Olivet College wrestling team receives NWCA Scholar Team Award

The Olivet College wrestling team has finished as the runner-up in the annual academic championship in collegiate wrestling, which is sponsored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Olivet's team grade point average (GPA) of 3.497 ranked second-best among 93 Division III schools.

This is the third time since the inception of the award in 1998 that that the Comets have placed second in the standings. In addition, it is the sixth time that Olivet has been in the top 10. Williams (Mass.) College finished as the national academic champions with a 3.528 GPA. Other traditional national academic powers in the top 10 included New York University (4th, 3.477), Messiah (Pa.) College (5th, 3.465), Case Western Reserve (Ohio) University (8th, 3.438) and the University of Chicago (10th, 3.379).

In addition, junior Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) and sophomore Sean Misko (Richmond) were named to the individual NWCA Scholar All-American team with GPAs of 3.81 and 3.66, respectively. Vanderhyde received the honor for the second straight year. To be elgible for this award, a wrestler must have at least a 3.2 GPA, place in the top six at his respective regional tournament and have sophomore standing.

Top 10 NWCA Scholar Teams
1. Williams (Mass.) College 3.528
2. OLIVET COLLEGE 3.497
3. Coe (Iowa) College 3.481
4. New York University 3.477
5. Messiah (Pa.) College 3.465
6. Heidelberg (Ohio) College 3.453
7. University of Wisc.-LaCrosse 3.443
8. Case Western Reserve (Ohio) University 3.438
9. Wartburg (Iowa) College 3.387
10. University of Chicago 3.379