San Juan, Puerto Rico  - The men's wrestling team came away with a 9th place finish and two All-American wrestlers at this weekends NCWA National Championships. Elijah Gandert (Sumner HS) and Ian Campbell (Kalama HS) both placed at the 141 pound weight class.  

Gandert dominated early on with victories over Paul Pebly of Slippery Rock University with a pin in :32 seconds. He then decisioned Jacob Sandoval of University of Florida 10-3 and Braeden Ambleside (Penn State WC) 12-1. In the semifinal match he knocked off Kahlil Shabazz from Springfield Tech 11-4.

The finals was a non stop action filled match with another University of Florida wrestler, Alfonso Vargas. The bout saw five lead changes during the 3 rounds. Gandert scored an escape point late in the third round to force sudden victory. Early in the overtime action both wrestlers came close to scoring but were able to scramble to get out of danger. It looked as if Gandert was on the verge of a takedown but once again a wild scramble ensued with Vargas being able to prevail and Gandert dropping the heart breaking match to place 2nd.

The Chokers other medalist, Ian Campbell placed 8th. Campbell won his opening round match against Chase Whartnaby of Williamson College of the Trades 19-6. He then dropped his next match to the #1 seed from Ohio State WC 8-2.  Campbell then knocked off his next three opponents to clinch a spot on the podium.  Campbell ended up going 4-3 over the three days of competition to place eighth.

Other Chokers competing were: 125 Dorian Tollenaar 2-2, 133 Jeremy Roberts 3-2, 149 Austin Cleland 3-2, 149 Bo Davis 3-2, Diego Enriquez 0-2, 165 Karter Kares 3-2, 174 Elijah Fisher 3-2, 184 Darrien Walters 3-2, 197 Diego Tapia 4-2, 197 Seth Brown 1-2,  235 Jonathan Jerome 0-2, 235 Ryan Debevec 2-2, and 285 Alexander Perez went 2-2.

The Chokers were recognized at the conclusion of the finals for having the top men's and women's wrestling program in the country with the presentation of the Collegiate Cup. The NCWA has a season long running score that recognizes the top overall male and female programs in the country. Points are awarded based on team placings at the National and Regional Duals as well as the National Championships. Liberty University has consistently won the award with the Chokers coming in 2nd and 3rd the last two championships. It was a close race again this year but the Chokers were able clinch the title with the men's team 9th place finish and the women's team taking 2nd in the respective divisions.

Men's Team Standings
1 Bellarmine 206.5
2 Liberty 189.5
3 Apprentice 135
4 Springfield Tech 133.5
5 Grand Valley State 131
6 Toledo 99.5
7 Ohio State WC 94
8 Central Florida 92.5
9 Grays Harbor 78.5
10 Florida 70.5
11 Rowan 63-
12 Slippery Rock 54.5
13 Dubuque WC 51
14 Allen 50.5
15 UConn 50
16 Washington State 46
17 Texas A&M 44
18 Penn State WC 41.5
19 Rutgers WC 39.5
20 Maine Maritime Academy 39
(of 73 teams)

Collegiate Cup Placings 
1 Grays Harbor 
2 Liberty 
3 The Apprentice School 
4 Washington State University 
5 Rowan University