May 19, 2005

Three University of Illinois wrestlers, Mark Jayne, Kyle Ott and Alex Tirapelle, were named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic team, as announced this week. As a team, the squad put together a combined GPA of 2.954, which ranks 24th among NCAA wrestling schools.

Tirapelle (Jr., Clovis, Calif./Clovis) earns the award for the third time in his career after posting a 3.72 in accountancy, and also defending his Big Ten title at 157 pounds. Jayne (Elyria, Ohio/St. Edward), a 2005 graduate in kinesiology with a 3.24 GPA, is now a two-time honoree and finished his career a two-time 133-pound All-American. Ott (Huber Heights, Ohio/St. Paris Graham), who is a junior pre-med major with a 3.5, earns the honor for the second year, while also making the NCAA finals at 125 pounds for the second straight season.