COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— After going 4-0 with a pair of wins over nationally-ranked opponents at last week's National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals, Colorado Mesa University redshirt sophomore Dawson Collins was named as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's Wrestler of the Year, it was announced by conference officials on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Collins, a returning all-American at 125 pounds, defeated 2-time defending NCAA Division II National Champion and 4-time all-American Cole Laya of West Liberty in the Mavs' first dual last Friday and claimed another sudden victory win over fifth-ranked and returning national qualifier Jaxson Rohman of Augustana in the Mavs' 20-19 team win over the Vikings on Saturday to cap his weekend.
 
In between, Collins pinned Fort Hays State's Kevin Honas and claimed a 4-0 win over Ashland's Tyler Masters.
 
Tuesday's RMAC Wrestler of the Week honor is Collins' second such career plaudit.  He had also earned the honor on Feb. 8, 2022 and went on to earn RMAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-RMAC honors during a 26-5 redshirt freshman campaign that resulted in a fifth place finish at last year's NCAA Division II National Championships.
 
The Mavericks are off this week but will return to the mats next week competing in duals at Northeastern Junior College and Chadron State College on Jan. 18 and 19, respectively.