May 14, 2008

2007-08 NWCA All-Academic Wrestling Team

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Two-time All-American Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) and 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier Spencer Manley (Chattanooga, Tenn.) were among the 88 Div. I wrestlers nationwide to be named to the 2007-08 National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic Team, while the Midshipmen, as a team, tied for 23rd among all wrestling programs with their 2.933 cumulative grade-point average.

Stolpinski concluded his career at the Academy as one of its most decorated wrestlers. After placing fourth at last year's NCAA Championship, the 2008 team captain came back to earn All-America kudos for a second straight year thanks to his seventh-place finish at the national tournament. He is only the 14th wrestler in school history be named an All-American multiple times and the first since Mark Conley in 2001 and '02. He joins an elite list that includes two-time National Champion Peter Blair (1954, 1955) and Olympian Lloyd Keaser (1971, 1972).

Stolpinski finished the 2008 campaign with a 42-8 record, turning in the fourth most wins in school history. He is the first wrestler in the program's history to reach 40-plus wins twice and one of only three wrestlers to reach 40 wins in school history. Included in those wins were tournament titles at the Navy Classic, as well as a program-record fourth straight All-Academy Championship crown by Stolpinski. Additionally, Stolpinski won back-to-back EIWA titles in 2007 and '08, becoming the first Navy wrestler (along with Ed Prendergast) to be crowned a two-time champion since Conley in 2001 and '02. He is the 23rd wrestler to accomplish the feat.

In addition to his laundry list of achievements, Stolpinski received and accepted an invitation to take part in the 42nd edition of the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps. He is just the 12th different Navy wrestler to be invited to the all-star tournament since its inception in 1967 and the first since Mark Conley in 2002.

Posting a 4-2 record in the championship, Stolpinski finished his career with a 141-43 record, smashing the previous record for career wins set by Greg Gingeleskie who amassed 127 from 1996-99. Additionally, Stolpinski walks away boasting four of the top five single-season wins totals at 174 pounds with 44 (06-07), 42 (07-08), 30 (05-06) and 25 (04-05).

Stolpinski will graduate next week with a degree in hand in the field of general science. He has earned a 3.26 GPA and stands in the top 36 percent of his class academically. Additionally, he is ranked 20th in his class of 1,056 in military order of merit. He has been named to the Commandant's List six times, including each of the last four semesters, while earning mention on the Superintendent's List three times.

Like Stolpinski, Manley will receive his diploma next week with a degree in ocean engineering. A seven-time recipient of Superintendent and Commandant's List recognition, Manley has amassed a 3.74 GPA in his four years at the Academy. He has posted five semesters with a 4.00 GPA, including both semesters of his senior year. He is among the top 10 percent of his graduating class in academics and in military order of merit, he ranks 14th.

After enduring a disappointing junior season that featured a rash of injuries, Manley bounced back only to have his most successful campaign as a senior. He began the season wrestling at 149 pounds where he would place second at the Eastern Michigan Open and fourth at the Reno Tournament of Champions, but at the turn of the calendar year, he found himself moving to 157 pounds where he would find his most success. He turned in an 8-4 record at 157 pounds which included winning his first All-Academy Championship title. Additionally, he placed third at the EIWA Championship which in turn qualified him for the 2008 NCAA Championship in St. Louis. He ended his career with a 59-43 overall record, including a 25-13 mark this season. It was the first time in his career he has reached the 20-win plateau.

For teams to be eligible for consideration, teams comprise 12 student athletes, including the 10 wrestlers that were the entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier. If teams had less than 10 entries for their respective qualifier, they may fill those spots with wrestlers that competed in at least one varsity dual during the season.

Individually, wrestlers must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total schedule - and must have competed in at least 60 percent of said schedule. The other way to qualify for the All-Academic Team is have a 3.0 cumulative and been an NCAA All-American.