Wrestling | March 29

MANHEIM, PA—Seven members of the Northern Illinois University Wrestling squad have earned academic recognition from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) as announced on Friday, March 29, 2024.
 
A total of 338 scholar-athletes from 78 institutions across the nation are being recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice), Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns), Jacob Christensen (Durham, Calif./Durham), Michael Kaminski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport), Ricardo Salinas (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township), Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), and Tulga Zuunbayan (Mongolia/Rolling Meadows) all received recognition in this year's honorees.

West and Christensen earned the honor for the second consecutive year for the Huskie wrestling program.
 
West placed second at the MAC Championships at 125 pounds and represented the Huskies at the 2024 NCAA National Championships, compiling a 27-8 record on the season and going undefeated in dual competitions (15-0). At 141 pounds, Brya took second at the MAC Championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament as an at large, recording a record of 13-4 on the season. 
 
At 133 pounds, Kaminski placed fifth at the MAC Championships and had a 13-10 record in his senior season. Christensen competed at 285 pounds for the Huskies with a record of 11-7.
 
Salinas represented the Huskies this season at 174 pounds, accumulating a record of 11-14. Zuunbayan competed at 157 pounds for the Huskies with a 9-6 record. Bennett took eighth at the MAC Championships at 165 pounds, getting a record of 9-19 during the season.    
 
For an individual to get this award, the student-athlete must have one full semester of attendance at their institution and a cumulative GPA at the nomina9ting institution. Additionally, the wrestler must meet one of the following criteria:
 
1.         Have a 3.0 GPA at the certifying institution and place that Nationals in 2024. OR
2.         Have a 3.2 GPA at the certifying institution and be a National Qualifier in 2024. OR
3.         Have a 3.5 GPA at the certifying institution and either have represented the team at the Conference Tournament OR have a 60% or better record in a minimum of 15 matches AS recorded in Track Wrestling.

--NIU--