The organization typically announces All-Academic teams in Divisions I, II, III and the NAIA, but for the first time, a Division I true freshmen listing will be in affect with the rules the same as for the other All-Academic Teams.
Six wrestlers have met the Division I criteria.
Wrestlers must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total schedule – and must have competed in at least 60 percent of said schedule. The other way to qualify for the All-Academic team is have a 3.0 cumulative and been an NCAA All-American.
Those All-Academic members are Torsten Gillespie of Edinboro (3.63 GPA), Trevor Hall of Cal State-Bakersfield (3.35), A.J. Kissel of Purdue (3.32), Colt Sponseller of Ohio State (3.2), Casey Thome of Army (3.35), and Ethan Headlee of Pittsburgh (3.6).
"With so much emphasis on the importance of the Academic Progress Rate (APR), we feel it's important to put another viable statistic in hands of the wrestling coaches to keep and entrench their programs," said NWCA Mike Moyer.
The NWCA believes true freshman being thrust into immediate starting roles was a reason for this award.
"The first year of college is so important, not just for wrestling, but for the student," explained Moyer. "Many college freshmen are still adjusting to the lifestyle, the course work and the freedom. Wrestlers, like our six All-Academic representatives, have all those struggles on top of trying to maintain a spot in the starting line-up at some of the most competitive programs around."
Gillespie, the younger brother of 2006 NCAA Champion Gregor Gillespie, is majoring in Computer Science, while Kissel is working towards a degree in Landscape Horticulture & Design. The remaining four are still undecided on majors.
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