Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Wyatt Hendrickson Wins 2025 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, Presented by ASICS

NEWTON, Iowa – When Wyatt Hendrickson emerged from the Wells Fargo Center tunnel and into the spotlight, the American flag draped around his shoulders, he knew the 285-pound NCAA title would soon belong to him.
In fact, the Oklahoma State fifth-year senior, who spent his previous four seasons at the Air Force Academy, knew it well before that historic Saturday night in Philadelphia.
It did not matter who he would have to go through to stand atop the podium. A two-time national champ, two-time previous Dan Hodge Trophy recipient and Olympic gold medalist stood between him and the realization of a lifelong dream, as did the reigning 285-pound NCAA champion. Having been tech falled by both foes in previous collegiate seasons, it still did not matter.
From the moment he committed to rookie head coach David Taylor’s Cowboys, the persistent incoming text messages from his new coach became his mantra. “Wyatt Hendrickson 2025 national champion.”
He read it, comprehended it, believed in it, and willed it into existence.
Hendrickson’s high-crotch takedown, executed with 23 seconds to go in the final on Minnesota’s Gable Steveson for a 5-4 lead and the eventual win, will go down as arguably the most dramatic points in NCAA collegiate wrestling history. On the year, he finished 27-0 with 13 pins, eight tech falls and a bonus-point percentage of 81.5. He took out Penn State’s defending national champion, Greg Kerkvliet, 8-2, in the NCAA semis and the legendary Steveson for the title.
And now, the Kansas native Hendrickson and his season will even further be etched in college wrestling’s history books, as he has been named the recipient of the 2025 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy presented by ASICS Wrestling.
Hendrickson will be presented the Hodge Trophy at the Oklahoma State University wrestling banquet. Like in past seasons, Hendrickson will then publicly be presented the Hodge at a football game this fall. For more information on the Dan Hodge Trophy, visit www.WIN-magazine.com.
The 145th national champion for Oklahoma State and third wrestler to win the Hodge, Hendrickson narrowly won one of the most competitive Hodge votes in history … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/03/31/wyatt-hendrickson-wins-2025-win-magazine-culture-house-dan-hodge-trophy-presented-by-asics/

April 2, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Celebrating the many “firsts” of our great sport

By Mike Chapman

Being first in any sporting activity is a part of history that lasts forever. There can only be one first in any event for an athlete. Babe Ruth, Roger Bannister, the Green Bay Packers were all first, in one way or another. And college wrestling is no different.
As we speed toward another NCAA tournament, here are some fabulous firsts that come to my mind:
The very first NCAA tournament was held in Ames, Iowa, in 1928.
That year, Harold DeMarsh, Oklahoma State, became the first NCAA champion ever, at 115 pounds.
The first official team champion was Oklahoma State in 1929. (No team score was kept in 1928.)
The first three time champion was Earl McCready, Oklahoma State heavyweight, from 1929 to 1931.
In 1932, Edwin Belshaw, Indiana, became the first O.W.
The tournament was cancelled from 1943-1945 due to World War II, and David Arndt of Oklahoma State stands tall as the only wrestler to win titles on both sides of the war. He claimed two at 145 pounds prior to the conflict, then flew over 100 combat missions in Europe, and returned home to win his third in 1946, this time at 136 pounds.
In 1947, tiny Cornell College in Mount Vernon, under Coach Paul Scott, became the first of four Iowa colleges to win the team title.
In 1948, Bill Koll, Iowa Teachers College (now UNI), was the first to win two O.W. awards at the tournament.
The first four-time finalist was Dick Hutton, Oklahoma State heavyweight, with three titles and one runner-up spot, his final year in 1949.
Penn State claimed its first NCAA title in 1953, under Coach Charlie Speidel.
In 1956, Oklahoma’s Dan Hodge became the first wrestler to capture NCAA, freestyle and Greco-Roman titles all the same year (and with 13 straight pins)!
In the 1957 tourney, Ed Peery of Pittsburgh won his third title at 123, giving the Peery family an amazing nine crowns, the most ever for one family. Father Rex won three for Oklahoma State in the 1930s and Hugh won three for Pittsburgh when Rex was the head coach there.
That same year, Simon Roberts of Iowa earned the honor of being the first African-American by winning at 147 pounds.
In 1958, Myron Roderick of Oklahoma State became the first NCAA champion to also coach a team to the title.
In 1967, Michigan State was the first Big Ten team to win the official title, under coaches Grady Peninger and Doug Blubaugh.
The first and only seven-time college champion is Gray Simons, Lock Haven State (three NCAA and four NAIA), his last pair coming in 1962. … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/03/06/celebrating-the-many-firsts-of-our-great-sport/

