May 19, 1999

Charlottesville, VA -- Virginia's Matt Roth (Wescosville, Pa./Parkland) and Jim Harshaw (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) were both named to the National Wrestling Coaches' Association (NWCA) Academic All-American squads, as announced by Tim Neumann, the head wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska. Roth was named to the second team, while Harshaw was named an honorable mention.

Roth, who won his first conference title and finished in 7th place at the NCAA Wrestling Championships was named the ACC Wrestler of the Year in a vote of the league's head coaches. Roth becomes the first Cavalier so honored by the ACC.

In 1999, Roth won the 125-lb ACC title with a 3-2 upset of top-seeded Chuckie Connor of UNC. Ironically, Roth also defeated Connor 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket to earn All-American status. In the NCAA Championships, Roth notched his 11th pin of the season, which set a new record for pins in a season and added to his career-leading total at Virginia with 28. He finished the season with a 33-7 record.

This season, Roth set the career record at Virginia in pins and dual matches competed (60), and tied the record for dual match victories (42). His 102 career victories moved him into a tie for second all-time at UVA and he competed in 149 career matches, good enough for third all-time at Virginia.

Harshaw, a three-time ACC Champion, a three-time state champion, and a two-time Outstanding Wrestler at the State Championships, also ranks in all of Virginia's career records. His 24 career pins ranks second to Roth, his 50 dual matches is 3rd, his 48 matches in 1999 is the second-highest single season total, and his 40 wins in the season is the third highest single season total. Harshaw also had 37 dual match wins, which ranks 4th all-time,

Harshaw ends his career tied with Roth with 102 career wins. He also ends up in second place all-time at Virginia with 23 career pins. His 48 matches in 1999 stands as the second-highest total of matches in a single season. Seeded 11th going into the NCAA tournament, Harshaw defeated the fourth seed in the consolation quarterfinals to advance to the All-American round.

The selection of these two Virginia athletes marks the eighth consecutive year that a Virginia athlete has been named to the squads.