Wrestling earns NWCA academic honors
Prior to the start of the 2016 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) presented its annual academic awards. For the 17th time in school history, the Olivet College wrestling team has finished in the top 15 of the National Academic Championship.
OLIVET, Mich. – Prior to the start of the 2016 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) presented its annual academic awards. For the 17th time in school history, the Olivet College wrestling team has finished in the top 15 of the National Academic Championship.
With a 3.25 grade point average (GPA), the 2015-16 team placed 13th. To determine the GPA, a coach submits the average cumulative GPA for up to 14 wrestlers on his squad. The 14 wrestlers are the 10 wrestlers who competed at the NCAA Regional qualifying tournament and the four wrestlers with the highest cumulative GPA who did not compete at the regional and participated in at least half of the scheduled competitions during the season.
The 14 members of the 2015-16 Scholar All-American team for Olivet are senior Nicholas Africano, junior Curtis Blackwell, sophomore Jared Brickley, freshman Daniel Collins, freshman Dan Glidden, freshman Tyler Grimsley, senior Thomas Hall, junior Rodney Harvey, junior Jesse Judge, junior Austin Kelley, sophomore Jacob Kinney, freshman Christian Lawhorn, junior Michael Schmidt and junior Kevin Papak.
In addition, Brickley, Hall, Harvey and Kelley earned Individual Scholar All-American honors from the NWCA. Harvey is receiving the honor for second straight season.
To be eligible for this honor, the student-athlete must have a 3.20 or higher GPA and meet one of three criteria: qualify for the NCAA Championships, place in top six at the NCAA qualifier, or win more than 66 percent of matches and wrestle in 50 percent of scheduled dates.