Eastern Michigan Athletics
Seven Wrestlers Earn Academic All-MAC Accolades
3/29/2017 1:54:00 PM | Wrestling
The Eagles finished with the second most selections in the conference
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday, March 29, that seven members of the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team have been named to the Academic All-MAC team. EMU had the second most members on the team behind Kent State (8).
The seven grapplers who earned the honor include redshirt senior Nick Barber (Cleveland, Ohio-St. Edward), redshirt freshman Zac Carson (Akron, Ohio-Lake), redshirt freshman Noah Gonser (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc), redshirt sophomore Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven), redshirt sophomore Kayne MacCallum (Green Oakes, Ill.-Libertyville), redshirt freshman Sa'Derian Perry (Lakeland, Fla.-Lake Gibson), and redshirt junior Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption (Indiana)). It marked the fourth time Barber has been named to Academic All-MAC team, and the second honor for Springer and Hillman.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments for the current season are only considered.
Barber was the starter at 149 lbs. for EMU in his final season. The redshirt senior went 17-14 during the regular season, including 7-5 in duals. He took sixth place at the 2017 MAC Championships, and earned his second NCAA tournament appearance via at-large bid. At nationals, his 10-1 major decision over Kyle Shoop of Lock Haven advanced him to the championship bracket, where he went two and out. For his EMU career, Barber finished with 82 victories, good for 10th on the all-time list. On the list for the fourth time of his career, Barber currently holds a 3.71 GPA in his masters of business administration program.
In his first season as the primary 157-pounder starter, Carson, posted a 12-11 regular season record, including a 6-3 dual record, and a 3-3 mark in conference duals. He placed fourth at his first MAC Championships as the sixth seed, earning upset wins over No. 3 seeded Caden McWhirter of NIU and No. 5 Cullen Cummings of Ohio. Carson maintains a 3.94 GPA as a secondary education major.
Gonser led the Eagles at the 125-pound weight class, posting a 16-12 season record and a 7-4 mark in duals in his first season as the primary starter. During the regular season, he defeated three nationally ranked opponents, while being ranked in the top-20 of his weight class himself. Gonser earned his first appearance in the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid after placing 6th in the MAC Championships, becoming just the second EMU freshman since 1984 to compete in the national tournament. Gonser holds a 3.48 GPA in his interdisciplinary environmental science program.
Hillman posted a 10-16 record, including 6-7 in duals, in his first season as the 197 lbs. starter, bumping up from the 184 slot after his redshirt freshman season. Hillman was close in most of his matches during the season, as he suffered no bonus point defeats in conference action. He notched a pin in the dual against Cleveland State, as well as upsetting No. 4 MAC ranked Bailey Faust in the dual against the Bobcats. He earns his second straight Academic All-MAC selection while holding a 3.64 GPA in economics.
MacCallum, the primary 184 pound starter, went 7-15 overall, including 5-8 in dual action, and 3-5 in conference duals. He placed sixth in the Keystone Classic, including notching a pin in overtime. He also pinned Jerald Spohn in overtime in the dual versus Kent State to boost the Eagles to their first dual win over the Golden Flashes since 1974. In the classroom, MacCallum has a 3.57 GPA in business management.
Perry, in his first season in the starting lineup, held a 10-11 record, going 4-4 in duals in the 133-pound weight class. All four dual wins were won via pin. Perry also placed fifth at the Cleveland State Open, winning five of six bouts in the tournament. Perry maintains a 3.22 GPA in secondary education.
Springer, the primary 141 lbs. starter, held a 15-11 season record, including 8-5 in duals, and 5-3 in MAC duals. Early in the season, Springer took home MAC Wrestler of the Week honors after winning the crown at the Keystone Classic, where he knocked off No. 11 Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State in the first round. He also took home MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week accolades that week as well. Springer went on to take fourth place at the MAC Championships, notching a pair of victories. The exercise science major is earning his second straight Academic All-MAC honor and currently maintains a 3.55 GPA in the classroom.
2017 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team (34):
Kyle Akins, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Occupational Therapy (Sycamore, Ill.)
*Muhamed McBryde, Buffalo, Senior, 3.32 GPA, Sociology (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Brett Perry, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.32 GPA, Engineering (East Fishkill, N.Y.)
CJ Brucki, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.20 GPA, Accounting (Orland Park, Ill.)
*Corey Keener, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.28 GPA, Physical Education (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.)
Austin Severn, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Information Systems (New Lothrop, Mich.)
*~Newton Smerchek, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.99 GPA, Physical Education (Casco, Wis.)
Mason Smith, Central Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.73 GPA, Undecided (Clio, Mich.)
*~#Nick Barber, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.71 GPA, Masters Business Administration (Cleveland, Ohio)
Zac Carson, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.94 GPA, Secondary Education (Akron, Ohio)
Noah Gonser, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.48 GPA, Environmental Science (Grand Blanc, Mich.)
