NORMAN – The National Wrestling Coaches Association named seven Oklahoma wrestlers to its 2024 Division I Scholar All-American team on Friday afternoon.
Cael Carlson, Josh Heindselman, Jared Hill, Giuseppe Hoose, Jace Koelzer, Tate Picklo and Kaden Smith are all listed amongst the honorees.
To be eligible for Scholar All-America status, a wrestler must have fulfilled one of the four requirements:
- Must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and earned All American honors in the same academic year
- Must have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the same academic year
- Must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have won 60% of their total matches in at least 60% of the team’s schedule
- Must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and been a participant at the conference qualifying tournament
For Koelzer, it is his fourth year in a row receiving the award, while Friday marks Heindselman’s third straight inclusion. Carlson, Hill, Hoose and Picklo earn the honor for the second time, while Smith is recognized for the first time in his career.
“It is a privilege to honor these exceptional athletes for their remarkable accomplishments,” NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer said. “Congratulations to all the awardees, and we extend our best wishes for their continued success in their academic and athletic endeavors.”
The seven Sooners honored is tied for the third most in the country and second among all Big 12 programs. 338 total individuals were given the award spread across 78 teams.
OU now has 56 all-time NWCA Scholar All-Americans. The organization was founded in 1997.