The Pac-12 announced today the 2024-25 Pac-12 wrestling postseason awards, as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Cal Poly’s Zeth Romney was named Wrestler of the Year, Cal State Bakersfield’s AJ Ferrari was named Newcomer of the Year, and Little Rock’s Neil Erisman was named Coach of the Year.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Zeth Romney, R-So., Cal Poly, 133 (Simi Valley, Calif.)
Zeth Romney earned Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year acclaim after an impressive 2024-25 campaign that saw him finish third at the NCAA Championships at 133 pounds, having won five total matches at the National Meet including a victory by 7-3 decision in the third-place bout against Wisconsin’s Zan Fugitt. Romney put together a 19-5 record in dual matches this season and became Cal Poly’s fourth all-time All-American at 133 pounds and first since Boris Novachkov in 2010. He was also the runner-up at 133 at the Pac-12 Championships.
Romney became the second Mustang in program history to earn Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year honors, as Chad Mendes (141) secured the honor in 2008.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: AJ Ferrari, R-So., Cal State Bakersfield, 197 (Allen, Texas)
AJ Ferrari of Cal State Bakersfield earned Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors after a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Ferrari picked up All-America acclaim and became the highest-placing Roadrunner at the National Meet since two-time national champion Stephen Neal in 1999. His third-place finish was sealed with a victory over No. 1 Jacob Cardenas (Michigan), picking up a 2-0 decision. Ferrari ultimately finished his first season with Cal State Bakersfield with a 21-1 record – his 95.5% winning percentage tied for 10th best in program history.
Ferrari is the third-ever Roadrunner to earn Newcomer of the Year honors, joining Bryce Hammond (2013) and Brandon Halsy (2007).
COACH OF THE YEAR: Neil Erisman, Little Rock
Neil Erisman was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the second-straight year after leading Little Rock to a 17-3 record and the Pac-12 Dual Meet title. Erisman led the Trojans to four individual titles at the Pac-12 Championships, with Nasir Bailey and Jordan Williams ultimately earning Co-Wrestler of the Meet honors. Erisman also produced five NCAA qualifiers (Bailey, Williams, Matty Bianchi, Joseph Bianchi, and Stephen Little) and led the Trojans to a 17th-place finish and 22.5 points overall. Little and Matty Bianchi earned All-America accolades.
Erisman is the first Pac-12 coach to earn back-to-back Coach of the Year awards since Zeke Jones won in 2017 and 2018.
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