April 2, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Byrd Wins National Title at 133 Pounds

Press Conference // Final Brackets
PHILADELPHIA – Lucas Byrd won his first national title at 133 pounds on Saturday (March 22) at the NCAA Championships in the Wells Fargo Center. He became the 21st Fighting Illini wrestler to win a national championship and earned the program’s 25th individual national title. He’s also the program’s first NCAA Champion since now assistant coach Isaiah Martinez in 2016 and the first ever in the weight class of 133 pounds.
“I couldn’t be happier for Lucas Byrd,” said head coach Mike Poeta. “If anybody deserved to be the NCAA Champion this year, it’s him. The amount of work and sacrifice he put into this was amazing. This was not easy; it was a long journey for him, but he wrestled fantastic this weekend. He wanted to be the national champion and he went and got it, he took it. I couldn’t be prouder of him. It was pretty cool seeing him after he won in the tunnel. He had his face in his hands thinking ‘I can’t believe I’m the NCAA Champion’ because it’s that big of a deal and it hits you differently. He did an amazing job and we’re excited to add him to the storied list of national champions that we have at Illinois.”
“I’ll say the same thing I did after I won the semifinals I just have to stay where my toes are at,” said Lucas Byrd. “Me and coach Jeremy Hunter have been striking on a different level; we can speak telepathically almost and anything he tells me I have to trust. In overtime they threw the brick, I looked at Jeremy and he said we’re good we have to go neutral. I step on the line, choose neutral and I look over and see my brother yelling ‘go down, go down’. I shook my head no because I trust my coaches and they put me in the right position.’
‘It has been one hell of a journey. It has been the most exciting journeys that I’ve ever been on. … more at … https://fightingillini.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-byrd-wins-national-title-at-133-pounds.aspx

March 29, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

National Champion Penn State Crowns Two Individual Titlists to Close out 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia

Carter Starocci and Mitchell Mesenbrink claim individual titles, Josh Barr national runner-up
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.  – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team followed up clinching the NCAA team title earlier in the day by crowning two individual champions in the national finals at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Carter Starocci and Mitchell Mesenbrink both won in the national finals while freshman Josh Barr finished as NCAA runner-up.
With the titles won by Starocci and Mesenbrink, the Nittany Lions now have 61 NCAA Champions, 40 since Sanderson’s arrival as head coach (this is his 16th season at Penn State). Starocci became the first ever five-time national champion with his win. Carter Starocci was named the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament’s end and Mitchell Mesenbrink was presented with the NCAA’s season-long Most Technical Falls Award.
The Nittany Lions won the team race, clinching it early Saturday morning, with 177.0 points. Penn State finished a full 60.0 points ahead of second place Nebraska’s 117.0 The team point total of 177.0 is a new NCAA record, breaking the mark of 172.5, set by Penn State last year in Kansas City.
Penn State has now won 12 of the last 15 contest NCAA Championships (no event in 2020) and its fourth straight for the third time since Sanderson became head coach in April of 2009. Sanderson is now second in all-time NCAA history with 12 head coaching titles to his credit. The NCAA record is 15. The Nittany Lions have won the NCAA Championship in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 1953. Early in the tournament on Friday night, Penn State secured 10 All-Americans for the first time in school history, becoming only the second team in NCAA history to do so (Minnesota, 2001). All of Penn State’s 10 All-Americans placed in the top six. The Nittany Lions now have 264 All-Americans, 101 under Sanderson in just 16 seasons.
Graduate Carter Starocci, the No. 1 seed at 184, took on No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in the first match of the championship finals. The duo worked through the first minute-plus on their feet in the center circle. Starocci gained control of Keckeisen’s foot on the edge of the mat with :50 on the clock but Keckeisen was able to counter and force a stalemate at :32. … more at … https://gopsusports.com/news/2025/03/22/national-champion-penn-state-crowns-two-individual-titlists-to-close-out-2025-ncaa-wrestling-championships-in-philadelphia

