174 lbs.)
The junior fell into the starting lineup this season and performed well for the Falcons. Brass wrestled 43 matches this season picking up 71 takedowns. The history major finished the season 28-17 and helped the Falcons with 114 team points. In his time at Messiah, Brass has an overall GPA of 3.74.
Â
Clay Gainer (157 lbs.)
Clay Gainer started as a backup at 157 lbs. but found himself in the starting lineup in the post-season to fill in a spot at 165 lbs. The sophomore finished his season 31-18 picking up 68 takedowns, eight falls, and 15 nearfalls. The Applied Health Science major has a cumulative GPA of 3.37 in his two years at Messiah.
Â
Ryder Slayton (184 lbs.)
Ryder Slayton had a stellar junior season making the National Tournament for the first time in his career. Slayton was a strong force for the Falcons in the lineup this season wrestling in 52 matches. The junior picked up 55 takedowns and 36 near falls, finishing his season as a National Qualifier with a 36-16 overall record. The Canisteo, N.Y. native has a cumulative GPA of 3.19 as a Mechanical Engineer major. Â
Levi Snyder (149 lbs.)
The first year for the Falcons had a standout opening season. In 29 matches, Snyder had 42 takedowns, 33 escapes, and three falls. A 19-11 overall record would round out the first season for the Accounting major. Snyder has an overall GPA of 3.40 in his first year at Messiah.
Â
The Falcons as a team finished in 26th place, putting them in the top 30 of the NCAA Division III Team Scholar All-America with a team GPA of 3.5090.
Â
The Falcons have had at least one Scholar All-American every year since 1998.
