EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern wrestling has been named an NWCA Division I All-Academic Team, it was announced Thursday.
 
The Wildcats had a 3.24 grade point average, computed using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program, including the 10 starters at the Big Ten Championships.
 
This award has been handed out by the NWCA since 1991 and the GPA mark is NU's highest ever, surpassing last year's high watermark of 3.162.
 
"All of our academic accolades have been very impressive," said head coach Matt Storniolo. "We pride ourselves on having no excuses — on the mat or in the classroom — and our wrestlers have lived up to the task."  
 
NU's grade-point average is the 20th best in the nation, up four spots from last year. Only Penn State and Ohio State have higher marks in the Big Ten.
 
In March, a program-record 14 wrestlers earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Only 15 grapplers were eligible for the award that rewards non-rookie student-athletes with a cumulative GPA over 3.0.
 
The Wildcats saw tremendous success on the mat as well, ending the season the 17th-best team in the nation by the NWCA. In March, redshirt first-year Sebastian Rivera became the 40th All-American in team history, finishing in sixth-place in Cleveland, Ohio, at 125 lbs.  
 

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