GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College first-year Jason Baker ’23 and junior Austin Bonacci ’21 were recently named Scholar All-Americans by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Baker went 21-11 in his first season. He won the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title at 141 pounds in February and went on to place eighth at the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional Championships. Baker, of New Alexandria, Pa., is a 2019 graduate of Derry High School and a criminal justice major.
Bonacci, went 16-8 at 157 pounds in 2019-20. He was the seventh seed at the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional Championships. Bonacci, of West Miflin, Pa., is a 2016 graduate of West Miflin Area High School and a religion major.
To qualify as a NWCA Scholar All-American, a wrestler must have a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average and one of the following: Be a national qualifier with a winning record, a regional place-winner with a winning record or have a season winning percentage of 67 percent or better. Scholar All-Americans must also have competed in at least 50 percent of the team's matches.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.