COSTA MESA -- The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released its 2022 Individual Scholar-Athlete All-Americans Monday, with Vanguard landing three honorees.  There were 99 individuals selected across all NAIA programs, with 35 schools represented.  You can read the NWCA release Here.

Ricky Padilla (SR/Azusa, CA) posted a 3.82 GPA in his graduate program for education to land on the list for the second time as a Lion.  Padilla also finished second at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament in the 165-pound level, getting an all-conference nod in the process.  He then went out and finished fourth at the NAIA National Tournament, becoming an NAIA All-American for the second time and finishing his career at VU with a 23-6 record overall.  Padilla was joined on the list by fellow classmate Armon Fayyazi (SR/Irvine, CA), who recorded a 3.71 GPA.  This is the third time that Armon has received this accolade, the most so far in the reborn wrestling program. Fayyazi won the first VU CCC title this year at 174-pounds before he earned All-American status for the third time in his career at the NAIA Tournament, placing seventh and finishing his career with a 44-14 record.

Baron Gaunt (FR/Torrance, CA) had a 3.65 GPA this year in his continued pursuit of a kinesiology degree.   The 184-pound wrestler made the NAIA Tournament after finishing third at the CCC Tournament.  Gaunt proceeded to go 2-2 at the NAIA Tournament and will be back with the program next season with sights aimed at a second VU CCC crown.

"These guys are leaders on and off the mat and they are fantastic individuals across the board.  They are exactly the type of people we want here at VU, those who excel on the mat and in the classroom while being servant-leaders to those around them," said Head Coach Caleb Flores.