*Derek Hillman, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.64 GPA, Economics (Woodhaven, Mich.)
Kayne MacCallum, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.57 GPA, Management (Libertyville, Ill.)
Sa'Derian Perry, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.22 GPA, Secondary Education (Lakeland, Fla.)
*Kyle Springer, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.55 GPA, Exercise Science (New Boston, Mich.)
Isaac Bast, Kent State, Junior, 3.30 GPA, Earth Science (Massillon, Ohio)
*~Chance Driscoll, Kent State, Senior, 3.60 GPA, Economics (Aurora, Ohio)
*Devin Nye, Kent State, Junior, 3.80 GPA, Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (Springfield, Ohio)
Tim Rooney, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.80 GPA, Exercise Science (Columbus, Ohio)
Jerald Spohn, Kent State, Senior, 3.20 GPA, Entrepreneurship (New Lexington, Ohio)
*~Stephen Suglio, Kent State, Senior, 3.70 GPA, Integrated Science (Richfield, Ohio)
*Anthony Tutolo, Kent State, Junior, 3.60 GPA, Communication Studies (Concord, Ohio)
Jared Walker, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.60 GPA, Geology (South Fayette, Pa.)
John Erneste, Missouri, Sophomore, 3.762 GPA, Mathematics (Kansas City, Mo.)
Matt Lemanowicz, Missouri, Senior, 3.667 GPA, Nutrition & Exercise Psychology (Lee's Summit, Mo.)
*~Zach Synon, Missouri, Senior, 3.519 GPA, Business Administration (Cary, Ill.)
Caleb Gossett, Northern Illinois, R-Freshman, 3.350 GPA, Business (St. Charles, Mo.)
Dylan Peters, Northern Iowa, Senior, 3.21 GPA, Movement and Exercise Science (Denver, Iowa)
Bryce Steiert, Northern Iowa, Sophomore, 3.21 GPA, Management (Waverly, Iowa)
Max Thomsen, Northern Iowa, R-Freshman, 3.21 GPA, Management (LaPorte City, Iowa)
Arsen Ashughyan, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.499 GPA, International Business (Vanadzor, Armenia)
Kade Kowalski, Ohio, R-Freshman, 3.816 GPA, Marketing (Nashport, Ohio)
Kevin Beazley, Old Dominion, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Sport Management (Howell, Mich.)
*Jack Dechow, Old Dominion, Senior, 3.25 GPA, Communications (Richmond, Ill.)
* 2016 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
~ 2015 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
# 2014 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
The seven grapplers who earned the honor include redshirt senior Nick Barber (Cleveland, Ohio-St. Edward), redshirt freshman Zac Carson (Akron, Ohio-Lake), redshirt freshman Noah Gonser (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc), redshirt sophomore Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven), redshirt sophomore Kayne MacCallum (Green Oakes, Ill.-Libertyville), redshirt freshman Sa'Derian Perry (Lakeland, Fla.-Lake Gibson), and redshirt junior Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption (Indiana)). It marked the fourth time Barber has been named to Academic All-MAC team, and the second honor for Springer and Hillman.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments for the current season are only considered.
Barber was the starter at 149 lbs. for EMU in his final season. The redshirt senior went 17-14 during the regular season, including 7-5 in duals. He took sixth place at the 2017 MAC Championships, and earned his second NCAA tournament appearance via at-large bid. At nationals, his 10-1 major decision over Kyle Shoop of Lock Haven advanced him to the championship bracket, where he went two and out. For his EMU career, Barber finished with 82 victories, good for 10th on the all-time list. On the list for the fourth time of his career, Barber currently holds a 3.71 GPA in his masters of business administration program.
In his first season as the primary 157-pounder starter, Carson, posted a 12-11 regular season record, including a 6-3 dual record, and a 3-3 mark in conference duals. He placed fourth at his first MAC Championships as the sixth seed, earning upset wins over No. 3 seeded Caden McWhirter of NIU and No. 5 Cullen Cummings of Ohio. Carson maintains a 3.94 GPA as a secondary education major.
Gonser led the Eagles at the 125-pound weight class, posting a 16-12 season record and a 7-4 mark in duals in his first season as the primary starter. During the regular season, he defeated three nationally ranked opponents, while being ranked in the top-20 of his weight class himself. Gonser earned his first appearance in the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid after placing 6th in the MAC Championships, becoming just the second EMU freshman since 1984 to compete in the national tournament. Gonser holds a 3.48 GPA in his interdisciplinary environmental science program.
Hillman posted a 10-16 record, including 6-7 in duals, in his first season as the 197 lbs. starter, bumping up from the 184 slot after his redshirt freshman season. Hillman was close in most of his matches during the season, as he suffered no bonus point defeats in conference action. He notched a pin in the dual against Cleveland State, as well as upsetting No. 4 MAC ranked Bailey Faust in the dual against the Bobcats. He earns his second straight Academic All-MAC selection while holding a 3.64 GPA in economics.
