Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, mreaker@noctrl.edu 

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Mar. 28, 2023) - Following an impressive season on the mat, the North Central College men's and women's wrestling program's swept The Open Mat Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards, the organization announced on Tuesday. 

The Open Mat announced that women's wrestling senior Yelena Makoyed was named the Wrestler of the Year and Maddie Avila as the Freshman of the year. Makoyed put together another dominant performance on the mat, posting a perfect 28-0 record with a 100% bonus/match termination rate. Makoyed pinned 15 of her opponents this season as well as two-time All-American Cheyenne Bowman of King University in the National Finals. Other than her two forfeits, Makoyed defeated 11 opponents by technical fall, outscoring them 116-0 on the season.

Avila, a Madera, Calif. native, started her first year with the Cardinals at 109-pounds but moved down a weight class halfway through the season. After the switch, she finished as a runner-up at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships and the Region IV Championship while claiming the 101-pound crown at the inaugural College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships. 

Avila entered the National Tournament as the No. 4 seed where she made the semifinals with two decision wins. Avila faced the top-seed, Jessica Corredor of King University, in the semifinals and upset Corredor with a dominant 9-0 decision win to punch her ticket to her finals. 

The Championship bout was a battle of freshman, Avila faced Jenavi Alejandro of Tiffin University for the 101-pound crown and found herself down 3-0 heading into the second period. With a National title on the line, Avila used an aggressive double leg takedown for a four-point swing to take a 5-3 lead and held off Alejandro to become the second wrestler in program history to win a National Title. 

Avila finished her season with a 20-7 record, winning 14 of those matches by decision and posting a .741 winning percentage. Avila will return to the mat on April 14-16 as she will compete at the U20/U23 World Team Trials in Spokane, Wa. 

"What a season for Maddie this year and what a way to end it by winning the national championship. She's earned everything she's gotten. Her 9-0 win in the semifinals over the opponent from King University who had previously beaten her twice truly speaks to her development throughout the season and her self-belief. That win was huge in the team race and huge for Maddie in her trek towards the national crown!" Said head coach Joe Norton.

Two-time National Champion and four-time All-American Robert Precin adds another accolade to his name as he was named the Division III Wrestler of the Year after winning his second consecutive 133-pound National Title. Precin was dominant on the mat once again, posting a perfect 35-0 record with 19 bonus victories. He compiled ten pins, six technical falls and three major decisions this season.

Precin claimed his fourth CCIW title while claiming his third Lower Midwest Regional Title and became the first four-time All-American in program history. At the National Tournament, Precin won his first two matches by falls before defeating Tyler Fleetwood of UW-Eau Claire by a 6-2 decision to earn his spot in the National Finals. Precin would complete his quest for his second title with a 3-1 decision win over Dalton Rohrbaugh of York College (Pa.). 

Christian Guzman finished off an impressive freshman campaign with a third place finish at the National Championship. Guzman split time during the season but head coach Zach Cook gave him the nod before the Regional tournament. Guzman made the most of his opportunity, upsetting fifth-ranked Brady Koontz of Dubuque and second-ranked Zac Blasioli of Millikin to claim the 125-pound regional title.

At the National Tournament, Guzman pinned his way to the semifinals where he faced familiar opponent Blasioli. Guzman held off Blasioli, defeating him 3-2 to move into the second day and earn All-American status. After falling to National Champion Joziah Fry of Johnson & Wales, Guzman bounced back with a 4-0 decision in the consolation semifinals before dominating Jake Craig of Southern Maine to claim third place. 

Guzman finished his first year with the Cardinals with a 32-5 record, he will return to the mat on April 14-16 in Spokane, Wa. at the U20/U23 World Team Trials. 

"Both Robbie and Chip earned these awards by their performance not only at the national tournament, but throughout the entire season! Very excited for them both to receive these postseason awards!" said Cook.

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