For the sixth time in the past 10 years, a Lycoming College student-athlete has been recognized with a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, as wrestler Preston Rogers earned the award.

Rogers is Lycoming’s sixth NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner since 2014, the most amongst Middle Atlantic Conference schools. Jordan joins a group that includes Justin Walker (2014, soccer), Sam Dressler (2018, football), Brandon Conrad (2018, wrestling), Nick Russello (2020, lacrosse) and Luke Jordan (2022, men’s soccer).

“To see the success that we have had in garnering recipients is more than a little humbling, and it speaks to both what a great place Lycoming is and what great people we have attracted to this College,” Director of Athletics Mike Clark said. “Preston is a tremendous student and he will be a great doctor. He is absolutely a model for what we want our student-athletes to aspire to in the classroom and in the community. I am incredibly grateful for the leadership that Associate Director of Athletics Joe Guistina, Dr. Sue Beidler, who retired as our faculty athletics representative in 2020, and Dr. John Whelan, our current FAR, have provided our student-athletes as they have completed their nominations.”

The six honorees in the past 10 years is also the most amongst any Landmark Conference institutions, which Lycoming officially joined on July 1.

Rogers will use the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship at the Penn State College of Medicine in University Park, beginning work on his doctorate this summer.

“Wrestling has shaped both my character and my future career desires as a physician,” Rogers said. “Wrestling and medicine are challenging paths to take in life, yet the lessons learned from one can be used to excel in the other. I plan to utilize the dedication and perseverance learned from wrestling, along with the scientific knowledge gained from my experiences, to thrive as a physician and treat my future patients with a holistic approach.”

Rogers went 15-8 as a senior with three technical falls, one major decision, and two pins at 165 pounds, finishing his career 34-27 with eight pins, five technical falls, and three major decisions. He is one of seven Academic All-Americans from the wrestling program, earning third-team honors in June.

“I was excited when Preston came to Lycoming to have someone so enthusiastic, competent, efficient, and knowledgeable wrestling for me,” Lycoming head wrestling coach Roger Crebs said. “His leadership in the classroom and in the wrestling room is outstanding. Preston is confident, dependable, well organized, and highly motivated. These are valuable skills that make great professionals.”

Rogers was involved in numerous community service projects on and off campus, including working as a lab assistant for Mary Morrison, Ph.D., in her research lab.

“Preston has a deep, genuine passion for learning how biological systems work,” Morrison said. “He is a patient and constructive team leader, and a budding translational science researcher. His mind is alive and curious, and he’s always thinking about clinical applications of basic science concepts.”