The Marian University Ancilla wrestling team saw four individuals qualify for the NJCAA National Championships, so they traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they participated Friday and Saturday, March 1st & 2nd. Sophomores Chris Bullock (133-pound division), Bryan Chavero (141-pound division), and Reece Hamblen (157-pound division), joined Freshman Dennis Weston (285-pound division) on the trip. Below is a look at their individual performances over the weekend.
Chris Bullock (133): Chris began as the #10 seed in his division, therefore he drew a bye in the opening round of 64. In the round of 32, he fell to Chanry Morm of Trinidad State College (OK) and was moved into the consolation bracket. In his first consolation bracket matchup, Chris pinned Daniel Vines of Cloud College (KS). He then faced the #13 seed, Andre Giurini of Triton College (IL), losing that match 13-3. Overall, Chris' performance placed him in the Top-20 in his weight division.
Bryan Chavero (141): Bryan began the event unseeded, however, he still drew a bye to begin the event. In the round of 32, he lost to the #12 seed, Kyle Lewis of Northeastern Junior College (CO), 19-4. Moving on to the consolation bracket, Bryan bounced back and won his opening match 11-3 over Samuel Lemp of Harper College (IL). He finished with a 19-4 loss to Hunter Elmer of Northwest Kansas Technical College. Bryan's performance also placed him in the Top-20 in his weight division, plus he was named an Academic All-American for the second year.
Reece Hamblen (157): Reece's weekend also began with a bye as an unseeded participant, but he then had to face #2 seed Darnai Heard of Iowa Central College in the round of 32, falling 17-2. Heard ended up as the 157-pound National Champion. In his first consolation match, Reece pinned Griffin Jones of Union College (NY) early in the first period to advance. He then had another first period pinning of Kristian Orloff of Minnesota North College-Itasca. Reece then lost 11-3 in the consolation round of 8 to the #13 seed, Kace Cook of Niagara College (NY). Reece's performance placed him in the Top-16 in his weight division, and he was also named an Academic All-American for the second consecutive year.
Dennis Weston (285): Dennis began the event unseeded as well, and he began with a bye in the round of 64. In the round of 32, Dennis faced #15 seed Peyton Wentzel of the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (PA), pinning him to advance. The round of 16 was much tougher, as Dennis now took on #2 seed Cody Pinkerton of Northwest College (WY). Pinkerton finished as the 285-pound National Runner-Up. Dennis couldn't escape a second period pin, so he had to advance to the consolation bracket, where he would meet Treyshawn White of Indian Hills Community College. Unfortunately, White ended Dennis' run, but Dennis also finished in the Top-20 in his weight division and was named an Academic All-American.
Overall, the Marian University Ancilla wrestling team finished 30th out of 58 teams in attendance, which is the best performance in program history!! Congratulations to all four of our wrestlers who made it to Nationals, and the athletic department thanks you for representing the program, the athletic department, and MUAC well!!
