Wrestling teams finish 2007 fall semester with top two GPA averages at USOEC
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by Elizabeth Wiley
MARQUETTE, Mich. - USA Wrestling women's freestyle and the men's Greco-Roman wrestling teams at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University completed the 2007 fall semester with the top grade point average (GPA) performances among teams in the program.
The women maintained an average of 3.21 while taking also taking an average of 12.22 credits and placed first among the teams training at the USOEC.
"This is the second time we've had the highest GPA at the training center," women's head coach Shannyn Gillespie said. "It's a constant thing we are working on. It depends on the kind of athletes we recruit. A lot of people think that these athletes are just training, but they are student-athletes. Most of them are doing two-a-day workouts in addition to taking nine to 12 credits."
Nikki Darrow led the women's team in the classroom, finishing the semester with a 3.9 GPA while taking 13 credit hours.
"It's difficult but with good time management it can be done," said Gillespie.
The men's team achieved a 2.78 average GPA while taking an average load of 12 credits, helping them finish second among the student-athletes training at the USOEC.
"I believe that the young men in our program have come to appreciate the importance of being disciplined both on and off the mat," men's assistant coach Jim Gruenwald said. "This becomes especially true when we prompt them as a coaching staff to plan for a future after wrestling, regardless of performance."
Two men led the Greco-Roman team with 4.0 GPAs: first-year wrestler Aaron Briggs and third-year team member John Dibala.
Designated the only US Olympic Education Center in 1989, the USOEC has been home to men's Greco-Roman wrestling since 1999 and women's freestyle program since 2005. All athletes participating at the USOEC must be approved by USA Wrestling. Other sports in the USOEC program include boxing, speedskating, and weightlifting.
The USOEC is located on the campus of Northern Michigan University and gives athletes the opportunity to attend classes while actively training for the Olympics.
The women maintained an average of 3.21 while taking also taking an average of 12.22 credits and placed first among the teams training at the USOEC.
"This is the second time we've had the highest GPA at the training center," women's head coach Shannyn Gillespie said. "It's a constant thing we are working on. It depends on the kind of athletes we recruit. A lot of people think that these athletes are just training, but they are student-athletes. Most of them are doing two-a-day workouts in addition to taking nine to 12 credits."
Nikki Darrow led the women's team in the classroom, finishing the semester with a 3.9 GPA while taking 13 credit hours.
"It's difficult but with good time management it can be done," said Gillespie.
The men's team achieved a 2.78 average GPA while taking an average load of 12 credits, helping them finish second among the student-athletes training at the USOEC.
"I believe that the young men in our program have come to appreciate the importance of being disciplined both on and off the mat," men's assistant coach Jim Gruenwald said. "This becomes especially true when we prompt them as a coaching staff to plan for a future after wrestling, regardless of performance."
Two men led the Greco-Roman team with 4.0 GPAs: first-year wrestler Aaron Briggs and third-year team member John Dibala.
Designated the only US Olympic Education Center in 1989, the USOEC has been home to men's Greco-Roman wrestling since 1999 and women's freestyle program since 2005. All athletes participating at the USOEC must be approved by USA Wrestling. Other sports in the USOEC program include boxing, speedskating, and weightlifting.
The USOEC is located on the campus of Northern Michigan University and gives athletes the opportunity to attend classes while actively training for the Olympics.
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