COMPLETE 2009-10 ESPN THE MAGAZINE MEN'S AT-LARGE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Wheaton, Ill. –
Justin Tomal, a recent Wheaton College graduate has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America At-Large team for 2009-10. Tomal, a standout for the Wheaton wrestling team was a Third Team Academic All-America selection. The recognition was announced on Tuesday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Tomal earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wheaton in May, graduating with a 3.95 cumulative grade point average. Tomal recorded a 19-6 record at 174-pounds for the Thunder wrestling team this season. He took first-place honors at Manchester College’s “Spartan Mat Classic” and at the Knox Invitational this winter. Tomal is a two-time selection to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team and a three-time member of the CCIW Academic All-Conference team. During his Thunder wrestling career, Tomal compiled a 71-53 career record.
Through the years, 42 Wheaton student-athletes have earned a total of 56 Academic All-American selections through the prestigious program. Since 2000 there have been 30 Academic All-American selections from Wheaton. Tomal is the second Academic All-America selection from the Wheaton wrestling program to earn the honor, joining David Elsen, a Second Team At-Large pick in 1995.
To be eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America program, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Division I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports. Through the years, Wheaton has had a total of 51 Academic All-American selections to the prestigious program, including 30 since 2000.