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Cornell University Athletics

The Cornell Big Red wrestling team competes in the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships in PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA on March 21, 22 and 23, 2019.
Tony Rotundo/Cornell Athletics

Wrestling

Diakomihalis Unanimously Repeats as EIWA Top Wrestler

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Sophomore Yianni Diakomihalis has unanimously been named the EIWA Wrestler of the Year for the second straight season after capping his 2019 off with an NCAA title at 141 pounds for Cornell.

A finalist for the Hodge Trophy as the nation's most outstanding college wrestler, Diakomihalis capped off a 29-0 season with a 6-4 win over No. 2 seed Joey McKenna of Ohio State in sudden victory in the NCAA finals for his second straight national title. The two-time Ivy League Wrestler of the Year and unanimous first-teamer was chosen as the EIWA Most Outstanding Wrestler en route to his second Eastern crown. He concluded his campaign with a 47-match win streak dating back to his freshman campaign. His .985 win percentage (66-1) ranks No. 1 on the school's all-time list. In all, 17 of his wins came by bonus points. 

Dating back to high school, Diakomihalis has won 276 of his last 277 matches (.996) and has avenged the lone loss, a 9-6 last-second defeat at the hands of Missouri's Jaydin Eierman, three times since - including in the 2018 and 2019 NCAA semifinals.

Diakomihalis is the fourth Cornellian to earn EIWA Wrestler of the Year multiple times, joining Travis Lee (2003 and 2005), Kyle Dake (2012 and 2013) and Gabe Dean (2015 and 2016).

 
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Players Mentioned

Kyle Dake

Kyle Dake

165
5' 9"
Senior
Gabe Dean

Gabe Dean

184
5' 10"
Senior
2015, 2016 NCAA Champ
Yianni Diakomihalis

Yianni Diakomihalis

141
5' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kyle Dake

Kyle Dake

5' 9"
Senior
165
Gabe Dean

Gabe Dean

5' 10"
Senior
2015, 2016 NCAA Champ
184
Yianni Diakomihalis

Yianni Diakomihalis

5' 6"
Sophomore
141