MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association released its 2018-19 academic awards on Thursday, April 4, recognizing eight LIU Post student-athletes as All-Academic Team members, while also tabbing the Pioneers as the second-best academic squad in Division II.
LIU Post compiled a 3.4283 team GPA to earn the Scholar All-American Team distinction. The Pioneers fell just behind Maryville University who led the nation with a 3.5558 GPA. The Green and Gold boast the highest GPA in Super Region I.
Along with the team awards, eight individuals earned All-Academic accolades for the second-consecutive season. 212 student-athletes from 41 institutions earned recognition, including two National Champions with 157-pound champion Matt Malcom from Nebraska-Kearney and 174-pound title winner Connor Craig of Wheeling Jesuit. A total of 30 student-athletes who earned All-American honors at the 2019 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships earned All-Academic honors as well.
According to the NWCA, in order for a student-athlete to be nominated to the Division II All-Academic Team, he must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, with that benchmark at 3.25 for those who qualified for the 2019 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships and 3.0 for those who earned All-American status for the 2019 season. The athlete must also have competed in a minimum of six dates of competition.
The following LIU Post student-athletes received All-Academic accolades: