From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

Led by a pair of Scholar All-Americans in sophomore Josh Hall (Galloway, Ohio/Bishop Ready) and freshman Luke Marcelli (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson), the Case Western Reserve University Spartans have earned the National Wrestling Coaches' Association Division III Scholar Team Award with the nation's third-best grade point average.

With a team GPA of 3.6, the Spartans have earned the award in each of their two seasons under Head Coach Mark Hawald. Of the 10 grapplers that competed throughout season, all 10 maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, while a pair of Spartans boast a 4.0.

Hall and Marcelli earn individual honors by surpassing the minimum GPA requirement (3.2) and finishing the season with a winning percentage of .670 or better.  

"What makes me most proud is that all 10 guys that were with us throughout the year maintain a GPA above 3.0," said Hawald. "We're going to continue to improve on the mat, and we want to challenge for that top spot on the scholar team list next season."

A biology major with a 4.0 GPA, Hall was 18-8 at 125 pounds and earned All-University Athletic Association honors for the second season in a row. Marcelli, a biology (pre-med) major with a 3.5 GPA, led the team with a 30-12 record as a rookie 149-pounder.

The Spartans finished the 2013-14 season with more dual match victories than the previous five seasons combined. 

CWRU's wrestling program has a long history of success both on the mat and in the classroom. Overall, Case Western Reserve has produced 19 All-Americans, four NCAA National Champions and 38 NWCA Scholar All-Americans. The program has also ranked in the top-10 in the nation for team grade point average five times with the No. 1 ranking in Division III in 2007.