June 6, 2012

Complete Release in PDF Format

OREM, Utah -- Following the recent completion of the 2011-12 school year, the Western Wrestling Conference has announced its All-Academic Team and Coaches' Honor Roll for the past season. Utah Valley University led the conference by landing 15 of its grapplers on the two teams.

UVU's Avery Garner (3.26 GPA) and Josh Wilson (3.58 GPA) both made the All-Academic Team, while Chase Cuthbertson (3.51 GPA), Kyle Cuthbertson (3.58 GPA), Dustin Dennison (3.10 GPA), Nathan Garcia (3.02 GPA), Sam Graham (3.8 GPA), Zac Jensen (3.38 GPA), Blake Mangum (3.64 GPA), Jarod Maynes (4.0 GPA), Eric McAllister (3.18 GPA), Sam Mecham (3.62 GPA), Monte Schmalhaus (3.17 GPA), Glenn Terrano (3.2 GPA) and Derek Thomas (3.07 GPA) made the Coaches' Honor Roll.

To qualify for the All-Academic team, student-athletes had to secure a minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average, be a starter or key reserve and be a sophomore or higher in academic standing. The Coaches' Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes who have maintained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Overall the All-Academic Team features 14 wrestlers from the seven schools in the WWC who balanced school work and time on the mat to meet the sixth-year league's highest academic standards. North Dakota State and South Dakota State tied to lead all conference squads with three grapplers each on the list, while the Wolverines had two.

Additionally 47 student-athletes were named to the Coaches' Honor Roll for their dedication to academics. UVU had the most wrestlers on the two combined teams with a total of 15, while Air Force was next with 12 grapplers named to the two lists.

The Bison, Jackrabbits and Wolverines were also recognized for their academics by the NWCA a couple weeks ago as UVU had the fourth best team GPA in the nation with a 3.27, NDSU had the 11th best at 3.16 and SDSU had the 18th best at 3.09. Individually NDSU's Trent Sprenkle, SDSU's Aaron Pickrel, UVU's Wilson and Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez and Joe LeBlanc were all named the NWCA All-Academic Team.

The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

UVU's members of the WWC All-Academic Team
Avery Garner (UVU), 141, So., 3.26 GPA, Exercise Science
Josh Wilson (UVU), 149, Jr., 3.58 GPA, Accounting

UVU's members of the WWC Coaches' Honor Roll
Chase Cuthbertson (UVU), 157, Fr., 3.51 GPA, Business Management
Kyle Cuthbertson (UVU), 174, Fr., 3.58 GPA, Business Management
Dustin Dennison (UVU), HWT, Fr., 3.10 GPA, Communications: Speech Communication
Nathan Garcia (UVU), 125, Fr., 3.02 GPA, Biology
Sam Graham (UVU), 174, Fr., 3.8 GPA, Business Management: International Business
Zac Jensen (UVU), HWT, So., 3.38 GPA, Exercise Science
Blake Mangum (UVU), 133, RFr., 3.64 GPA, Exercise Science
Jarod Maynes (UVU), 125, Fr., 4.0 GPA, Business Management: International Business
Eric McAllister (UVU), HWT, Jr., 3.18 GPA, Behavioral Science: Psychology
Sam Mecham (UVU), 149, RFr., 3.62 GPA, Digital Media: Gaming & Animation
Monte Schmalhaus (UVU), 174, So., 3.17 GPA, Exercise Science
Glenn Terrano (UVU), 141, 3.2 GPA, Community Health: Health Services Administration
Derek Thomas (UVU), 184, 3.07 GPA, Exercise Science