University of Minnesota Athletics
Ness, Safratowich Named NWCA All-Academic
6/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Manheim, Pa. - The University of Minnesota wrestling team was represented by a pair of athletes on the 2009 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division I All-Academic Team, as is was announced late yesterday (June 4). Golden Gopher senior Tyler Safratowich joins junior Jayson Ness as All-Academic honorees.
To be eligible for the honor, the student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, be a NCAA qualifier or have won 60% of his total schedule - and must have competed in at least 60% of said schedule. The other way to qualify is to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have been a NCAA All-American.
The Bloomington, Minn. native, Ness, holds a 3.185 GPA in Technology Education, and recently earned his third All-America honor at the NCAA Championships. Ness placed third at the NCAA’s at 133 pounds last winter, and has never finished lower than fifth in his three seasons. He collected a 38-8 record on the season, which included a team-high 19 by fall. Now with 54 pins in his career, the junior already holds the Minnesota record for career falls.
Ness was also voted team MVP by his teammates while also earning the Academic Award for excellence in the classroom.
The Park Rapids, Minn. native, Safratowich is the owner of a 3.174 GPA in Construction Management. He also earned All-America accolades at the NCAA Championships in March, placing eighth at 157 pounds. Safratowich was a national qualifier in 2007, before earning his first All-America honor this season.
He accumulated a 32-15 record during the season that included eight falls, which were each the third best mark on the team. Along with his eighth place finish at the NCAA’s, Safratowich also earned third place honors at the Big Ten championships.
Safratowich and Ness are among 73 individuals from across the country, representing 45 schools on the All-Academic Team. The list also includes 51 NCAA qualifiers, 17 All-Americans, eight NCAA finalists, and five NCAA champions. They are also among 16 athletes from the Big Ten to be honored.
Players Mentioned
