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Audrey Jimenez named NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year; Jimenez and Lillian Gradillas-Flores named Scholar All-Americans

By Andy Morales

Posted on March 25, 2026

Former Sunnyside standout Audrey Jimenez was named NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).

Jimenez, the 2026 NCAA National Champion at 110 pounds, is a freshman for Lehigh. According to the release, Jimenez closed out her season with an unblemished 22-0 record en route to her national title, including taking a Region 2 championship as well. Jimenez earned her region award last Friday from the NWCA.

“Audrey is an awesome kid,” Lehigh head coach Brazel Marquez said in the release. “She is very selfless, very humble, and very hard working. She has an incredible drive to be a top academic student as well.”

In addition, former Mountain View standout Lillian Gradillas-Flores earned an NAIA Women’s Scholar All-American Award for her studies at Southern Oregon. Gradillas-Flores is an NAIA national champion. Jimenez was also named an NCAA Scholar All-American.

This list will be updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who have gone on to win either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but collegiate and professional recognition. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know. amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com

Portions from news release.

Audrey Jimenez/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Lehigh
Super Region 2 Champion (2/21)
USA Wrestler to Watch (3/5)
NCAA All-American (3/6)
NCAA National Champion (3/7)
NCAA Outstanding (3/7)
NCAA Most Dominant (3/7)
NCAA Scholar All-American (3/13)
NCAA Region 2 Wrestler of the Year (3/20)
NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year (3/24)

Lillian Gradillas-Flores/Wrestling
Mountain View/Southern Oregon
NAIA National Duo star performer (1/14)
Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion (3/1)
NAIA Scholar All-American (3/13)
NAIA National Champion (3/14)
NAIA All-American (3/14)

Sergio Vega/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Oklahoma State
Big 12 Champion (3/7)
NCAA All-American (3/20)
NCAA National Champion (3/21)

Isaiah Hill/Basketball
Pueblo/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (1/22)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/5)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Year (3/2)
ACCAC D-II Freshman of the Year (3/2)
Region First Team (3/2)
Best Small Man Award (320)

Anthony Echemendia/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Iowa State
NCAA All-American (3/21)

Michael Masunas/Football
Sabino/Texas
Texas Football Student of the Week (3/13)

Owen Kramkowski/Baseball
Walden Grove/Arizona
Big 12 Preseason Team (2/5)
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (3/9)

Danny Knapp/Track and Field
Rio Rico/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Tayvien Biancuzzo/Track and Field
Mica Mountain/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Noah Macias/Track and Field
Mica Mountain/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Elizabeth Ugwu/Track and Field
Sahuaro/Pima
NJCAA All-American (3/8)

Brian Peabody/Basketball
Sahuaro/Pima Coach
ACCAC D-II Coach of the Year (3/2)

Dylan Arvayo/Track and Field
Mountain View/Colorado Springs
RMAC Indoor Heptathlon Champion (2/28)

Bryce Cotton/Basketball
Palo Verde/Adelaide 36ers
NBL MVP (2/23)
NBL26 Three Pointer Award (2/23)
Adelaide MVP (2/27)
Members’ Choice Award (2/27)

Bria Medina/Basketball
Salpointe/Knox
Midwest Conference Player of the Year (2/26)
Midwest Conference First Team (2/26)

Kylee Callahan/Basketball
Salpointe/Knox
Midwest Conference 2nd Team (2/26)