Three Wrestlers Named Academic All-Americans
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 20, 2004 -- Springfield College senior
Justin Friend, junior
Tim O’Donnell, and sophomore
Peter Marques have been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic team.
For the sixth time in seven years, the Pride placed in the top-20 nationally in the team standing. SC finished 20th overall with a grade-point average (g.p.a.) of 3.067.
Friend, who hails from
Jefferson, N.H., earned the honor for the second time in his career. He recorded a 4.0 g.p.a. during the spring semester and had a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.46 as a computer graphics major. In the 125-pound weight class, Friend went 25-14 overall with three pins last season. He finished second at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championships, helping the Pride to its seventh conference title.
O’Donnell, a native of
Hudson, N.Y., continued his academic excellence with a 3.87 g.p.a. last spring and carries a 3.77 cumulative g.p.a. as an art therapy major. He recorded a 21-10 record with four pins at the 165-pound class. O’Donnell, who had a 17-8 tournament record last season, placed third in the Petrofes Invitational at Messiah College on December 8.
Marques, who hails from
Massapequa, N.Y., earned a 3.15 g.p.a. last spring and currently holds a 3.27 cumulative average as a physical education major. He experienced a successful sophomore campaign, finishing second in the 133-pound weight class at the NECCWA Championships. Marques' season totals included a 25-17 record with one pin.
The Pride finished the '03-'04 season with a 14-8 dual-meet record and placed 23rd at the NCAA Divsion III Championships.
Team Links
Head Coach Jason Holder
Jason Holder will enter his third season as head wrestling coach in 2013. Holder had a standout first season at the helm of the Pride, leading Springfield to the NEWA Duals Championship and taking three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
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Contact Head Coach Jason Holder
E-Mail | Phone: 413.748.3276
