Mankato, Minn. — Five Minnesota State wrestlers have been named 2023 NWCA NCAA Division II Scholar All-America award winners for their efforts in the classroom and on the wrestling mat.
To be eligible for the award, a wrestler must have a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. For those who qualified for the 2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, the GPA is 3.25 and for those who were All-Americans at the national championships, the benchmark GPA drops to 3.0.
MANHEIM, PA – For the fifth time in six seasons, the Saints of Maryville University sit atop the NWCA Scholar All-America Team listing for NCAA Division II. In addition, 318 individuals from 57 programs were also honored in the annual awards.
The Saints posted a GPA of 3.487 to top the team listing. Wisconsin-Parkside (3.466); Indianapolis (3.386); West Liberty (3.378) and Northern State (3.372) round out the top five teams.
“We are proud of our team for this,” Saints Head Coach Mike Denney said. “The academic standards at Maryville are high and we want to be a positive force in that. Winning this award shows we are contributing to our campus in that way and I am really just so pleased and proud of our guys.”
Brian Thilges of Mankato East has committed to wrestling for Minnesota State University Mankato next season.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — A total of 86 Minnesota State student-athletes have been named to the NSIC Winter All-Academic Team.
To be eligible for the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence, a student-athlete must have a 3.60 cumulative GPA or higher, while NSIC All-Academic Team members must have a 3.20 cumulative GPA or higher. Additionally, the student-athlete must be a member of the varsity traveling team, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at her/his institution (true freshmen, red-shirt freshmen, and ineligible athletic transfers are not eligible), and must have completed at least one full academic year at that institution.
2023 NCAA Division II National Championships results. March 10-11 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Senior Darrell Mason is coming home with his second All-American honor as he finished third at 285 pounds at the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships.
Mason, seeded sixth at 285, started the tournament with a big win by fall over Scheib of Shippensburg. In the quarterfinals, Mason dropped a 6-2 decision loss to #3-seeded Campbell of Glenville State. Bouncing back, Mason picked up a 3-2 decision win over Watt of Chadron State.
Starting the third round consolation this morning, Mason defeated #2-seeded Lee Herrington of Nebraska-Kearney in an 8-3 decision. Mason had takedowns in the first and second periods, including a 4-pt nearfall in the second period to advance to the semifinal consolation round.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Minnesota State senior Darrell Mason went 2-1 to open the 2023 NCAA Division II Championships and has secured All-American status.
Mason, who is the sixth seed at 285-pounds picked up a thrilling win in his opening match against Daniel Scheib of Shippensburg. Both wrestlers traded escapes for the matches, only scoring in regulation.
Scheib went for a throw to start the overtime; however, Mason countered and put Scheib on his back to earn the fall.
Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State senior Darrell Mason has advanced to the NCAA National Championship Tournament for DII Wrestling March 10-11, in Pella, Iowa.
A Chicago, Ill. Native, Mason currently holds a 12-3 overall season record, and went 3-0 to claim the NCAA Super Region V Champion title. Mason was also ranked 11th in the NWCA Coaches Poll, released Feb. 17, 2023.
Head Coach Jim Makovsky had a few words about the upcoming national tournament: “We’re excited for the opportunity that DeBo has earned. He’s had to deal with a lot of adversity this season. It wasn’t easy for him at all. He competed at a high level at our qualifier, and I think he is battle tested. His main focus is to prepare and perform to the best of his ability. Focus on the circumstances of the moment and enjoy the entire experience. He does that, he will be in the mix for a national championship.”