March 28, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Hendrickson, Hamiti Win NCAA Titles in Thrilling Upsets

PHILADELPHIA – Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson and Dean Hamiti Jr. claimed individual titles at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships Saturday night as Hendrickson delivered a one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the NCAA tournament with a win over Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson to win the heavyweight title and Hamiti delivered an upset of his own by defeating two-time national champion Keegan O’Toole to take home the crown at 174 pounds.
The Cowboys finished in third place in the team standings with 102.5 points to mark its best finish since 2021 and highest point total since 2017. OSU’s two individual champions mark its most since 2016. “Finishing in third place, that’s pretty special because it’s not an individual thing,” coach David Taylor said. “It’s everybody. Individually, obviously those guys help you win, but you need everybody.”
As the most heavily favored wrestler in the finals, Minnesota’s Steveson entered the title bout already holding an Olympic gold medal, two Hodge Trophies, multiple NCAA titles, needing one more win complete a fourth consecutive undefeated collegiate season and with a cemented record as one of the best collegiate wrestlers ever.
Hendrickson entered with an undefeated record of his own this season, but it was his first time reaching an NCAA final.
In a thrilling match that came down to wire, Steveson scored a takedown in the first and Hendrickson followed with a quick escape and another to start the second to make it, 3-2, Steveson, entering the final period. Steveson escaped to start the third and held a 4-2 lead for a majority of the last frame. With time expiring, however, Hendrickson got to Steveson’s leg and finished a takedown with less than 20 seconds remaining to the most thunderous roar from the crowd in recent memory of the NCAA Championships. He held on in the final second to prevent a match-tying escape and came away with a 5-4 win and the most memorable moment of the 2025 wrestling season.
“I was looking at the clock and I’m squeezing him,” Hendrickson said about riding out the final 18 seconds. “I made up my mind. If he did stand up, I didn’t want to lock my hands. I don’t want to get a locked hands call, but I was squeezing. If he stands up, I’m just going to lock and pick him up and just hold him in the air for the last couple seconds, because I’m, like, ‘I have made it this far,’ and I knew I was going to win this match. I don’t care if I had to rip my arms off squeezing him. I was, like, ‘I’m holding this man down and winning this match.'”
Hamiti also produced some fireworks, upsetting Missouri’s top-seeded, undefeated, five-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion in sudden victory. The wrestlers traded escapes in the final two periods to take a 1-1 tie into overtime. … more at … https://okstate.com/news/2025/3/22/cowboy-wrestling-hendrickson-hamiti-win-ncaa-titles-in-thrilling-upsets
And … https://www.flickr.com/photos/osuathletics/54404269429/in/album-72177720324605018

March 27, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Gophers Tie for Fifth at NCAA Championships

PHILADELPHIA – Minnesota’s Gable Steveson finished as the national runner-up at heavyweight as the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships concluded Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. In the team standings, Minnesota finished tied for fifth place with 51.5 points. It’s the team’s best placement under head coach Brandon Eggum and is the best since a runner-up finish in 2014. Overall, it’s the 19th top-five finish in program history. 
Penn State won the team title with 177.0 points, followed by Nebraska (117.0), Oklahoma State (102.5) and Iowa (81.0).
Facing the second-seeded Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State, Steveson recorded the first takedown of the match and led 3-1 after one period. An escape from Hendrickson in the second period made it a 3-2 match going to the third. Starting on bottom, Steveson escaped to lead 4-2 but Hendrickson became the first opponent to take Steveson down all season when he did so with 18 seconds left for a 5-4 victory. It was Steveson’s first loss since the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Championships, a streak of 70 consecutive matches that was the second longest in program history.
In his three other trips to the NCAA Championships Steveson won national titles in 2021 and 2022 and placed third in 2019 making him the only Gopher in program history to tally four top-three finishes. Steveson ends his career with just about every accolade one can accumulate. In addition to being one of six multi-time national champions in Minnesota history, he’s also a two-time winner of the Hodge Trophy, the first five-time All-American for the Golden Gophers and the first heavyweight at any school to win four Big Ten titles. 
He boasts the best winning percentage in Gophers history with an 103-3 career record (.972), including a perfect 59-0 mark in dual competition and a 44-0 tally in Big Ten matches. Of his 104 career wins, the Apple Valley, Minn., native recorded 16 pins, 32 tech falls and 28 major decisions. … more at … https://gophersports.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-gophers-tie-for-fifth-at-ncaa-championships

