Luke Stanich Named EIWA Wrestler of the Year

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh sophomore Luke Stanich has been selected as the EIWA Wrestler of the Year for the 2025-26 season by the conference's head coaches. Stanich won an individual EIWA title at 141 and reached the national semifinals in Cleveland before earning his second career All-America honor with a third place finish.

Stanich posted an 18-1 record in his first official season up at 141. The start of Stanich's college season was delayed by an injury suffered while winning a gold medal at the U20 World Championships in Bulgaria in August. Stanich debuted Jan. 10 with a ranked win over Cornell's Vince Cornella and went on to win his first 16 bouts. He won his second career EIWA title with three major decision victories, March 6-7 in Washington, D.C. as Lehigh won its second straight team title and league-leading 40th overall.

At the NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Stanich won his first three bouts, including a victory over over Anthony Echemendia of Iowa State in the quarterfinals to secure his second All-America medal. Stanich suffered his only loss of the season in overtime to Ohio State's Jesse Mendez but came back with two victories on the final day of the season to secure third place.

Stanich's 18 victories included one fall, five technical falls and six major decision. His third place finish was the highest among the EIWA's three All-Americans.

The Roxbury, N.J. native owns a 43-5 career record for the Mountain Hawks. Stanich won an EIWA title and finished fifth at the NCAA Championships at 125 in 2023-24.

Stanich is the sixth Lehigh wrestler since 1998 to win the EIWA Wrestler of the Year award, with a Mountain Hawk claiming the award for the second straight season. Owen Trephan was the EIWA Wrestler of the Year in 2024-25.

The 2025-26 Lehigh wrestling season is presented by the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

Follow Lehigh Wrestling on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 21, 2026 , , 16th, 26.5 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 21, 2026 , , 16th, 26.5 ptts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 20, 2026 , , 16th, 22 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 20, 2026 , , 12th, 22 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 19, 2026 , , 12th, 13 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at NCAA Championships on March 19, 2026 , , 11th, 8.5 pts.

Completed Event: Men's Wrestling at EIWA Championships on March 7, 2026 , , 1st, 163.5 pts.

Lehigh University Athletics

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Luke Stanich

Owen Trephan

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