West Liberty’s McGeary Named MEC Male Athlete of the Year

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference continues to roll out their annual awards for the 2023-24 season this week with the announcement of the MEC Male and Female Athlete of the Year honors on Thursday afternoon. Representing West Liberty University is Ty McGeary who was voted by league administrators and the conference office as the 2023-24 MEC Male Athlete of the Year. It marks the fourth consecutive year and sixth overall that a Hilltopper has earned the accolade after Bryce Butler won the honor back-to-back years in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Dalton Bolon won the honor in 2020-21, and Seger Bonifant won back-to-back years in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

McGeary’s 2023-24 resume continues to grow having won the NCAA Division II National Championship, NCAA Division II Super Region III Championship, and MEC Championship at 184 pounds, and was recognized as the NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year, NCAA Division II Super Region III Wrestler of the Year, and the MEC Wrestler of the Year. He completed his quest for back-to-back titles in Park City, Kansas, in March with a victory over No. 3 Matt Weinberg of Kutztown by a 9-1 major decision, sealing a perfect 33-0 record. He was just one of three champions at the DII level to finish the year with an unblemished mark. He also found himself in the mix for NWCA’s DII Most Dominant Wrestler, finishing second in the standings with 24 bonus point victories and was also eighth in NWCA’s Falls Leaders with ten pins. Additionally, McGeary has brought in a trio of academic honors following the completion of the year as he became a 4-time NWCA Scholar All-American, a 2-time CSC Academic All-District selection, and a 2-time MEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection.

Previous Winners

2014-15: Seger Bonifant (Basketball, West Liberty)

2015-16: Seger Bonifant (Basketball, West Liberty)

2016-17: Matt Bingaya (Basketball, Fairmont State)

2017-18: Thomas Vancaeyezeele (Soccer, Charleston)

2018-19: Will Vorhees (Basketball, Notre Dame)

2019-20: Jaleel McLaughlin (Football, Notre Dame)

2020-21: Dalton Bolon (Basketball, West Liberty)

2021-22: Bryce Butler (Basketball, West Liberty)

2022-23: Bryce Butler (Basketball, West Liberty)

2023-24: Ty McGeary (Wrestling, West Liberty)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.