CLEVELAND, Ohio – Caleb Gossett of the Northern Illinois wrestling team was named to the 2017 Academic All-MAC Team, announced by the Mid-American Conference on Wednesday, March 29.
 
The Academic All-MAC honor is reserved for student-athletes who have excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for a particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.  Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments for the current season are only considered.
 
Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell) is one of 34 MAC wrestlers selected for the honor. Gossett is a business major and carries a 3.350 GPA. He was also named NIU's Scholar Athlete of the Week (Nov. 14-20) following his success at the Michigan State Open. At the Open, Gossett went on a 4-0 run on his way to placing first in the 285-pound weight class.  
 
In his first season as the primary 285-pound starter, Gossett contributed to Huskies' stellar performance at the 2017 MAC Championships, placing seventh. He finished the 2016-17 campaign with a winning career record, 29-27.   
 
Head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig praised Gossett for his achievement and ability to work hard in the classroom and on the mat.  "I'm proud of the way Caleb represents NIU on and off the mat," said Ludwig. "Our mission here is to mold champions in life. He's bought in and continues to work hard daily to achieve his goals as a student-athlete."
 
2017 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team (34):
Kyle Akins, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Occupational Therapy (Sycamore, Ill.)
*Muhamed McBryde, Buffalo, Senior, 3.32 GPA, Sociology (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Brett Perry, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.32 GPA, Engineering (East Fishkill, N.Y.)
CJ Brucki, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.20 GPA, Accounting (Orland Park, Ill.)
*Corey Keener, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.28 GPA, Physical Education (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.)
~Austin Severn, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Information Systems (New Lothrop, Mich.)
*~Newton Smerchek, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.99 GPA, Physical Education (Casco, Wis.)
Mason Smith, Central Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.73 GPA, Undecided (Clio, Mich.)
*~@Nick Barber, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.71 GPA, Masters Business Administration (Cleveland, Ohio)
Zac Carson, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.94 GPA, Secondary Education (Akron, Ohio)
Noah Gonser, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.48 GPA, Environmental Science (Grand Blanc, Mich.)
*Derek Hillman, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.64 GPA, Economics (Woodhaven, Mich.)
Kayne MacCallum, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.57 GPA, Management (Libertyville, Ill.)
Sa'Derian Perry, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.22 GPA, Secondary Education (Lakeland, Fla.)
*Kyle Springer, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.55 GPA, Exercise Science (New Boston, Mich.)
Isaac Bast, Kent State, Junior, 3.30 GPA, Earth Science (Massillon, Ohio)
*~Chance Driscoll, Kent State, Senior, 3.60 GPA, Economics (Aurora, Ohio)
*Devin Nye, Kent State, Junior, 3.80 GPA, Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (Springfield, Ohio)
Tim Rooney, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.80 GPA, Exercise Science (Columbus, Ohio)
Jerald Spohn, Kent State, Senior, 3.20 GPA, Entrepreneurship (New Lexington, Ohio)
*~Stephen Suglio, Kent State, Senior, 3.70 GPA, Integrated Science (Richfield, Ohio)
*Anthony Tutolo, Kent State, Junior, 3.60 GPA, Communication Studies (Concord, Ohio)
Jared Walker, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.60 GPA, Geology (South Fayette, Pa.)
John Erneste, Missouri, Sophomore, 3.762 GPA, Mathematics (Kansas City, Mo.)
Matt Lemanowicz, Missouri, Senior, 3.667 GPA, Nutrition & Exercise Psychology (Lee's Summit, Mo.)
*~Zach Synon, Missouri, Senior, 3.519 GPA, Business Administration (Cary, Ill.)
Caleb Gossett, Northern Illinois, R-Freshman, 3.350 GPA, Business (St. Charles, Mo.)
#Dylan Peters, Northern Iowa, Senior, 3.21 GPA, Movement and Exercise Science (Denver, Iowa)
Bryce Steiert, Northern Iowa, Sophomore, 3.21 GPA, Management (Waverly, Iowa)
Max Thomsen, Northern Iowa, R-Freshman, 3.21 GPA, Management (LaPorte City, Iowa)
Arsen Ashughyan, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.499 GPA, International Business (Vanadzor, Armenia)
Kade Kowalski, Ohio, R-Freshman, 3.816 GPA, Marketing (Nashport, Ohio)
~@Kevin Beazley, Old Dominion, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Sport Management (Howell, Mich.)
*Jack Dechow, Old Dominion, Senior, 3.25 GPA, Communications (Richmond, Ill.)
 
* 2016 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
~ 2015 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
# 2014 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
@2014 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team Honorable Mention