Wrestlers Ready for Nationals
Seven Alfred State wrestlers have traveled to Allen, TX to compete in the 2017 NCWA National Championships. The Pioneers enter the championship ranked 9th in Division I of the NCWA.
George Van Valen (Ithaca) is the highest ranked Pioneer heading into the tournament. Van Valen is ranked #2 in the 184 lb. bracket. He won the championship title at the USCAA Championships and at the Northeast Conference Championships 35-6. Last season, Van Valen finished 4th in the 174 lb. weight class.
In his first match at Nationals, Van Valen will wrestle Luis Jauregui from Cal State Fresno.
Tristan Almeter (Iroquois) enters the tournament with a 18-10 overall record after winning the title at the Northeast Conference Championships. He is ranked #7 and will take on Thomas Thacker (Utah State) in his opening match.
Konnor Kremer (Horseheads) is 27-10 on the season and enter nationals ranked #9 in the 174 lb. weight class. He matches up with the winner of a first round match between Osvaldo Gonzales (Grays Harbor) and Javiair White (Rutgers Wrestling Club).
Jeffrey Andrews (Randolph) is 11-9 on the season after joining the team after the conclusion of football season. He will take on #20 Tyler Burris (Grays Harbor) in his opening match in the heavyweight bracket.
Brandyn Whitacre (Jamestown) enter the tournament with a 14-13 overall mark in the 197 lb. weight class. He will battle the #13 seed Harold Brown (Texas-Arlington) in his first match.
Mitchell Latucca (Lancaster) is 18-15 on the season and will wrestling #7 ranked Isiah Taltoan (Williamson Trade) in his opening match in the 235 lb. bracket.
Patrick Lehman (Marathon) will compete in the 125 lb. weight class and will take on Daniel Ball (Florida State) in his opening match of the tournament.
Action is slated to begin on Thursday at 10 a.m. and will run all the way until Saturday afternoon when the championship rounds are competed. Follow the action of the 20th anniversary of the NCWA Championships at: http://arena.flowrestling.org/event/1f2600ff-1918-4305-8b62-feeebb3d9ea2
The Pioneers finished 10th at the 2016 NCWA National Championships.
