Vlieger earns national academic award

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson wrestler Colby Vlieger recently earned Scholar All-America honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) for his combined efforts on the mat and in the classroom for the 2015-16 season.

A rising senior from Indianola, Iowa, Vlieger tied for the team-lead with 20 wins in 2015-16, going 20-19 at 285 pounds. His 20 wins were a career-high and Vlieger placed in three tournaments throughout the season. He finished third at Simpson's own Luther L. Hill Invitational and took sixth at the NCAA Central Regional.

Vlieger was one of just 180 wrestlers in the nation to qualify for the honor.

To qualify as an NWCA Scholar All-American, a wrestler must be in at least his second semester at a school. His GPA must be at least 3.2 and he must meet at least one of the following wrestling criteria.

1. 2016 NCAA Qualifier with a record above .500
2. Regional top 6 AND greater than .500 record AND competed in 50% or greater of a team's schedule
3. Record above .670 AND competed in 50% or greater of a team's schedule