The Open Mat presents awards annually in three categories for each division of college wrestling at the conclusion of the season. Awards are presented for Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.

King University's Virginia Foard has been named NCAA Women's Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat.

Ford, a native of Reva, Virginia, was two-time Pan American champion and 2023 state champion before arriving at King. As a true freshman, Ford compiled a 27-4 record with 18 technical falls and four falls competing at 123 pounds.

Over the course of the season, Foard picked up many notable wins. At the East Stroudsburg Open, Ford defeated All-Americans Mia Macaluso of East Stroudsburg and Montana Delawder of King on her way to the title. At Senior Nationals in December, Foard kept building momentum with a big win over national champion Carolina Moreno of Southern Oregon on her way to finishing sixth. At the NCWWC National Championships in March, the fourth-seeded Foard teched her way to the national finals, which included a 10-0 win over returning All-American Alexandra Fitzgerald of Sacred Heart before avenging a loss to true freshman star Shelby Moore of McKendree. Foard fell 3-1 to Amani Jones of North Central in the national finals.