Morningside was named the top academic wrestling team in the NAIA for the second year in a row.

Morningside was named the top academic wrestling team in the NAIA for the second year in a row by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).

The Mustangs have a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.39 to top a list of 15 NAIA wrestling programs designated as NAIA All-Academic Teams by the NWCA. Morningside edged runner-up Cumberland University (3.38) for top honors.

Morningside is one of three teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) named a NWCA NAIA All-Academic Teams. Concordia University is sixth with a 3.22 team GPA and Hastings is eighth at 3.20.

Morningside’s Derik Bailey, Dakota Drenth and Steven Garcia were named 2017 NWCA NAIA All-Academic Individuals. Drenth and Garcia received the honor for the second year in a row. Bailey, a junior from Smithland, Iowa, is majoring in biology and chemistry. Drenth, a sophomore from Hartley, Iowa, is majoring in elementary education. Garcia, a junior from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, is majoring in non-profit management.