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From left to right, Rio Grande's Mitchell Freeman, Westyn Moyer and Justin Bartee have been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's 2023 Scholar All-America Team.
From left to right, Rio Grande's Mitchell Freeman, Westyn Moyer and Justin Bartee have been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's 2023 Scholar All-America Team.
Posted: Apr 24, 2023

RedStorm trio named NWCA Scholar All-Americans

Rio Grande Sports Information
     MANHEIM, Pa. - The University of Rio Grande placed three members of its wrestling team on the National Wrestling Coaches Association's (NWCA) 2022-23 NAIA Scholar All-America Team.
     A total of 196 individuals from 36 institutions were recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements.
     Rio Grande's honorees included 149-pound sophomore Mitchell Freeman (Point Pleasant, WV), 157-pound freshman Westyn Moyer (Urbana, OH) and 165-pound freshman Justin Bartee (Point Pleasant, WV).
     "I can't say enough great things about these three. You look at results and the competitive seasons they were able to put together and it's evident that they were our leaders on the mat," said Rio Grande head oach Jason Schweer. "You look on paper and see these guys won how many matches? Two of the three wrestled at the National Tournament this year. All three have placed at the Mid-South Conference Tournament. These three can absolutely wrestle."
     Grand View secured the highest number of Scholar All-American selections with 13, followed by Indiana Tech with 12, Doane with 11, and Embry-Riddle with 10.
     "All the wrestling honors are well and good, but now we get to celebrate the hard work nobody else sees and even fewer stop to recognize," Schweer said. "What these three were able to accomplish in the classroom while competing at such a high level is downright impressive. All three hold GPAs over the 3.5 mark."
     Indiana Tech clinched the top spot in the team race with an impressive 3.543 GPA, followed closely by Eastern Oregon's 3.515 and Grand View's 3.475.
     "Recognizing these exceptional athletes for their hard work and dedication both on and off the mat is a great honor for the NWCA," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. "We congratulate all the honorees for their outstanding achievements and wish them continued success in their academic and athletic pursuits."
     "I want to offer a special shout-out to Mitchell Freeman," Schweer added. "Mitchell has now doubled up the national academic honors this season. Back in March, at the NAIA National Tournament, he was recognized as an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher over the past three semesters. I anticipate he'll be joined by Justin and Westyn next year as they met all but one criteria this year - they were just freshmen."