Bell, Harding Capture All-ACC Academic Awards

DURHAM, N.C.-Two members of the Duke University wrestling team have been named to the 2010-11 All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team the league office announced on Tuesday, April 26. Senior Mike Bell and freshman Ryan Harding represented the Blue Devils on the squad.

Bell earns his third All-ACC Academic award, while Harding is one of four freshmen selected to the team. Bell is one of two three-time honorees on the squad this year.

Bell, an electrical and computer engineering major, anchored Duke's lineup at 141 pounds. He posted a 17-18 overall record and a 3-6 mark in dual matches. Bell took home runner-up honors at the NC State Open and finished with a 14-12 record in tournament bouts. Against ACC foes, Bell registered a fall against Danny Lopes of North Carolina and suffered narrow decision setbacks against foes from NC State and Virginia. For his career, Bell posted a 54-68 record.

A true freshman, Harding was Duke's top wrestler at 157 pounds. The North Andover, Mass. native posted a 13-19 overall record during his rookie season and went 2-6 in dual matches. He took third at the Citadel Open and was fourth at the NC State Open and completed the tournaments with an 11-13 overall mark. Harding posted two pins and two major decisions for the Blue Devils and went 1-1 in overtime bouts in his inaugural season.

The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average for their career as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.

To be eligible for All-ACC Academic Team consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.

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