MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – After winning the 285 LB bracket at the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship on Saturday, becoming the first Bobcat in St. Thomas University Men's Wrestling history to bring home the gold medal at the Conference Championship, Gage Cook was named the 2026 AAC Newcomer of the Year.

Advancing through day one of the tournament behind victories over Ja'Quavlan Daniels from Brewton-Parker and Jonatan Argueta from Montreat, Cook earned his spot in the Finals behind a 3-2 overtime triumph over Caleb Pruitt from Reinhardt before besting Jordan Sommers from Keiser 4-2. Cook entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and ranked 19th in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Cook and Ghee Rachal, who finished third in the 197 lb division, advance to the NAIA National Championship.