MacCallum, the primary 184 pound starter, went 7-15 overall, including 5-8 in dual action, and 3-5 in conference duals. He placed sixth in the Keystone Classic, including notching a pin in overtime. He also pinned Jerald Spohn in overtime in the dual versus Kent State to boost the Eagles to their first dual win over the Golden Flashes since 1974. In the classroom, MacCallum has a 3.57 GPA in business management.
Perry, in his first season in the starting lineup, held a 10-11 record, going 4-4 in duals in the 133-pound weight class. All four dual wins were won via pin. Perry also placed fifth at the Cleveland State Open, winning five of six bouts in the tournament. Perry maintains a 3.22 GPA in secondary education.
Springer, the primary 141 lbs. starter, held a 15-11 season record, including 8-5 in duals, and 5-3 in MAC duals. Early in the season, Springer took home MAC Wrestler of the Week honors after winning the crown at the Keystone Classic, where he knocked off No. 11 Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State in the first round. He also took home MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week accolades that week as well. Springer went on to take fourth place at the MAC Championships, notching a pair of victories. The exercise science major is earning his second straight Academic All-MAC honor and currently maintains a 3.55 GPA in the classroom.
2017 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team (34):
Kyle Akins, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Occupational Therapy (Sycamore, Ill.)
*Muhamed McBryde, Buffalo, Senior, 3.32 GPA, Sociology (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Brett Perry, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.32 GPA, Engineering (East Fishkill, N.Y.)
CJ Brucki, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.20 GPA, Accounting (Orland Park, Ill.)
*Corey Keener, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.28 GPA, Physical Education (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.)
Austin Severn, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Information Systems (New Lothrop, Mich.)
*~Newton Smerchek, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.99 GPA, Physical Education (Casco, Wis.)
Mason Smith, Central Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.73 GPA, Undecided (Clio, Mich.)
*~#Nick Barber, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.71 GPA, Masters Business Administration (Cleveland, Ohio)
Zac Carson, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.94 GPA, Secondary Education (Akron, Ohio)
Noah Gonser, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.48 GPA, Environmental Science (Grand Blanc, Mich.)
*Derek Hillman, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.64 GPA, Economics (Woodhaven, Mich.)
Kayne MacCallum, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.57 GPA, Management (Libertyville, Ill.)
Sa'Derian Perry, Eastern Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.22 GPA, Secondary Education (Lakeland, Fla.)
*Kyle Springer, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.55 GPA, Exercise Science (New Boston, Mich.)
Isaac Bast, Kent State, Junior, 3.30 GPA, Earth Science (Massillon, Ohio)
*~Chance Driscoll, Kent State, Senior, 3.60 GPA, Economics (Aurora, Ohio)
*Devin Nye, Kent State, Junior, 3.80 GPA, Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (Springfield, Ohio)
Tim Rooney, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.80 GPA, Exercise Science (Columbus, Ohio)
Jerald Spohn, Kent State, Senior, 3.20 GPA, Entrepreneurship (New Lexington, Ohio)
*~Stephen Suglio, Kent State, Senior, 3.70 GPA, Integrated Science (Richfield, Ohio)
*Anthony Tutolo, Kent State, Junior, 3.60 GPA, Communication Studies (Concord, Ohio)
Jared Walker, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.60 GPA, Geology (South Fayette, Pa.)
John Erneste, Missouri, Sophomore, 3.762 GPA, Mathematics (Kansas City, Mo.)
Matt Lemanowicz, Missouri, Senior, 3.667 GPA, Nutrition & Exercise Psychology (Lee's Summit, Mo.)
*~Zach Synon, Missouri, Senior, 3.519 GPA, Business Administration (Cary, Ill.)
Caleb Gossett, Northern Illinois, R-Freshman, 3.350 GPA, Business (St. Charles, Mo.)
Dylan Peters, Northern Iowa, Senior, 3.21 GPA, Movement and Exercise Science (Denver, Iowa)
Bryce Steiert, Northern Iowa, Sophomore, 3.21 GPA, Management (Waverly, Iowa)
Max Thomsen, Northern Iowa, R-Freshman, 3.21 GPA, Management (LaPorte City, Iowa)
Arsen Ashughyan, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.499 GPA, International Business (Vanadzor, Armenia)
Kade Kowalski, Ohio, R-Freshman, 3.816 GPA, Marketing (Nashport, Ohio)
Kevin Beazley, Old Dominion, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Sport Management (Howell, Mich.)
*Jack Dechow, Old Dominion, Senior, 3.25 GPA, Communications (Richmond, Ill.)
* 2016 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
~ 2015 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
# 2014 Academic All-MAC Wrestling Team
Players Mentioned
149
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
197
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
133
/ Wrestling
141
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