Rutgers Wrestling: Smith on NWCA All-Academic Team

Three-time NCAA qualifier Billy Smith was placed on the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team, the organization has announced. Smith has now secured NWCA All-Academic honors for the third time in his career "On the Banks."

Ninety-six wrestlers on the team qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships, which is an increase of 19 wrestlers compared to the 2013-14 team.

Of the 77 Division I wrestling programs, 56 teams had at least one representative on the All-Academic Team. Nineteen Bog Ten wrestlers made the list.

Smith, an History major and an Academic All-Big Ten Conference Team heavyweight, went 20-10 in his redshirt junior season and 11-6 in dual meets, posting a 2-2 mark in his third trip to NCAAs.

In order to receive NWCA All-Academic honors, Smith had to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and win 60 percent of his total schedule, and/or qualify for the NCAA Championships.