Augustana lands eight on Division II All-Academic team

MANHEIM, Pa. – Augustana’s Marcus Edgington, Nate Herda, Cody Lensing and Tom Davies are repeat selections to the 2011-12 Division II All-Academic Wrestling Team announced this week.

Eight Vikings were named to the team, which is chosen by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association. In addition, Augustana finished third in the team category. The Vikings were fifth a year ago.

To be named to the Division II All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must have a grade-point average of at least 3.0, be in his second year at his school, be a varsity member or key reserve and have a minimum of two letters of recommendation submitted on his behalf.

Edgington, Herda, and Lensing repeated as first team selections. Jayd Docken made his first appearance on the squad as a second-team choice. Davies is an honorable-mention selection for the second-consecutive year and is joined by teammates Kale Merrell, Bradyn Neises and Parker Swanson, all making their first appearances on the team.

Edgington has a 3.82 GPA in physics, Herda a 3.28 in exercise science, Lensing a 3.96 in biochemistry/philosophy, Docken a 3.41 in sports management, Davies a 3.43 in biology, Merrell a 3.0 in biology, Neises a 3.05 in sports management and Swanson a 3.05 in exercise science.

Augustana posted a 3.287 GPA as a team. The Vikings had the second-highest team GPA of the seven Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference squads in the top 20. U- Mary of the NSIC was the No. 1 team with a 3.334 GPA.

Lensing captured runner-up honors at 125 pounds as the Vikings finished in a tie for 10th at the 2012 NCAA Championships. He was one of three Vikings to earn All-America status.

Augustana’s top-10 team finish was the 18th in the history of the program.