Opelt named NWCA Scholar All-American

[Houndhead]

http://www.cornellrams.com/article/1212.php

[npope]

Here's the content of the article. Congratulations to Cornell College and Opelt; very nice job!

MOUNT VERNON – Coach Mike Duroe's Rams were recognized as a 2013-14 Top-30 Scholar Team by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, it was announced at last weekend's NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids.

Cornell also landed three NWCA Scholar All-Americans in senior Ben Rosen, junior Brent Hamm and freshman Phillip Opelt. This is the second such academic honor for both Rosen and Hamm.
The Rams were named an NWCA Scholar Team for the fourth time in five years. Cornell ranked 27th with a 3.23 grade point average.

Members of Cornell's Scholar Team are Rosen, Hamm, Opelt, Aburough Abegesah, Danny Klema, Carl Gaul, Bryan Walsh, Vikash Hypio, Clint Allen and Nathan Shank.

The team GPA is calculated as an average of the top 10 student-athletes on each team. At least six of the 10 wrestlers chosen must have competed in the NCAA qualifying tournament, and the others must have competed in at least 50 percent of the team's scheduled contests.

To be eligible for the Scholar All-American award, a student-athlete must carry a 3.2 GPA and meet one of the three criteria: qualify for the NCAA Championships, place in the top six at the NCAA qualifier, or win more than 66 percent of matches and wrestle in 50 percent of the scheduled dates.

Rosen, of Lincolnwood, Ill., is an economics & business major and holds a 3.38 GPA. He placed sixth at 125 pounds at the Central Region Championships and finished the season with a 17-12 record.

Hamm, of Iowa City, is majoring in kinesiology and carries a 3.42 GPA. He qualified for the NCAA Championships at 174 pounds, after taking third at regionals. Hamm posted a 25-13 season mark.

Opelt, of Neillsville, Wis., owns a 3.48 GPA and is undecided on a major. He finished 1-2 in his NCAA debut at 133 pounds last weekend. Opelt placed third at regionals and went 23-14 during his rookie campaign.