Van Valen Advances to the Finals

Alfred State junior George Van Valen (Ithaca) will wrestle for the championship of the 184 lb. weight class on Saturday after winning two matches on day two of the NCWA Championships. 

In the quartefinals of the 184 lb. bracket, Van Valen recorded a tech fall victory, 15-0, over DJ Morrow (Grays Harbor). In a one-point match in the semifinals, he earned a 2-1 victory over River Robertson (Maine) to advance to the finals. 

Van Valen will wrestle Cody Chaney from Emmanuel in the finals. Chaney was ranked #1 while Van Valen is ranked #2. Van Valen finished 4th at the NCWA's last year in the 174 lb. weight class. 

Tristan Almeter (Iroquois) won two of his three matches in the consolation of the 165 lb. bracket. He defeated Jacob Yatso (Wisconsin Wrestling Club) 19-8 and then won 8-4 over Thomas Hatzipavlides (Penn State Wrestling Club) to advance to the consolation quartefinals. His tournament came to an end following a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Trace Thome (Florida).

Konnor Kremer (Horseheads) and Brandyn Whitacre (Jamestown) started the day in the quarterfinals and both were defeated in the quartefinals. Both also lost tight consolation quarterfinal matches. Kremer lost a one-point thriller, 10-9 to Jarrod Smiley (Central Florida) while Whitacre lost a 9-7 decision to Ron Spera (James Madison).

The Pioneers are currently in 11th place with 60 points. There are 99 teams in the competition.

Van Valen will return to the mat tomorrow when the finals are wrestled starting at 3 p.m.