Clarksville, Ark.-Junior wrestler Nathan Rankin capped the 2019-2020 season with Division III Second Team All-America honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association, it was announced Tuesday.

Rankin, a native of Plano, Texas, wrestling at 125 pounds qualified for the NCAA III National Tournament and posted an overall record of 25-4. During the 2019-2020 season, Rankin won the Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational 125-pound division. Rankin guided the Eagles to a runner-up finish at the Southeast Conference Championships by winning the 125-pound individual title. He was named the conference's Most Outstanding Wrestler and was a First Team All-Conference honoree. He has now won three straight conference titles. Rankin becomes the program's first All-American.

"Nathan's All-America honor is a testament to his hard work and dedication on the mat,"  said head coach LeRoy Gardner. "Nathan is a prime example of what focus and determination can lead to. He gave everything he had to wrestling this year. We are grateful to be a part of his growth and excited for his future.  He is a good person and exceptional student-athlete. He is the type of student-athlete we want within our program."

Each year the NWCA recognizes the outstanding work of the DIII Student-athletes by naming the All-Americans based on their achievements in the national championship, however, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the championships were cancelled. All-American honors were based on each wrestler's overall body of work through the regional tournaments and up to the national championships.