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.

No NCAA Division III wrestler was more dominant during the 2025-26 season than Chip Guzman of North Central.

On Wednesday, Guzman was announced as the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat.

Guzman captured the NCAA Division III national championship at 125 pounds this past season, becoming the fourth North Central men's wrestler to win an individual national title. He was an NCAA runner-up in each of the previous two seasons and third as a freshman in 2023.

The Florida native was dominant all season long. He won tournament titles during the regular season at the Pointer Open, CUW Invitational, New Standard Invitational and North Central Invitational.

In February, Guzman won his third CCIW with a pin and two technical falls. He was named Outstanding Wrestler of the event. Two weeks later, Guzman dominated his competition at the NCAA Division III Region V Wrestling Championships with two technical falls and a first-period pin.

Guzman entered the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the No. 1 seed and overwhelming favorite at 125 pounds.

He started his tournament with a pair of major decisions. In the semifinals, Guzman cruised to a 17-1 technical fall over Eastern's Malik Asfour to earn a spot in the national finals for the third consecutive season. He carried that momentum in the finals where he earned a 19-3 technical fall over Coe's Brayden Parke to become an undefeated national champion at 125 pounds.

Guzman finished the season with a 100% bonus rate. Of his 37 wins, 26 came by technical fall. He also had seven pins and four major decisions.