BROOKVILLE, N.Y – The LIU wrestling program was honored as the best in the nation Thursday, earning the highest team academic award possible. The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 2021 Scholar All-American Team and Individual honorees for NCAA Division I with awards going to 191 individuals representing 59 institutions.
 
The Sharks finished with the highest GPA in the country, at 3.5584.
 
"It's my honor on behalf of the NWCA and our Board of Directors to recognize this outstanding list of team and individual award winners," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "These athletes had to navigate a season full of unknowns and the fact they were able to continue to excel in the classroom is a testament to the attack mentality that wrestlers bring to every aspect of their lives."
 
In the team race, Long Island University finished atop the field with a 3.5584 GPA followed by #2 North Dakota State University (3.5440) and #3 Cleveland State University (3.5331). The Top Five was rounded out by #4 Stanford University (3.5010) and #5 George Mason University (3.4818).
 
The Sharks also had one Scholar All-American honored, as freshman Devin Matthews earned the honor.
 
The complete NWCA release can be found here.