BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – For the second straight season, Bridgewater State University senior Zachary Bates has been selected as a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Scholar All-American.

A native of Leyden, Massachusetts, Bates posted a 32-7 overall record this past season with 81 takedowns, 25 escapes, ten near falls and seven pins.  The senior economics major and mathematics minor currently sports an impressive 3.65 grade point average.

In order to be eligible for the award, a wrestler must have carried a 3.2 grade point average for a full academic year, posted a .670 winning percentage during the season, and competed in at least 50% of the season's matches.

Bates earned All-New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) honors by placing second in the 174-pound weight class at the NEWA Championships.  He also earned a national wild card and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time in his career.

Bates was chosen as the Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) Wrestler of the Year as he helped the Bears capture a share of the PWL title with a 4-0-1 league mark in dual meets.  He was also named a PWL First Team All-Star as well as a Scholar-Athlete All-Star.

Bates finished his career at Bridgewater State with 101 wins as he ranks seventh all-time in the BSU wrestling record books.