O'Donnell, Padilla named NWCA Scholar All-Americans

MANHEIM, Pa. -- Concordia Wisconsin's Merric O'Donnell and Marco Padilla were named National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-Americans, the organization announced.

O'Donnell, a junior from Huntington Beach, California, earned a 3.8 grade point average this past fall semester as a criminal justice and public policy major. His cumulative gpa is 3.26. On the mat, he compiled 17 wins during the season and took fifth at the Millikin Open on November 9 to begin the season and placed eighth at the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional.

Padilla, a sophomore from Elmwood Park, Illinois, had a 3.5 gpa in the fall semester as a marketing major. His overall gpa is 3.38. Padilla had a team-best 27 victories during the season, placed in seven tournaments and won the MSOE Invitational on December 7 after going a perfect 4-0 with each win coming by decision. He also finished second at the CCIW Championship (February 13) and seventh at the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional (February 28-29), which is considered the most difficult in the nation.

The two become the 15th and 16th Falcon wrestlers to earn the honor.