PITTSBURGH – Utah Valley University redshirt sophomore Matt Findlay is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship.
Findlay, who is majoring in biology with a Russian minor at UVU, carries a 3.94 GPA to claim the prestigious honor. Findlay was presented with the award on Saturday evening just prior to the championship finals at the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
"Matt is the perfect example of what we look for in a UVU student-athlete. He manages his time efficiently between school, wrestling and his personal life. He is a special young man," head UVU coach Greg Williams said. "It is impressive to see how well he can focus on each individual area of his life. He puts in the needed time to fulfill his goals, while making sure he puts his wife and son first."
Findlay, who entered his first trip to nationals this weekend as the No. 20 seed at 141 pounds, had a strong tournament in which he went 3-2 and made it to Friday evening's Round of 12. After dropping his opening match, the Wolverine redshirt sophomore responded by winning three straight matches over No. 29 Corey Shie of Army (16-5), returning All-American and No. 19 Sa'Derian Perry of Old Dominion (6-3) and a first-period fall over No. 6 Mike Carr of Illinois (2:19). He then had his 2019 NCAA Championship run come to a close with a 17-7 setback to the 2019 Big 12 champion and ninth-seeded Dom Demas of Oklahoma to finish just one win shy of earning All-American honors.
Findlay is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree for the Wolverines and now a one-time NCAA qualifier. He concluded his stellar sophomore campaign on the mat with a 17-4 record.
Findlay becomes Utah Valley's first student-athlete to earn the esteemed award, as he has the best GPA of all 330 wrestling student-athletes at the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
"This award means a lot to me. It confirms that I'm on the right track to reach my athletic and professional goals. I hope it makes my wife and the rest of my family proud. I hope it reflects well on my school and brings pride to Utah Valley University," said Findlay. "I'm just grateful to be attending college where I do and to be competing in the greatest sport known to man."
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.
from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2WjxtHg
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