Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eagles Wrestling Finish Top-10 in NWCA All-Academic Standings
5/10/2016 3:13:00 PM | Wrestling
Redshirt junior Nicholas Barber was named an Academic All-American
NWCA Release
MANHEIM, Pa. (EMUEagles.com) – For the second straight season, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team found itself among the top academic teams in the nation. After finishing with top-honors last year, the Eagles finished with the 10th-highest grade point average throughout the country this season, which was announced yesterday, May 9, by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Specifically, the Green and White finished the 2015-16 season with a team GPA of 3.242, which was the second-highest within the Mid-American Conference. After finishing second last season, Harvard regained the top spot after notching a team GPA of 3.412.
Awarded yearly, the NWCA All-Academic team consists of 123 student-athletes. For the second year in a row, half of the Division I champions made the team, while two additional runner-ups were included. In total, 36 All-Americans were All-Academic selections, which improved from last year's 28.
"One of the rigors of Division I athletics and wrestling specifically are the physical and mental demands," stated NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "It's a testament to our sport that we have academically excelled in a variety of different educational environments. We know how tough the Ivy League schools are and the service academies and research universities all around the country, but to see our wrestling student-athletes thrive in those situations continues to show the value of our sport and the determination these young men have."
The team GPA was determined using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program. A total of 10 of these came from the wrestlers that were entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier.
The Eagles also had one individual earn All-Academic honors, as redshirt junior Nicholas Barber (Cleveland, Ohio – St. Edward) finished the year as a NCAA Qualifier. Barber was the starter at 149 lbs. for EMU in his third year. The redshirt junior went 15-8 during the regular season, including 8-6 in duals and 4-4 in conference. He took third place at the MAC Championships, earning his first ever NCAA tournament appearance. At nationals, Barber won one of his matches in the consolation bracket, knocking off a returning All-American. Barber maintains a 3.76 GPA while majoring in general business.
"The NWCA All-Academic Team and Individual Team is one of the best acknowledgements that we can give to our coaches and athletes at the end of a physically grueling season" explained Moyer. "The NWCA Board of Directors and staff look forward to watching these student-athletes continue their success at the collegiate level and eventually as the leaders of the future once they earn their college degrees."
MANHEIM, Pa. (EMUEagles.com) – For the second straight season, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team found itself among the top academic teams in the nation. After finishing with top-honors last year, the Eagles finished with the 10th-highest grade point average throughout the country this season, which was announced yesterday, May 9, by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Specifically, the Green and White finished the 2015-16 season with a team GPA of 3.242, which was the second-highest within the Mid-American Conference. After finishing second last season, Harvard regained the top spot after notching a team GPA of 3.412.
Awarded yearly, the NWCA All-Academic team consists of 123 student-athletes. For the second year in a row, half of the Division I champions made the team, while two additional runner-ups were included. In total, 36 All-Americans were All-Academic selections, which improved from last year's 28.
"One of the rigors of Division I athletics and wrestling specifically are the physical and mental demands," stated NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "It's a testament to our sport that we have academically excelled in a variety of different educational environments. We know how tough the Ivy League schools are and the service academies and research universities all around the country, but to see our wrestling student-athletes thrive in those situations continues to show the value of our sport and the determination these young men have."
The team GPA was determined using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program. A total of 10 of these came from the wrestlers that were entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier.
The Eagles also had one individual earn All-Academic honors, as redshirt junior Nicholas Barber (Cleveland, Ohio – St. Edward) finished the year as a NCAA Qualifier. Barber was the starter at 149 lbs. for EMU in his third year. The redshirt junior went 15-8 during the regular season, including 8-6 in duals and 4-4 in conference. He took third place at the MAC Championships, earning his first ever NCAA tournament appearance. At nationals, Barber won one of his matches in the consolation bracket, knocking off a returning All-American. Barber maintains a 3.76 GPA while majoring in general business.
"The NWCA All-Academic Team and Individual Team is one of the best acknowledgements that we can give to our coaches and athletes at the end of a physically grueling season" explained Moyer. "The NWCA Board of Directors and staff look forward to watching these student-athletes continue their success at the collegiate level and eventually as the leaders of the future once they earn their college degrees."
Players Mentioned
149
/ WrestlingEastern Michigan - 2018 MAC Wrestling Championships Preview
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 165-lb Match:
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 197-lb Match:
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 285-lb Match:
Monday, June 04