(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.) - Thomas More University Wrestling senior
Zach Watson (Verona, Ky. / Walton Verona) received the Elite 26 Award on Saturday (January 31st).
The Elite 26 Award recognized the true essence of the student-athlete at the conference championship level in his or her sport while also achieving the highest academic standard among his peers. Introduced in 2020-21, the Elite 26 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA participating from a conference championship-qualifying program for each of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's 26 championship events.
The honorees must be actively able to compete at the finals site, of sophomore eligibility and in at least their second year with their current institution. Each institution is permitted to nominate one eligible student-athlete per sport during the awards process that is mirrored specifically to the NCAA's Elite 90 Award.
Zach Watson is a senior biology major. He holds a 3.945 cumulative GPA. During the 2025-26 season, he has appeared in eight meets this season, including an 8th place finish at the G-MAC Championships.
