Wrestling team receives 2006-07 NWCA Scholar Team Award

The Olivet College wrestling team has received the 2006-07 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar Team Award. Olivet’s team grade point average (GPA) of 3.345 ranked fourth among NCAA Division III schools. Since the inception of the award in 1998, the Comets have placed in the Top 10 each year.

The scholar team award is based on the GPA for at least six of the 10 wrestlers who competed at each team’s national qualifying tournament. The remaining wrestlers must have competed in at least half of the team’s competition during the 2006-07 season.

In addition, sophomore Kyle Vanderhyde (Sparta) and senior Jeff Wright (Escanaba) were honored as NWCA Scholar All-Americans. To be eligible for All-American status, a wrestler must have at least a 3.2 GPA and place in the top six at his respective regional tournament.

Vanderhyde carries a 3.75 GPA and won the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament. Most recently, he finished in second-place in the 174-pound weight class at the NCAA Division III National Championships. Wright, who is earning the honor for the third straight year, has a 3.45 GPA and was fourth in the 197-pound weight class at the Midwest Regional.