Pinning Down Academic Success
Muhlenberg’s men’s and women’s wrestling teams have been honored for top performance in the classroom while also placing on the mats in the 2024-25 season.By: Carey Manzolillo Friday, March 28, 2025 03:28 PM
A NEW START
Although it’s rare for new programs to do well in their first year, Muhlenberg’s first-ever varsity women’s wresting season ended at the national championships. Freshman Kelsey Gelb qualified for the NCWWC Championships in Coralville, Iowa, by placing fourth at 160 at a Region 2 qualifier meet at East Stroudsburg. What’s more — 16 of Gelb’s 21 first-season wins were earned by pins.
At the end of the season, two of Gelb’s teammates — freshmen Karla Lazaro and Alessandra Rodriguez — earned high honors for their work off the mat, when they were named NCAA Women's Wrestling Scholar All-Americans by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
A TIME-HONORED TRADITION
Meanwhile, the well-established men’s wresting team earned the eighth-highest GPA in the country, as well as individual academic awards from the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Nine members of the team were named NCAA DIII Men's Scholar All-Americans — recognizing success in the sport as well as a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
One of those Scholar All-Americans, senior Andrew Franklin, was also the first Mule men's wrestler ever to be named Centennial Conference Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The team finishing third at the Centennial Conference Championships and sent a program-record seven athletes to the podium at the regional meet.
