'Berg Ranks Fourth in the Nation Academically

The Heidelberg University wrestling team not only excels on the mat, but also in the classroom. For the second straight year the Berg ranks in the top-10 in the nation academically. As a team, Heidelberg ranks fourth, which tops its previous best of sixth that the team earned a season ago. The award is presented on behalf of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and was awarded in conjunction with last weekend’s NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
As a team, Heidelberg boasts a cumulative grade point average of 3.451, which ranks just behind third place Washington and Lee University at 3.463. Williams College stood atop the nation with a 3.545 gpa followed by Rochester Institute of Technology at 3.507. Messiah College rounds out the top five in fifth at 3.449. Heidelberg is just one of three Ohio institutions on the top-25 academic list and ranks above fellow Ohio Athletic Conference foes Ohio Northern University in sixth and John Carroll University in 23rd.
 
Garnering a spot on the Academic All-American Scholar-Athlete list was 125 pound sophomore Jerrad Hoxie (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern), 133 pound sophomore Tony Lawler (West Jefferson, Ohio / West Jefferson) and 197 pound sophomore Brad Rice (West Jefferson, Ohio / West Jefferson).
 
To earn individual Academic All-American honors, a student-athlete must carry at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, qualified for nationals, or placed in your national qualifying match and/or have at least a 67 percent winning percentage.
 
In 2009, Hoxie won his second straight OAC Tournament Title, earning his second consecutive spot at nationals. Hoxie finished the year with 25 wins and went a perfect 5-0 in league duals. In the classroom, Hoxie is studying business administration.
 
Lawler emerged into Heidelberg’s line up this season and went on to win an OAC Title and represent the Berg at the NCAA Championships. The education major closed out the year with an overall mark of 17-9.
 
Joining Lawler as a new face in the Berg line up in 2009 was Rice. A mainstay at 197 pounds the entire year, Rice finished third at the OAC Tournament and closed the year eclipsing the 20-win plateau at 21-15. Rice is studying education while at the Berg.
 
Heidelberg, under the guidance of four-time OAC Coach of the Year Jason Miller, went 10-3 in duals in 2009, while claiming the program’s fourth straight OAC Tournament Title and third OAC Regular Season Championships in four years. The team ranked as high as 11th in the nation throughout the season and qualified a program-best six grapplers for nationals.