Complete NWCA Division III Scholar All-Americans (.pdf)
MANHEIM, Pa. – Eight Baldwin Wallace University men's wrestling student-athletes have been recognized by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) as Scholar All-Americans.
The eight men's wrestlers are senior All-American Doug Byrne (Wickliffe), senior All-OAC and Academic All-OAC Luke Hopkins (Cuyahoga Heights), senior All-OAC Robby Palmieri (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland), senior All-American and two-time NCAA Division III Champion Michael Petrella (Reynoldsburg/Bishop Hartley), junior Brett Blaess (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), junior All-OAC Tommy West (Avon Lake/St. Edward), sophomore Remington Bauer (Norwalk/Edison) and freshman Andrew Supers (Medina).
Byrne, who garners his first honor, carries a 3,714 grade point average in business management. This season, he had a record of 36-5 with a career-best 21 pins, career-high six major decisions and one technical fall. Byrne was a NCAA Division III National qualifier, All-Central Regional champion, an All-OAC first-team selection and the OAC Men's Wrestler of the Week on November 18. For his career, Byrne ranks sixth on the all-time wins list with a record of 117-20. He has recorded 70 pins, 17 major decisions and four technical falls. Byrne is a four-time All-OAC honoree, including the last three as a first-team selection, Off the mat, he is an Academic All-OAC performer.
Hopkins, who earns his third straight accolade, carries a 3.906 grade point average in mild and moderate educational needs. This season, he had a record of 18-9 with five technical falls, two pins and two major decisions. Hopkins was a NCAA Division III National qualifier, All-Central Regional performer, an All-OAC first-team selection. For his career, Hopkins had a record of 44-28 with eight pins, eight technical falls and four major decisions. He is a two-time All-OAC selection. Off the mat, Hopkins is a three-time Academic All-OAC honoree, Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar and a member of Member of Chi Alpha Sigma and Dayton C. Miller honoraries.
Palmieri, who garners his second straight honor, carries a 3.911 grade point average in national security. This season, he recorded a career-high 31 victories with 11 losses. Palmieri tallied a career-best nine technical falls, career-high seven major decisions and career-best tying three pins. For his career, Palmieri ranks 39th on the all-time wins list with a record of 73-37. He has posted 12 technical falls, 12 major decisions and eight pins. He was a 2022-23 All-OAC selection. Off the mat, Palmieri is a three-time Academic All-OAC performer, Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar, and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
Petrella, who earns his first accolade, carries a 3.20 grade point average in digital marketing. This season, he won his second straight NCAA Division III National Championship at 149 pounds and had an undefeated record of 43-0. Petrella was second on the team with a career-high 16 pins. He was third on the squad with a career-best 16 technical falls. He has now won an impressive 76 straight matches and is 113-3 in his last three seasons. Petrella was named the OAC Men's Wrestler of the Year, the NCAA Division III Central Region Most Outstanding Wrestler, The Open Mat.com NCAA Division III Men's Wrestler of the Year, All-OAC first team for the third straight season, D3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Week on February 7 and the OAC Men's Wrestler of the Week on two occasions. For his career, Petrella is a three-time All-American, three-time national finalist and two-time champion. He ranks seventh on the University's all-time wins list with a record of 115-4. Petrella has recorded 43 pins, 24 technical falls and 16 major decisions.
Blaess, who garners his second straight honor, carries a 3.649 grade point average in computer science. This season, he had recorded a career-high 24 wins with just seven losses. Blaess tallied a career-best 11 technical falls, career-high five pins and three major decisions. For his career, Blaess has a record of 57-25 with 18 technical falls, 11 major decisions and seven pins. Off the mat, he is a two-time Academic All-OAC performer, Dean's List student and Jacket Scholar.
West, who earns his second career accolade, carries a 3.380 grade point average in accounting. This season, he had a record of 35-14 with 12 pins, career-best nine technical falls and a career-high six major decisions. West was a NCAA Division III National qualifier, All-Central Regional performer, an All-OAC first-team selection, the Mid-States Invitational Champion on February 17 and the OAC Men's Wrestler of the Week on February 19. For his career, West ranks tied for 29th on the all-times wins list with a record of 83-31. He has recorded 30 pins, 14 technical falls and 11 major decisions.
Bauer, who garners his first honor, carries 3.977 grade point average in pre-allied health and pre-physical therapy. This season, he was second on the team with a career-best 38 wins with 16 losses. Bauer recorded a career-high seven technical falls, six pins and a career-best six major decisions. For his career, Bauer has a record of 54-29 with 13 pins, seven technical falls and six major decisions. Off the mat, he is an Academic All-OAC performer, Dean's List student and a Jacket Scholar.
Supers, who earns his first accolade, carries a 3.35 grade point average in business administration. He had a record of 34-7 with 11 technical falls, seven pins and four major decisions. Supers was, was a NCAA Division III National qualifier, All-Central Regional performer an All-OAC first-team selection, a three-time invitational champion and the OAC Men's Wrestler of the Week on February 5.
BW finished the year with a record of 15-2 and 7-0 in the OAC. The Yellow Jackets were the OAC Champions for the fourth straight season and for the eighth time in the last nine years. BW was the NCAA Central Regional Champions for the second straight season and for the fourth time in the last six seasons. The Yellow Jackets finished sixth at the NCAA Division III National Championships.
