ITHACA, N.Y. - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced the 2020 Division I All-American teams, which includes senior 133-pounder Chas Tucker and sophomore 197-pounder Ben Darmstadt. All-American honors were based on each wrestler's overall body of work through the conference tournaments. Each year the NWCA recognizes the outstanding work of the DI Student-Athletes by naming the All-Americans based on their achievements in the national championship, however, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the championships were canceled.
Both Big Red wrestlers earned first team honors by the NWCA, marking the first All-American designation of Tucker's career and the second for Darmstadt. In total, 80 wrestlers were named First-Team All-Americans, with eight wrestlers chosen from each of the 10 weight classes.
Senior Chas Tucker has been named a First Team All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association following a successful senior campaign that saw him finish the season 32-0. #YellCornell (📸: Eldon Lindsay/Cornell Athletics) pic.twitter.com/oLSDcfAxsb
— Cornell Big Red (@CornellSports) April 17, 2020
Though he didn't get a chance to prove himself once more on the national stage, Tucker concluded his Big Red career with an overall record of 82-18. The native of Worcester, Mass. earned two Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) titles at 133 pounds and was named First Team All-Ivy three times, having never lost during an Ivy League dual (15-0). As a senior, Tucker finished the season 32-0 and was named a finalist for the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded to the nation's most outstanding wrestler. Tucker went 9-0 against ranked opponents as a senior and was set to enter the 2020 NCAA Championships as the #3 seed.
Sophomore Ben Darmstadt was named a First Team All-American by the NWCA on Friday, marking the second All-American honor of his career. Darmstadt finished the year 28-6 and was set to be the #4 seed at the NCAA Championships. #YellCornell ( 📸: Eldon Lindsay/Cornell Athletics) pic.twitter.com/7NyVmUjRAg
— Cornell Big Red (@CornellSports) April 17, 2020
Darmstadt battled adversity through his entire sophomore campaign, missing a chunk of his season to injury. After starting the season at 184 pounds, Darmstadt returned to form at 197, finishing the season with a 15-2 record at his natural weight and 28-6 overall. Darmstadt earned the #4 seed at the 2020 NCAA Championships, entering the field as a two-time EIWA Champion and a two-time First Team All-Ivy selection. As a sophomore, Darmstadt was one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the country, finishing second in Division I with 14 wins by fall and earning 20 wins by bonus points overall. Darmstadt previously earned All-American honors at the 2018 NCAA Championships, placing sixth as a freshman at 197 pounds.