Complete NWCA Top-30 Scholar America Team (.pdf) | Complete NWCA Scholar All-Americans (.pdf)
MANHEIM, Pa. – Seven Baldwin Wallace University wrestlers have been named as a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American while the program finished 10th in NCAA Division III as a Scholar All-America Team.
For the seventh consecutive season, BW finished as a Top-30 Scholar All-America team coming in 10th place with a team grade point average of 3.642.
The seven Yellow Jacket wrestlers to be named as Scholar All-Americans were senior All-American Stanley Bleich (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic), senior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference performer Aidan Cardaman (Geneva), junior Academic All-OAC performer Luke Hopkins (Cuyahoga Heights), senior All-American Dalton Leightner (Ravenna/Rootstown), senior Jarod Miller (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds), freshman All-Central Region performer Donovan Palmer (North Ridgeville/Lutheran West) and freshman Tommy West (Avon Lake/St. Edward).
To be eligible for this recognition, athletes must maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA, have a minimum win percentage of at least .500, and wrestle 50% or more of the team's matches throughout the season.
Bleich, who garners his fifth accolade, is pursuing a Master's in business administration and carries a 3.722 GPA. He is the school's all-time wins leader with 136 victories. Off the mat, Bleich was three-time Academic All-OAC selection, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American, Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar, member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and the 2021 BW Kenneth Steingass Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award recipient.
Cardaman, who is earns his first career honor, was a health and physical education major that carried a 3.531 GPA. For his career, Cardaman had 34 victories with 10 pinfalls, seven major decisions and two technical falls. Off the mat, he was a three-time Academic All-OAC selection, Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
Hopkins, who garners his first accolade, is a mild/moderate educational needs major that carries a 3.938 GPA. For his career, Hopkins has 26 victories with six pinfalls, three technical falls and two major decisions. Off the mat, he is a two-time Academic All-OAC performer, Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
Leightner, who earns his third career honor, is pursuing a Master's in health care management and carries a 3.762 GPA. For his career, Leightner ranks 10th on the all-time wins list with 105 victories. He recorded 22 pinfalls, 18 technical falls and 12 major decisions. Off the mat, Leightner was an Academic All-OAC performer and a two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week winner.
Miller, who garners his first accolade, was a business administration major that carried a 3.2 GPA. For his career, Miller had 66 victories with 16 pinfalls, six major decisions and two technical falls.
Palmer, who earns his first honor, is a public health major that carries a 3.5 GPA. In his first season, Palmer compiled a record of 23-13 with five pinfalls and five major decisions. He earned All-Central Region honors and qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships.
West, who garners his first accolade, is an accounting major that carries a 3.229 GPA. In his first campaign, West had a record of 22-11 and tied for the team lead with 13 pinfalls. He also tallied three technical falls and two major decisions.
BW finished the 2021-22 season with a record of 15-3, won its sixth OAC in the last seven years and placed eight at the NCAA Division III National Champions.