MANHEIM, Pa.-- Trine's Caleb Maddox has been named a 2016 National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Scholar All-American, the organization announced Wednesday.
Maddox (Russiaville, Ind./Western) achieved a 3.357 GPA in exercise science while posting a 26-13 record on the mat this season. In order to be named a Scholar All-American, a wrestler must have a 3.2 GPA and meet one of several competitive standards. Maddox surpassed the competitive standard with his .667 winning percentage this year. He was one of 180 wrestlers nationwide to meet the criteria for Scholar All-America honors.
The honor wraps up a successful campaign for the freshman. The 133-lb wrestler led the Thunder in wins, winning percentage and pins. Eight of Maddox's victories came by fall. He added three victories by tech fall and another seven by major decision. Maddox notched an .810 winning-percentage in matches decided by fall, tech fall or major decision this year.
Maddox established himself as a wrestler to watch early in the season as he opened his collegiate wrestling career with a second-place finish in Muskegon Community College's Ben McMullen Open. Maddox later placed seventh in his class in a strong Ohio Northern Invitational Field.
Maddox was also at his best in a pair of dual tournaments the Thunder competed in. The freshman earned three wins at the Budd Whitehill Duals, which included a victory in Trine's match against No. 16 Williams College. He also went unbeaten in two matches at the University of Chicago Duals.
The late stages of the season saw Maddox really hit his stride as he won five of his last six regular-season matches entering the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional. Included among those were wins in each of Trine's last three duals. He closed out the season by winning two matches before being eliminated in the Midwest Regional.
Maddox is the Thunder wrestling program's 15th Scholar All-American and the program's first since the 2012-13 season.