Zach Ryg is the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Wrestling Rookie of the Year. The final award following the 2020-21 season was awarded on Monday along with the NWCA Division II Wrestler of the Year honor that went to St. Cloud State University's Kameron Teacher.

Upper Iowa Head Wrestling Coach Heath Grimm said, "As a coach, you hope that your athletes get what they earn. Zach Ryg earned this prestigious recognition. He brings his lunch pail to every single workout from preseason to postseason and lives by the mantra 'Grinders Grind'. Zach, his hometown, our program and our University couldn't be prouder of his efforts and we are all extremely excited about his future!"

The prestigious award comes after Ryg was named the Northern Sun Conference 2020-21 Rookie of the Year and All-NSIC First Team thanks to the dominant first season in Peacock blue and white for the 197-pounder.
 
Ryg, a redshirt freshman, did not wrestle last season due to injury and completed the year with a 12-1 record, an All-American honor, a third-place national finish and a regional championship. He posted three bonus-point wins including one win by fall and two major decisions.
 
The Plymouth, Iowa closed out his impressive first season with a 12-7 decision in the third-place match to finish his run at the NCAA Division II Championships with a 3-1 record. His lone loss came to the NCAA Champion, Ryan Vasbinder of McKendree University, at 197 pounds and is the only mark on an otherwise perfect season.