The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team finished in the company of the nation’s elite when it comes to academics for the 2014-15 season. The Mocs were No. 11 among all NCAA Division I programs with a 3.201 team grade-point-average, according to a recent release from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
The NWCA calculates team grade-point average using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program. A total of 10 of these were regular starters for each team at each weight class, plus two other reserves.
“We have always had a strong focus on academics in our program and these are the types of results we expect with Chattanooga wrestling,” stated head coach Heath Eslinger. “We want to be the best at everything we do, so I expect to see us climbing higher each year.”
Chattanooga is the highest ranking team on the list that also won its conference championship. It is the first time UTC has made the top-15 since finishing 12th in 2012. The Mocs were also No. 8 in the nation in 2011.
Chattanooga had three individuals, senior Sean Boyle and sophomores Jared Johnson and John Shrader, earn a spot on the NWCA All-Academic Team. In order to earn this honor, student-athletes must achieve a 3.2 cumulative g.p.a., win 60% of their total schedule or be an NCAA qualifier.
“Sean, Jared and John all set an outstanding example of how to be a true student-athlete,” added Eslinger. “They perform in the classroom and in competition, and are excellent representatives of our University.”
Boyle was the 2015 SoCon Wrestler of the Year with a 32-7 overall record, while Johnson qualified and competed at the NCAA Championships with a 30-11 mark. Shrader finished third at the SoCon Tournament while posting a 16-7 record.
This is the most individual honors for the Mocs since grabbing four spots on the NWCA All-Academic team in 2011. For the full list of Division I wrestling team GPAs and Academic All-NWCA honorees, click the link at the top of the page.