ITHACA, N.Y. – Two days after reaching the pinnacle of his sport, Cornell sophomore wrestler Gabe Dean has been named the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Wrestler of the Year. He becomes the fourth straight Big Red wrestler to capture the award, joining Kyle Dake in both 2012 and 2013 and teammate Nahshon Garrett in 2014.

Dean won his first NCAA title with a perfect three-day run through the 184-pound bracket. The top seed entering the tournament, he ended his second season with a 43-2 overall record and a second EIWA championship and NCAA All-America honor to his name. Dean led the Big Red in wins (43), bonus wins (24), winning percentage (.956) and dual wins (18-0). The 2015 Ivy League Wrestler of the Year and two-time first-team all-leaguer sports an 83-5 career mark. His .935 winning percentage sits third in school history. He ended the year with a 28-match win streak.

Along with winning an EIWA and NCAA championship, Dean won his second straight Southern Scuffle title, a New York State Intercollegiate championship and won his match at the preseason NWCA All-Star Classic. He was a perfect 3-0 at the Journeymen Northeast Duals, was 2-0 at the Grapple at the Garden and 4-0 at the National Duals. Dean helped the big Red win its 13th straight Ivy title, its ninth consecutive EIWA crown, reached the finals at the National Duals and a New York State championship. The Big Red finished third in the NWCA Coaches Poll and fifth at the NCAA championships.