May 3, 2005
Release courtesy of Dave Blanchard, Luther College sports information director

DECORAH, IOWA . . . Garrett South, a Luther College senior from Cumberland Iowa, has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He is the 26th Luther student-athlete to receive the honor. The scholarship carries a $7,500 award for postgraduate study.

The NCAA annually awards 170 postgraduate scholarships to outstanding student-athletes throughout the nation. Student-athletes must have the equivalent of an overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for nomination. Other criteria include performance with distinction in a varsity sport, the intention to pursue educational opportunities beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full- or part-time graduate student, and behavior on and off the field in a manner that brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics.

South, a management, math and statistics major, has a cumulative GPA of 3.78. An outstanding Luther wrestler, South completed his career as a four-time national-meet qualifier and three-time All-American. He was crowned the 2005 national champion at 165 after posting a season record of 37-5. He was the national runner-up at 165 in 2004 and placed fourth at 157 in 2003. His career win-loss record of 127-32 ranks second all-time on the Luther history books. South, one of just six Luther wrestlers to win three Iowa Conference titles, also holds the Norse career mark for falls with 58. As a freshman he was named the Iowa Conference most valuable performer.

"As a freshman, I had two major goals for my college career here at Luther " stated South. "The first was to win a national title and the other was to earn a NCAA postgraduate scholarship. I am truly a lucky individual to accomplish both of those goals prior to leaving Luther. I would like to thank my professors, coaches, teammates, and family for helping me to accomplish so much. Without them, none of this would have been possible."

South, a 2001 graduate of C & M High School, is the son of Ryan and Carol South of Cumberland.

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