March 27, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships – 4 (Before)

TDR Editor’s Notes ; We have several links to interesting stories of the events leading to the sart of the championships last weekend. Some links may require a subscription to the media outlet. There are several fine articles aabout the preparations for the championships on the Philadelphia Inquirer. The following presents an opportunity to compare what said before and the actual results.
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The Complete And Total 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Preview
A full preview, with predictions, for all 10 weight classes at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! NCAA D1 Championship weekend! It’s all going down in Philadelphia, and we’re previewing every weight class for you!
NCAA Championship BRACKETS
NCAA Rankings
Championship Team Scores Based on Seeds
Individual weight class previews: 125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184 | 197 | 285
Every article about the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships
125 Pounds
While 125 hasn’t been quite as crazy at it was last year, conference weekend flipped it on its head a bit and shook up the rankings going in NCAAs.
2024 All-Americans
1st Place – Richard Figueroa of Arizona State
2nd Place – Drake Ayala of Iowa
3rd Place – Anthony Noto of Lock Haven
4th Place – Eric Barnett of Wisconsin
5th Place – Luke Stanich of Lehigh
6th Place – Caleb Smith of Nebraska … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13956955-the-complete-and-total-2025-ncaa-wrestling-championship-preview
And …

The Best Seniors At The 2025 NCAAs Who Have Yet To Become All-Americans
Highlighting the competitors at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships who are in their last year of eligibility but have yet to earn All-American honors.
The NCAA Wrestling Championships produce a never-ending fountain of dramatic storylines of personal triumph and anguish. One thread of the complicated tapestry of sports and emotion we call the NCAA Tournament that I like to unravel involves following the progress of competitors who have qualified for their final tournament but have yet to earn All-American honors. These wrestlers are the conduits for our vicarious thrills from witnessing an athlete achieve a lifelong goal at the last possible opportunity. 
They’re fun guys to follow in the bracket is what I’m saying. 
Below you will find at least one wrestler per weight who is going for his first All-American honor in his last year of college eligibility. It’s fun to root for these guys and I encourage you to do so this weekend! 
NCAA seed is listed before each wrestler. Also, quick note that determining eligibility has never been more difficult than it is now so please holler if you notice anything amiss or missing!
125 Pounds
#24 Nick Babin, Pittsburgh

Babin wrestled the first four years of his career at Columbia and is using his final year of eligibility at Pitt as a grad transfer. A native of Emerson, NJ, Babin reached the round of 16 at the 2023 NCAAs but fell just shy of qualifying at the 2024 tourney. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13956610-the-best-seniors-at-the-2025-ncaas-who-have-yet-to-become-all-americans
And …

