The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team's 2015-16 grade-point-average ranked No. 15 in the nation according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's list released today. The Mocs had a 3.196, while senior John Lampe and junior Jared Johnson both made the Academic All-NWCA team.
"We always work to try to be among the best in the country, both on the mat and in the classroom," stated head coach Heath Eslinger. "Most of the programs on this list are among the best in Division I wrestling, so you see the correlation between succeeding the classroom and succeeding in competition."
This is the fourth time the Mocs have finished in the top-15 under Eslinger.
UTC topped a 3.0 GPA for the entire team for the first time in the fall.
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 starting lineup, plus two alternates.
Lampe finished his career with a 3.99 GPA and a degree in History. He is currently working on a Master's Degree in Education. This is his first Academic All-NWCA recognition.
Johnson is a two-time Academic All-NWCA honoree. He graduated on Saturday with honors with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a 3.73 GPA. He will be back for his senior campaign as a grad student in the fall.
The full release, along with the list of teams and student-athletes honored is available here.
"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" said NWCA Executive Director Mike 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."