Air Force wrestlers receive NWCA academic awards

  • Published
  • By Melissa McKeown
  • Assistant Athletic Communications Director
MANHEIM, Pa. --  The Air Force wrestling team was named to the Division I All-Academic Top 30 Team by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, while recent Academy graduate Stephen Crozier was named to the NWCA Individual All-Academic wrestling team, as announced by the organization.

As a team, the Falcons ranked 22nd on the list with a combined GPA of 2.975. It marks the first time since the 2005-2006 season Air Force has been named an NWCA All-Academic Team. In determining eligibility for team all-academic status, the team GPA is comprised of 12 student athletes, including the 10 wrestlers who were the entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier. If teams had fewer than 10 entries for their respective qualifier, they may fill those spots with wrestlers who competed in at least one varsity dual during the season.

Meanwhile, Crozier earned individual all-academic accolades for the second consecutive season.

This year, Crozier is one of just 73 wrestlers to receive the honor. To qualify for selection on the NWCA Individual All-Academic team, wrestlers must: have a 3.2 GPA and been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total schedule and must have competed in 60 percent of team schedule or, have a 3.0 GPA and earned NCAA All-American honors.

Crozier carried a 3.59 GPA and graduated last month with a degree in economics. Also an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection, Crozier compiled a 25-16 record (.610) during the 2008-2009 season to lead the Falcons in total wins for the second-straight year.

An NCAA qualifier in 2008 and three-time All-Western Wrestling Conference honoree, Crozier is a two-time NCAA West Regional runner-up, wrestling at 165 pounds in 2008 and at 174 pounds in 2009.