GORHAM — A pair of University of Southern Maine Huskies’ wrestlers have earned National Wrestling Coaches’ Association (NWCA) Division III Scholar All-American honors.

Southern Maine senior cocaptain Billy Cole earned his second Scholar All-American honor from the NWCA, while sophomore grappler Rick Chipman of Harpswell picked up his first.

Of the approximately 2,500 student/athletes that compete in wrestling at the NCAA Division III level, only 145 studentathletes earn Scholar All- American honors from the NWCA.

Cole and Chipman are among five USM wrestlers to have earned the honor in the program’s history.

Serving as the Huskies’ Academic Captain after earning the highest grade-point average on the team as a freshman, Chipman is a 2011 recipient of the USM Department of Athletics’ William B. Wise Scholar- Athlete award.

In his second season with the Huskies, Chipman has been a yeoman and a consummate team player, filling in where necessary in the Huskies’ lineup while competing mainly at the 165 or 174 pound division. A political science major, Chipman was recently recognized by the Pilgrim Wrestling League by his selection to the All-Academic squad.