CLEVELAND, Ohio - Redshirt sophomore John Kelbly of the Cleveland State University wrestling team was named Academic All-Mid American Conference in an announcement made by the league office Thursday morning.

In CSU's first season as a league member, Kelbly becomes the first-ever Viking to claim this award that honors student-athletes for their success on the mat and in the classroom.

Kelbly owns a 3.26 cumulative grade point average as a criminology major.

Kelbly placed sixth at his debut MAC Championships, finishing two spots higher than he was seeded. He tallied 15 wins on the season, despite battling an injury that limited his action in the lineup, and finished second on the squad with six pins. He won a number of noteworthy dual bouts during the campaign—a must-win match in the final bout of the dual at Buffalo to give the Vikings their first MAC win; a pin in the final bout to ensure the team victory at Bloomsburg; and beating an opponent he had lost to earlier in the season at Kent State, which sparked a furious rally and come-from-behind CSU win.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the regular season meets. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments for the current season are only considered.

The ineligibility of student-athletes in their first year on a roster significantly limited the number of Vikings who were eligible for the award this season. Five of the Vikings' starters were in their first season on the roster.

Kelbly was one of seven Vikings to place at the 2020 MAC Championships and one of five that outpaced their seed. As a result, Cleveland State finished in the top half of the team standings at the event after being tabbed to finish dead last in the final pre-championship coaches' rankings. Cleveland State's nine dual wins were its highest such figure in 13 years.