Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team, which tied for third at the 2010 NCAA Division II Championships last weekend, ranks 14th in the nation this year with a 3.059 team cumulative GPA.

The Division II Wrestling Coaches Association recently announced its team and individual academic awards.

Team wise, Truman State (Mo.) had Division II's top team GPA at a 3.467 with St. Cloud State second (3.354). Overall, UNK was one of four RMAC schools in the Top 15.

A team's GPA is calculated by averaging the cumulative GPA of ten wrestlers of which eight must have competed at their NCAA regional meet.

Individually, eight Lopers were selected to the “All-Academic” wrestling team. To qualify, a wrestler must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA, be in his second full year at his current school and be a varsity team member or key reserve.

Making the first-team was senior Derek Ross (3.19/Philosophy). The Kansan earned his second All-American honor last weekend by placing third at 184 lbs.

Selected honorable mention was junior Tyler Baker (3.14/Industrial Distribution), sophomores Kazuhiro Fujinawa (3.18/Sports Administration) and Jordan White (3.53/Industrial Distribution) and redshirt freshmen Drew Comito (3.13/Pre-Nursing), Matt Duffy (3.29/English), Jarek Patterson (3.45/Pre-Nursing) and Josh Smith (3.08/Health & Physical Education). 

Fujinawa, Ross and White are each repeat selections.