Three `Runners Earn NWCA Scholar All-American Honors

MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced the 2026 Division I Scholar All-America Awards on Wednesday and three of Cal State Bakersfield's student-athletes earned places on the prestigious list. Richard Castro-Sandoval, Chris Neal, and Santino Sanchez all inked their names among the top wrestling scholar-athletes this season.

The NWCA has annually awarded collegiate wrestlers with Scholar All-American status provided they met at least one of the following criteria:

Must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and earned All American honors in the same academic year.
Must have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and have been a NCAA National tournament qualifier in the same academic year.
Must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and must have won 60% of their total matches in at least 60% of the team's schedule.
Must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and been a participant at the conference qualifying tournament.

Two of the three `Runners have earned the honor multiple times in their careers. 133-pounder Santino Sanchez is a three-time honoree and Chris Neal is a two-time honoree.

From 2006 to 2017, CSUB enjoyed at least one NWCA Scholar All-America honoree, and Bakersfield has now earned the honor in four-straight. Including this trio, CSUB now has a total of 32 Scholar All-Americans since the program began in 1995. Only two `Runners are four-time honorees: Stephen Neal (1996-1999) and Ian Nickell (2013-2016).

~GoRunners.com~

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Richard Castro-Sandoval: 125; 5' 2"; Redshirt Senior

Chris Neal: 184; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; He/Him/His

Santino Sanchez: 133/141; 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Richard Castro-Sandoval
: 5' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: 125

Chris Neal
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; He/Him/His
: 184

Santino Sanchez
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior
: 133/141