Linahon repeats as Academic All-American
PELLA – For the second year in a row, Central College men’s wrestler Gage Linahon (senior, Newton) was chosen as an Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators Wednesday.
Linahon became the first Dutch wrestler to earn the honor last season. Wrestling does not have its own Academic All-America team, but Linahon was chosen for the first team in the At-Large program alongside athletes from sports like fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, skiing and water polo. Linahon was one of just three wrestlers to be chosen for the first team.
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve at the varsity level and achieve a 3.50 or better cumulative grade point average. Being selected for the Academic All-District team is also a prerequisite.
Linahon finished the season 31-7 at 197 pounds, placing second at the Lower Midwest Regional. His placement in the regional earned him a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Championships. He has a career record of 83-26 with three individual tournament titles.
Central set a new school standard with eight total CSC Academic All-Americans selected during the 2023-24 school year. Dating back to 1979, Central has had 80 Academic All-America awards earned by 63 individuals.
