Kelvington and Burnett Earn NWCA All-America Honors

MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has announced the 2020 Division II All-America teams highlighted by Augustana’s Ben Kelvington and Hunter Burnett. This year’s selections were based on each wrestler’s overall body of work through the Super Regional Tournaments and up to the national championships, which were canceled due to COVID-19.

“With the cancellation of the national tournament the NWCA Division II leadership group thought it was still very appropriate to name All-Americans this year,” Jason Warthan, NWCA Division II President said. “The leadership group did a great job of weighing different options and polling the membership. We are happy that we can make the most out of an incredibly unfortunate situation.

“Although this is not the same as having a national tournament, these individuals should be recognized for their amazing season results and super-regional tournaments. Congratulations to the 2020 All-Americans and National Qualifiers. “

Kelvington, a native of Jordan, Minnesota, advanced to the national championship by claiming the consolation championship in the Super Region 5 Tournament at 174 pounds. Holding a No. 9 national ranking going into the regional, Kelvington tallied a 15-5 overall record and owned an 11-bout winning streak in the season over Division II opponents. He went on to earn the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award for owning the highest GPA of all student-athletes to qualify for the national championships.

Burnett, hailing from Pipestone, Minnesota, was a national qualifier at 141 pounds after placing runner-up at the Super Region 5 Tournament. He entered the tournament with a No. 9 national ranking, much in thanks to a 27-9 overall record and 9-2 mark in duals. He tallied a victory over the nation’s No. 1 ranked wrestler as Augustana took down then No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 20. His 27 wins were a team-high in 2019-20.

The duo helped Augustana place runner-up in the NSIC with a 6-2 record while topping five nationally-ranked opponents as part of 10 dual victories. Augustana was set to host the NCAA Division II National Championships March 13-14 before being canceled due to COVID-19.

NWCA Division II 2020 All-America Teams

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