COLUMBIA, MO – University of Missouri heavyweight Jarrett Stoner has been named the recipient of the 2025-26 NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award for Division I Men’s Wrestling.
The award, formerly known as the Elite 90, was presented to Stoner this week at the site of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The honor recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 92 championships.
Excellence on the Mat and in the Classroom
A sophomore from Rockwall, Texas, Stoner has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in Health Sciences. On the mat, the Tiger heavyweight proved he belongs among the nation’s best. After a grueling postseason run, Stoner secured a 5th-place finish at the Big 12 tournament to punch his ticket to the national championships.
To be eligible for the Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in academic and athletic standing and a member of the active roster at the championship site. With women’s wrestling becoming a fully sanctioned NCAA championship sport this season, the award was recently rebranded from the “Elite 90” to the “Elite Scholar-Athlete Award” to reflect the growing number of sponsored sports.
A Rare Standard of Achievement
Winning the award puts Stoner in an elite category of student-athletes who balance the physical demands of Division I wrestling with unparalleled academic discipline. The NCAA uses a straight grading scale to determine the winner, counting only credits earned at the current institution to ensure a level playing field among all universities.
Stoner’s achievement marks a significant milestone for the Mizzou Wrestling program and the Southeastern Conference, highlighting the University of Missouri’s commitment to developing true “student-athletes.”
As a sophomore with a national podium finish already under his belt and a perfect academic record, the future remains incredibly bright for the Rockwall product in both the wrestling arena and the medical field.
