LaCrosse, Wis. – March 23, 2011 – In conjunction with the 2011 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships hosted by the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse March 11-12, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced its 2011 Scholar All-Americans. Four earned academic recognition for the Heidelberg University wrestling team which included senior Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood) and juniors Tom D’Alessandro (Mayfield Heights, Ohio / Mayfield) and Jerry Knapp (Olmsted Falls, Ohio / Olmsted Falls) and sophomore Andy Lovins (Clinton Township, Mich. / Lake Shore). As a team the Berg ranked 15th in the nation.
Leading the way for the Berg honorees was D’Alessandro with his second straight honor. The 2011 Ohio Athletic Conference 133 pound champion also made an appearance at nationals. It was the second consecutive season he claimed the top honor in the OAC and wrestled on the national stage. He closed out the year with an overall record of 14-6. In the classroom D’Alessandro is studying mathematics and physics.
In his final campaign, Curley made his third appearance at nationals and was the 165 pound runner-up at the OAC Tournament. He closed out his career with his first 30-win season after going 31-8. He spent the entire year ranked amongst the nation’s leaders. He will graduate in May with a degree in political science and criminal justice.
Knapp is studying business administration at the Berg and completed his second full season in the line up at 285 pounds. In each of the last two seasons he has made it to the final round at the OAC Tournament, bringing home runner-up honors this winter. At the close of the season he posted a record of 25-11.
Rounding out the list of honorees is Lovins. Lovins battled an injury this season and posted a 16-7 record. He became the starter at 197 pounds. While at Heidelberg, he is studying criminal justice.
