ANNVILLE, Pa. (Wrestling) – The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) has announced its yearly major awards for wrestling on Wednesday. Alvernia and Stevens take home honors.
 
Alvernia junior Matt Lackman was named MAC Wrestler of the Year, and Stevens first-year Ryan Smith was named MAC Rookie of the Year. Stevens head coach Joe Favia was named MAC Coach of the Year for the third-straight season.
 
The awards are nominated and voted on by the eight conference wrestling coaches.
 
Lackman won the 2023 MAC and NCAA Southeast Region titles and advanced to the NCAA Championship. The junior advanced to the national final, where he faced his older brother Nathan. Lackman suffered his first and only loss of the season in the national final to finish 2022-23 with a 47-1 record and national runner-up/NCAA All-American honors. He recorded 16 falls, seven technical falls and eight major decisions this season.
 
Smith won the NCAA Southeast Region title after finishing in second place at the MAC Championship. The first-year wrestler earned his way to the second day of the NCAA Championship to earn all-America honors. Smith took eighth place in his first season. He finished the year with a 24-8 record with three falls and one major decision.
 
Favia was named MAC Coach of the Year for the third-straight season after leading the Ducks to third consecutive MAC and NCAA Southeast Region titles. Stevens had five individual MAC Champions, five individual NCAA Southeast Region Champions and four NCAA All-Americans this season. The Ducks finished seventh (49.5 points) at the national tournament.
 

2022-23 MAC Wrestling Awards
Wrestler of the Year: Matt Lackman (Jr.), Alvernia
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Smith (Fy.), Stevens
Coach of the Year: Joe Favia, Stevens