ESPN presents the NCAA Div. I Championships from Philadelphia, March 20-22; 3 nights of primetime wrestling & 19 hours of live coverage
Three straight nights of primetime wrestling on ESPN platforms; 19 hours of live coverage overall ESPN+ to present every match and every mat through the Medal Round on MatCast, plus simulcasts of all televised windows
Lead ESPN commentating team to feature former UFC Heavyweight Champion and NCAA Wrestling All-American Daniel Cormier and two-time NCAA champion, six-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs
ESPN’s original content series, Game On: Journey to the NCAA Championship, is streaming now on ESPN+ with wrestling episode. Television debut set for ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET on March 19
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to ESPN platforms with 19 hours of live action featuring all 640 matches from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this weekend, March 20-22. Every mat and every single match will once again be covered from start to finish, including three nights of primetime wrestling action on ESPN (Thursday, Saturday) and ESPN2 (Friday). ESPN+ coverage will feature a live MatCast viewing option, as well as simulcasts of all televised windows.
ESPN has presented the NCAA Wrestling Championships since 1980, making it one of the company’s longest-running events. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/18/espn-presents-the-ncaa-div-i-championships-from-philadelphia-march-20-22-3-nights-of-primetime-wrestling-19-hours-of-live-coverage
And …

To cap his coaching career, Penn’s Roger Reina is helping play host to the NCAA wrestling championships – Philadelphia Inquirer
The Quakers are hosting the event at the Wells Fargo Center along with Drexel and PHL Sports. Reina will become “head coach emeritus” at Penn next season.
This week, Philly is home to the biggest event in college wrestling. Here’s how it all works. – Philadelphia Inquirer
From a takedown to the different ways to earn a fall to how points are scored, this Inquirer guide takes you through the motions and what you need to know before the NCAA championships begin.
Step inside as the Wells Fargo Center prepares for the ‘demand’ of the NCAA wrestling championships – Philadelphia Inquirer
With tickets for every day of the three-day event sold out, arena officials say its the highest-demand ticket in the history of the Wells Fargo Center dating back to 1996.
President Trump will attend the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia this weekend – Philadelphia Inquirer
It will be Trump’s first visit to Pennsylvania as president since starting his second term.
The Complete And Total 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Preview – FloWrestling
A full preview, with predictions, for all 10 weight classes at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
The Best Seniors At The 2025 NCAAs Who Have Yet To Become All-Americans – FloWrestling
Highlighting the competitors at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships who are in their last year of eligibility but have yet to earn All-American honors.
ESPN presents the NCAA Div. I Championships from Philadelphia, March 20-22; 3 nights of primetime wrestling & 19 hours of live coverage – TheMat.com
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to ESPN platforms with 19 hours of live action featuring all 640 matches from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this weekend,

March 25, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

‘There’s Not Coincidences’: Taylor Leading His First Cowboy Team into the Building He Wrestled His First NCAA Championships

‘I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.’

STILLWATER — In 2011, David Taylor competed in his first NCAA Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; next week, he’ll coach at the event for the first time — in the same arena.
The parallels are made a little more eerie by the fact that Taylor’s first opponent in that 2011 tournament was Oklahoma State’s Neil Erisman (now the head coach at Little Rock), who Taylor beat 13-2. “I think timing in life, there’s not coincidences,” Taylor said Thursday. “But at the same time, it rotates, and that’s where it’s hosted this year. Pennsylvania’s wrestling, it’s rich in tradition. I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.”
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible.
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible. “I remember just being excited to compete,” said Taylor thinking back to that 2011 tournament. “What was unique about my freshman year was I just was wrestling with my hair on fire. I was looking to score the entire time. I think in the tournament, I went out with the same mentality. It cost me a little bit in the finals, but that just is what it is. I think I was excited to complete. I think that’s what our guys are — they’re excited to go out and compete.”
In his first season leading a college wrestling program, Taylor has led the Cowboys to their first outright Big 12 tournament title since 2020. … more at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/theres-not-coincidences-taylor-leading-his-first-cowboy-team-into-the-building-he-wrestled-his-first-ncaa-championships/

March 18, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Hunsberger Wins Second National Title as #8 Lander Takes Fourth at NCAA Championships

