PELLA — A string of academic awards continued for recent Central College men's wrestling graduate Sam West (Burlington, Notre Dame HS) as he was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American Wednesday.

West, who was chosen for the second team, is just the second Dutch men's wrestler to be recognized. Gage Linahon was honored in 2023 and 2024.

Wrestling does not have its own Academic All-America team, but Linahon was chosen for the second team in the At-Large program alongside athletes from sports like volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, ice hockey, skiing, golfing and fencing.

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.
           
West finished the season 19-7 at 197 pounds. His third-place finish at the NCAA Division III Region VI Championships earned him a trip to the NCAA Division III Championships. He was named the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete as the top academic qualifier to the national meet. He finished his career with 73 wins and as a three-time all-conference performer.
           
While he is the second in program history, he is the 83rd Central athlete to make an Academic All-American team.