The Predicament releases Academic All-State teams

Athletes have long lived with the stereotype of being "dumb jocks." Many wrestlers are shattering that misperception. Just look at the Academic All-State list released by The Predicament. Not only do these grapplers perform on the mat but also in the classroom.

Sam Gervase leads the way with a 4.224 GPA. Really? If you added up all my terms in high school together they wouldn't have added up to 4.224. Here are the teams and the criteria used is at the very end.

Sam Gervase, 4.224 - Sr., Davenport Assumption

Jake Ballweg, 4.0 - Sr., Waverly-Shell Rock

Brody Grothus, 4.027 - Jr., Davenport Assumption

Chad Ryan, 3.95 - Jr., Sioux City North

Austin Kessler, 3.993 - Jr., Durant-Bennett

Tanner Scott, 4.0 - Soph., Eddyville-Blakesburg

Beau Westpfahl, 3.942 - Sr., Jesup

Matt Finch, 3.943 - Jr., HMS (Hartley)

Alex Meyer, 4.101 - Soph., Southeast Polk

Jake Crosby, 3.97 - Jr., Eddyville-Blakesburg

Phillip Laux, 3.983 - Soph., Pekin

Jake Kadel, 3.852 - Jr., New London/WMU

Will Hansen, 3.994 - Sr., Waterloo Columbus

Jase Schossow, 4.0 - Sr., East Marshall

Jacob Kramer, 4.108 - Jr., Tri-Center (Neola)

Timothy Dougherty, 4.0 - Sr., Maple Valley/Anthon/Oto

Robert Walker, 3.889 - Soph., Martensdale-St. Marys

Nathan VanZante, 3.95 - Jr., Eddyville-Blakesburg

Tyler Ogburn, 3.891 - Jr., Corning

Matt Hoch, 4.0 - Sr., Harlan

Josh Behrendt, 4.0 - Sr., Davenport Central

Brock Haas, 3.91 - Sr., Dubuque Hempstead

Trevor Hejhal, 3.859 - Sr., Osage

Spencer Lueders, 3.979 - Sr., Goose Lake

Clay Long, 4.0 - Sr., Gilbert

Tom Meirick, 3.969 - Sr., Turkey Valley

Marcus Miller, 3.981 - Sr., West Burlington

Tom Mahoney, 3.99 - Jr., New Hampton

Dylan Peters, 3.70 - Soph., Denver-Tripoli

Levi Kellogg, 4.0 - Sr., Clear Lake

Kyle Paulsen, 3.809 - Sr. Wilton

Wesley Henry, 3.89 - Sr., Riverside (Oakland)

Sam Upah, 3.78 - Sr., East Marshall

Brent Blaser, 3.87 - Sr., Osage

Tate Klocke, 4.0 - Soph., Rockwell City-Lytton/SCAL

Austin Weisinger, 3.90 - Sr., Marion

Tony Saucedo, 4.0 - Jr., Clarke (Osceola)

Jack O'Brien, 3.80 - Sr., Belle Plaine

Ryan Randall, 4.0 - Soph., Osage

Tony Naber, 3.86 - Sr., Dyersville Beckman

Carter Oliver, 3.809 - Sr., Woodbine

Colton Van't Hof, 3.778 - Jr., Sioux Center

Cody King, 4.0 - Jr., Mason City

David Walker, 3.736 - Soph., Martensdale-St. Mary's

Criteria and comments from The Predicament:

• G.P.A. (example) 3.52 = 352 points (max. 400 points)

• Wins (example) 31 wins = 31 points

• 2010 State Tournament Finish

1st place..................................10 points

2nd place..................................8 points

3rd place...................................7 points

4th place...................................6 points

5th place...................................5 points

6th place...................................4 points

7th place...................................3 points

8th place...................................2 points

State Qualifier............................1 point

• Grade in School

Senior........................................4 points

Junior........................................3 points

Sophomore...............................2 points

We have always felt that in order for an individual to excel in the sport of wrestling - intelligence, quickness, balance and strength are necessary ingredients.

Combine those ingredients with a great work ethic, an excellent attitude and a big heart, and you have The Predicament's 2010 Academic All-State wrestlers.

There were 105 wrestlers nominated. Listed below are the 44 student-athletes who made the final cut.

The average GPA of the 44 student-athletes selected to the three teams was 3.94. The teams boast five State champions and several other State place finishers.