March 13, 2008

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . Three Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) wrestling programs and 17 student-athletes were recognized for their work in the classroom by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) during the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships March 7-8 in Cedar Rapids.

Coe College, which placed fourth at the 2008 NCAA Championships, ranked third among the NCAA Division III Scholar Wrestling Team Top-25 with a 3.4813 grade-point average. The Kohawks trailed only Williams College (3.528) and Olivet College (3.497) on the list. Coe also had four individuals named to NWCA Scholar All-America Team, including 165-pound national champion Tyler Burkle. Other Kohawks honored were Greg Lalla, national qualifier Rob Kramer, and Jared Carder.

NCAA champion Wartburg College ranked ninth with a 3.387 cumulative team GPA and had a league-high six individuals recognized. Junior Aaron Wernimont, the national champion at 157-pounds, and senior Brian Borchers, runner-up at heavyweight, both earned Scholar All-America honors, as did Chris Sandy, Adam Weber, Craig Kreman, and Dustin Jaeger.

Luther College, which placed sixth at last week's Championships, ranked 16th on the NWCA's list with a 3.2706 GPA. Three Norse All-Americans - Travis Grawin (4th at 141-lbs.), Nic Barclay (7th at 133-lbs.), and Alec Bonander (5th at 197-lbs.) were also named Scholar All-Americans.

Also receiving Scholar All-America honors from the NWCA were Buena Vista University's Joey Verschoor and Brian Stueve, Loras College's Jay Figgins, and Simpson College's Geoff Murtha.

For a team to be considered for the NWCA Scholar Wrestling Team award, a coach must submit 10 wrestlers, six of which had to compete in the national qualifying tournament (IIAC Championships). The other four may come from non national qualifying tournament members of the team, but must have competed in at least half of a school's total scheduled competitions of NCAA sanctioned events.

To be eligible for NWCA Scholar All-American honors, a student-athlete must carry a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher or have at least a 3.2 GPA for the previous full academic year and must either 1) be a 2008 national qualifier with a minimum .500 won/loss record, 2) place at a national qualifying tournament (at least sixth for the IIAC) with a minimum .500 won/loss record and have competed in at least 50% of his institution's total scheduled competition of NCAA sanctioned events, or 3) have a minimum .670 won/loss record and have competed in at least 50% of his institution's total scheduled competition of NCAA sanctioned events.

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