Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey wrestling team not only had success on the mat this season, but the team excelled in the classroom. The Lions were recognized as one of 25 teams by the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association that boasted a team grade-point-average of 3.0.
In addition to the team being cited, five individuals were tabbed as NWCA Scholar-Athletes. Those reeling in that honor were sophomore John Barnett Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Twp.), senior Tyler Branham (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny), senior Dan DiColo (Budd Lake, NJ/Mt. Olive), senior John Dinan (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), and senior Greg Osgoodby (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick). The five honorees are the most the program has had in one season.
Barnett went 26-5 this season competing mostly at 149 pounds. The sophomore is a health and exercise science major and has a 3.16 GPA.
Branham was an NCAA qualifier for the second time in his career and has a GPA of 3.27, also majoring in health and exercise science. Branham, a 2007 All-American, went 30-6 on the season at 149 pounds. He was also a NWCA Scholar-Athlete in 2007 and has a career record of 86-20.
DiColo racked up his second straight 30-win season and capped the year off by placing sixth at 157 at the NCAA Championships to earn All-American honors. He finished with a record of 31-7 and has a 3.37 GPA in health and exercise science.
Dinan picked up 13 wins this season and played a key role in the team’s success in dual meets going undefeated in those bouts. A biology teaching major, Dinan has a GPA of 3.66.
Osgoodby garners NWCA Scholar-Athlete honors for the second straight year. The senior had a banner career on the mat for the Lions as finished with a 126-31 mark and went 31-6 this season. The 2008 All-American has a 3.33 GPA majoring in health and exercise science.
This season, the Lions finished with a 16-1-1 dual-meet record and placed second at the Metropolitan Conference Championships. The Lions also finished 28th at the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships marking the 36 straight year they have finished in the top 30. TCNJ is also the only program in championship history to record team points in each tournament.