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – David Hunsberger got a takedown at the end of his 165-lb National Championship match to make it 10-2, and while those points didn’t mean much in the match as Hunsberger had all but secured his second consecutive national title, the eight-point major decision meant another point toward Lander’s team total, going along with his first-place points, putting them at 57.5 points and in sole possession of fourth place—half a point ahead of #3 Central Oklahoma for the final team trophy.
This marks the third straight season where the Bearcats have brought a team trophy back to Greenwood, finishing second in 2022 and 2023.
With his decisive 10-2 major decision, Hunsberger became the first Lander wrestler to become a two-time national champion. In his four matches, he outscored his opponents 39-11 and picked up three bonus-point wins.
His first match of the day was a little closer, however, as he entered the third period trailing to Nick Novak of St. Cloud State. But Hunsberger was able to secure a quick escape and then a takedown a few seconds later to take a 4-1 lead. Despite a late stalling penalty point against him, Hunsberger secured his spot in the finals with a 4-2 decision. The win marked the fourth straight season that Lander has had a wrestler in the final session wrestling for a national title.
In the national title match against second-seeded Jack Haskin of Lake Erie, Hunsberger got a takedown right before the first-period horn to close the first three minutes with a 3-0 lead. After a quick escape from Haskin, Hunsberger attacked quickly and earned another takedown, which made it 6-2 after another escape from Haskin going into the third period. Hunsberger chose down to start the third, but Haskin elected to go neutral, giving Hunsberger an escape point to make it 7-2. After several deep shots, Hunsberger was able to get the crucial takedown with 11 seconds on the clock to secure the major decision and a team trophy for the Bearcats.
Isham Peace and Christian Davis both fell in overtime heartbreakers in their semifinal matches. … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2025/3/15/wrestling-hunsberger-wins-second-national-title-as-8-lander-takes-fourth-at-ncaa-championships.aspx

March 17, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Indian Hills wins fifth-straight NJCAA Women’s National team title

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Indian Hills women’s wrestling team captured their fifth consecutive NJCAA National title on Saturday night at Mid-America Arena in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After the first day of action, Indian Hills sent 14 through to the semifinals, leading by 78.5 points. Sixteen athletes earned All-America honors at the tournament.
Three athletes won individual titles for the Warriors on Saturday night: Ariah Mervilus (110), Kali Hayden (180) and Kennedi Washington (235). Indian Hills had an additional four finalists advancing to the finals in Chasey Karabell (103), Emmalyn Burnett (117), Angelica Vicente (124) and Wyntergale Oxendine (207).
Iowa Western bumped up to finish second in the team race, after sitting in third through the first day of action. Mia Siqueiros (103), Rosalia Rubio (117) and Ayana Fletcher (160) won titles for Iowa Western in the championship round. In addition to the three champions, four secured All-America honors.
In fourth place was Snow, scoring 173 team points, and two finalists in Rachel Jones (110) and Isabella Morgan (145). Rounding out the top five was Southeast, with 145 team points. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/08/indian-hills-wins-fifth-straight-njcaa-women-s-national-team-title
And …

Indian Hills earns first NJCAA men’s team title in program history
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Indian Hills secured the team title at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships inside Mid-America Arena on Saturday night. The team totaled 182 points with nine earning All-America honors.
This is the first team title for the Indian Hills Warriors in history. The program has existed for just five years. The team entered the tournament ranked second in the nation behind No. 1 Western Wyoming.
Gavyn Whitehead (141) and Andrew Marquez (197) were the two individual champions for Indian Hills. Whitehead, seeded No. 4 in the 133lb bracket, defeated Dmitri Alarcon of Western Wyoming in sudden victory in the finals on Saturday night. Marquez, seeded No. 2, bested Coen Grimm of Iowa Central in the championship match.
Clackamas placed second with 141.5 points, as Ane’e Vigil (125) and Gavin Bauder (133) won individual titles.
Western Wyoming, the defending NJCAA National Champions, finished in third place with 137.5 points. Dmarian Lopez won the title at 285 pounds in sudden victory over Jeisser Sampson-Sanchez of Fort Hays Tech. Lopez finished third in last year’s tournament.
Rounding out the top five in the team race was Fort Hays Tech with 125.5 points, and Iowa Central with 116.5 points. Fort Hays Tech was backed by three individual champions: Job Lee (157), Otgonbayar Batsuuri (174) and Lazaro Crespo (184). … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/08/indian-hills-earns-first-njcaa-team-title-in-program-history

March 13, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment