MANKATO, Minn. — Following a vote from Minnesota State coaches and staff members, senior Darrell Mason has been named the 2022-23 Minnesota State Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
Mason is the seventh wrestler to receive the award and first since Brady Wilson did so back in 2010.
A heavyweight from Chicago, Ill., Mason put together a 39-4 record during his two seasons with the Maverick wrestling team. As a junior during the 2021-22 season, he put together a perfect 22-0 record as he went on to win the NCAA Championship. He would be named the NWCA and NSIC Wrestler of the Year for his efforts as well.
As a senior he went 17-4, en route to claiming All-American honors with a third-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Championships.
Others nominated for the award include Kenry Atubel (Track & Field), Brendan Furry (Hockey), Alijah McGhee (Football), Ben Schmeid (Cross Country) and Jack Zigan (Baseball).
Minnesota State University Senior Male Medal of Honor
(top senior male athlete of the year)
Year – Recipient – Sport(s)
- 1992-93 – Monte Dufault – Basketball/Baseball
- 1993-94 – Jamie Pass – Football
- 1994-95 – Josh Nelson – Football
- 1995-96 – Tony Kenning – Wrestling
- 1996-97 – John Hebgen – Football
- 1997-98 – Des Christopher – Hockey
- 1998-99 – Troy Szydel – Wrestling
- 1998-99 – Tywan Mitchell – Football
- 1999-00 – Ryan Rettke – Wrestling
- 2000-01 – Matt Petsinger – Wrestling
- 2001-02 – Marty Rosendahl – Cross-country & Track
- 2002-03 – B.J. Abel – Hockey
- 2003-04 – Jared Ziemke – Football
- 2004-05 – Jamel Staten – Basketball
- 2005-06 – Michael Lawrence – Track and field
- 2006-07 – Jim Dilling – Track and field
- 2007-08 – Andy Pickar – Wrestling
- 2008-09 – Marty Wahle – Swimming
- 2009-10 – Brady Wilson – Wrestling
- 2010-11 – Jefferson Mason – Basketball
- 2011-12 – Pat Dockendorf – Baseball
- 2012-13 – Adam Thielen – Football
- 2013-14 – Jason Hoppe – Baseball
- 2014-15 – Nolan Johnson – Baseball
- 2014-15 – Chris Reed – Football
- 2015-16 – Joshua Gordon – Football
- 2016-17 – Myles Hunter – Track & Field
- 2017-18 – C.J. Suess – Hockey
- 2018-19 – Jordan Hart – Baseball
- 2021-22 – Dryden McKay – Hockey
- 2022-23 – Darrell Mason – Wrestling
Check out Mavericks Wrestling at msumavericks.com. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.