Biondo, Zeerips Garner NWCA All-Academic Honors
6/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
June 1, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Three University of Michigan wrestlers -- fifth-year senior Anthony Biondo (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS), sophomore/freshman Brandon Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) and senior/junior Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) -- were recently named to the 2010-11 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team. U-M was one of just 15 schools to boast at least three representatives on the list and one of only five Big Ten Conference teams to achieve the feat.
It is the second consecutive national academic selection for Biondo, who graduated this spring with a B.A. in English. He becomes just the 11th Wolverine to earn the multiple NWCA academic distinctions. Former four-time NCAA All-Americans Ryan Bertin (2002-05) and Eric Tannenbaum (2005-08) stand as Michigan's lone four-time NWCA All-Academic selections.
Both Zeerips garnered their first mention on the national academic squad. Brandon is a sport management major, who was recently named the team's 2011 recipient Dr. Donahue Award for Academic Excellence, while Justin is an elementary education major. The brothers were former valedictorians of their respective Hesperia High School graduating classes.
To qualify for individual selection, wrestlers must fit one of two criteria -- have at least a 3.2 grade-point average and either have been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total season matches while competing in 60 percent of the team schedule, or have a 3.0 GPA and have earned NCAA All-America honors.
The Wolverines concluded the 2010-11 season with an 11-5 record, including a 5-3 mark against Big Ten competition. After placing fifth at the Big Ten Championships, U-M posted a 15th-place team showing at the NCAA Championships -- the program's 10th top-15 finish in 11 seasons.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
