Five Jayhawks Honored with the NWCA 2019-20 NJCAA Scholar All-American Awards

Five Jayhawks Honored with the NWCA 2019-20 NJCAA Scholar All-American Awards

MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the recipients of the 2019-2020 Scholar All-American honorees with the award going to five Jamestown Community College wrestlers.

 

The Jayhawks to receive the honors are sophomores Dan Torres, Seth MacTavish and So Murata while Taige Jones and Colten Studley received the awards as freshman.

 

“Five of our starters, So, Taige, Seth, Colten and Dan, all represented JCCto the finest and exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete’” said JCC wrestling head coach Kris Schimek. “I can and do preach to these guys all the time about being a leader on and of the mats, and that school needs to come first, but it’s ultimately up to them to actually do it and these guys earned all of the credit for that.”

 

Torres, a criminal justice major, had a historic season for the Jayhawks, setting a new record of single-season wins with 42. Torres showed consistency all season, placing in five invitationals and opens. His season came to an end during the 2020 NJCAA Wrestling Championships, falling in the championship match for the 174 weight class. During the season, Torres was named the Region III Wrestler of the Week five times and was named the NATYCAA 2019-20 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Torres was also named to the WNYAC Academic All-Conference and Region III Academic All-Region teams

 

MacTavish, a criminal justice major, had a bounce back season his sophomore year, compiling a record of 12-11. MacTavish placed third at the Eastern District I Championship in the 157 weight class, making him a NJCAA National Championship qualifier. MacTavish was also named to the WNYAC Academic All-Conference and Region III Academic All-Region teams

 

Murata, a math major, finished sixth at the Eastern District I Championships in the 125 weight class which ended his career at JCC. Murata was also named to the WNYAC Academic All-Conference and Region III Academic All-Region teams.

 

Jones, a criminal justice major, had a strong freshman season compiling a record of 15-21 in the 141 weight class. In the early stages of the season, Jones placed first at the Thunderwolves Open. Carrying that momentum in the later part of the season, Jones placed fourth at the Eastern District I Championship and earned a wildcard bid to the 2020 NJCAA Wrestling Championships. Jones was also named to the WNYAC Academic All-Conference and Region III All-Region teams.

 

Studley, a criminal justice major, compiled a record of 14-19 during his first year at JCC. Studley split time in the 141 and 149 weight classes. While at 149, Studley finished third at the Thunderwolves Open and placed fifth at the Eastern District I Championships.

 

“I am both proud and honored to have coached these fine young men and look to continue the positive and successful classroom culture that we have created here on our team,” added Schimek.