Oklahoma State wrestler Sergio Vega was named the recipient of the 2026 Hammer Award by Amateur Wrestling News, according to a March 30 announcement. The award is given each year to the national champion in what is considered by AWN writers as the most competitive weight class at the NCAA Championships.
The recognition highlights Vega’s performance in a season where he competed at 141 pounds and went undefeated, finishing with a record of 24-0. Notably, he did not give up a single takedown throughout the season. Vega became only the third Oklahoma State wrestler to earn this honor, following Dean Hamiti Jr., who won last year at 174 pounds, and Alex Dieringer in 2016.
The competition at this year’s NCAA Championships included several All-Americans such as Jesse Mendez, Brock Hardy, Nassir Bailey, Luke Stanich, Anthony Echemendia, Vance Vombar, CJ Composto and Braeden Davis. In his run to the title, Vega defeated two-time defending champion Jesse Mendez with a score of 4-1 in sudden victory. He also overcame All-Americans Nasir Bailey from Iowa and Brock Hardy from Nebraska on his way to securing first place.
Vega’s achievement was further marked by becoming one of two undefeated true freshman national champions this season—alongside teammate Jax Forrest—a feat that had not been accomplished since 1947.
Oklahoma State now leads all programs with three Hammer Award recipients and is currently the only team to have wrestlers win it in consecutive years.
