Cornwell, @GWUWrestling Honored By NWCA For Academic Prowess
May 10, 2016 | Wrestling
MANHEIM, Pa. – Gardner-Webb's wrestling program continued its excellence in the classroom, taking eighth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division I Academic Rankings in 2015-2016.
It was the third top-10 finish in a row for the Runnin' Bulldogs, who compiled a team GPA of 3.282 to finish just behind Penn and American and ahead of 2016 NCAA team national champion Penn State. Gardner-Webb posted the top GPA in the Southern Conference for the third consecutive season as well.
Harvard topped the 2015-2016 rankings academically.
Each team's grade point average is determined by the NWCA using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program. A total of 10 spots were made up of wrestlers who participated in the conference tournament or NCAA qualifier event.
In addition to the team honor, graduate student Boyce Cornwell (Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS) was named to the NWCA individual All-Academic Team.
Cornwell, who moved to the 285-pound weight class for the first time this past season, burst onto the scene as one of the nation's most improved wrestlers.
A redshirt junior on the mat in 2015-2016, Cornwell went 23-11, including a 5-2 mark in the Southern Conference and a 12-3 record in dual matches. His late win on February 3 in Durham lifted Gardner-Webb to a 19-18 win over No. 24 Duke – the program's second win over a top-25 squad in a strong seven-day stretch.
Cornwell took third at the 2016 Arby's SoCon Wrestling Championships to earn one of the league's allocations to the NCAA Championships at Madison Square Garden. He won his opening match in New York City over 11th seed Sam Stoll of Iowa and was competitive in two close losses to Big Ten foes at the Garden – including a heartbreaking, double overtime loss in the second round.
He surpassed his previous career win total (20) in just one season.
In the classroom, Cornwell graduated in December with a degree in business, wrapping up his undergraduate career with a solid 3.64 cumulative GPA. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb enjoyed its most successful season in 2015-2016, winning a school-record nine dual matches and earning a share of the 2016 SoCon Regular Season Title. Cornwell, along with teammates Austin Trott (165) and Chris Vassar (149), qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
All three 2016 qualifiers return for the 2016-2017 season, as do 2013 qualifier Hunter Gamble (184) and 2015 qualifier Ryan Mosley (157) – forming a strong core for an even more impressive season.
