The Tom Brands Era of Iowa Wrestling continues to raise the bar for academics.  A record four Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers were named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I All-Academic Team.  Brandon Sorensen, Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, and Spencer Lee were all named to the first team. Last season Iowa tied their all-time mark with three wrestlers named to the first team.

To be eligible, student-athletes must have a 3.2 grade point average and have won 60 percent of their matches, or maintain a 3.0 GPA while earning All-America honors.

I can also copy and paste the following line from my blog last year about Academic All American wrestlers:

Iowa has had at least one representative on the NWCA All-Academic team every year since Tom Brands was named head coach in 2006.

Senior Brandon Sorensen was named to this prestigious list for a fourth straight year.  There are few four-time Division I All American wrestlers that are also a four-time Academic All American.  Sorensen placed 4,2,3,5 at the NCAA’s for his career.

Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, and Spencer Lee are also on track to be a rare four-time All American on and of the mat. Kemerer, a sophomore, placed fourth at Nationals and is a repeat as an Academic All American. Alex Marinelli and Spencer Lee were both All Americans this year as freshman on and off the mat with Marinelli placing sixth and Lee winning the national title at 125 lbs.

Brandon Sorensen, Cedar Falls, IA  Graduates in May with a degree in Sports and Rec Management.

Michael Kemerer, Murrayville, PA, sophomore, Finance major.

Alex Marinelli, Miamisburg, OH, freshman, Sports and Rec Management.

Spencer Lee, Murrayville, PA, freshman, Sports and Rec Management.

40% of the Iowa lineup is Academic All American.  These type of results in the classroom has to be a great sales pitch out on The Recruiting Trail.

This is direct proof of the commitment to academics for Iowa Wrestling, the Iowa Athletic Department, and the University of Iowa.

Great job to all.

Go Hawks!