The Open Mat presents awards annually in three categories for each division of college wrestling at the conclusion of the season. Awards are presented for Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.

No freshman in NCAA Division II wrestling accomplished more than Christian Davis this past season.

The Lander freshman was a Midwest Classic champion and All-American at 133 pounds.

Davis was tabbed 2025 NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat on Tuesday.

Davis, a native of Arizona City, Arizona, was a co-champion at the Georgia Open in November, his first college wrestling tournament. His opening-round win came over two-time NAIA All-American Andrew Voiles of Southeastern, 7-1.

His major breakout performance in his freshman season came just over a month later at the Midwest Classic, the nation's toughest NCAA Division II regular season tournament. Davis won a Midwest Classic title with a 5-0 performance, which included three bonus-point victories. In the finals, Davis won 8-2 over Reece Barnhardt of UMary. Barnhardt would go on to win the national title at 133 pounds.

Davis started his first postseason at the Super Region II, winning the title at 133 pounds. He posted a 4-0 record, getting bonus points in all four matches. Davis opened with back-to-back technical falls before picking up major decisions in the semifinals and finals.

Seeded No. 2 at the 2025 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, Davis opened his tournament with a 2-0 victory over Lake Erie's Anthony Sagaris and followed it up with a 12-10 win over Ryan Henningson of MSU Moorhead. He dropped his semifinal match in sudden victory to the eventual national champion, Barnhardt. Davis then rebounded from his semifinal loss to win back-to-back matches to place third at 133 pounds.

Davis finished his freshman season with a 34-7 record with a 68% bonus rate.