MANHEIM, Pa. (March 25)- Saint Vincent College sophomore wrestler Chase Brandebura was named an Academic All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association late last week. 

To be honored with Scholar All-American distinction, wrestlers must meet one of two criteria in academics and wrestling. Academically, they must have an average GPA of 3.2 over the last 2 semesters or quarters or last 3 trimesters or a cumulative GPA of 3.2. On the mat, they need to either place in the top eight in the regional tournament or have a winning percentage greater than 66 percent in a minimum of 15 matches.

Brandebura (Carnegie, Pa./Carlynton) concluded his sophomore campaign with his second consecutive Presidents Athletic Conference Championship in the 165 lbs. weight class. The sophomore advanced to the semifinals at 165 lbs. after a 5-1 decision against Will Domico of W&J. He followed with a pin at 43 seconds against Giovanni Elinsky of Thiel to advance to the championship match. In the championship, he followed with a pin at 2:50 against Jiovanni DeChicchis to win the championship for the second consecutive year.

He then earned a sixth place finish for the Bearcats in the 165 lbs. weight class at the NCAA Regionals. In his first match of the tournament, Brandebura picked up a pin at 1:14 to advance in the winners bracket. After falling in his next match, the sophomore picked up a tech. fall and another pin, before eventually falling to go into the fifth place match. In that fifth place match, Brandebura fell by a slight 8-5 decision to finish sixth in the region.