An outstanding season for the No. 9 ranked bombers ended in an outstanding way with a sixth-place finish at nationals March 6. Five of the seven wrestlers sent to the meet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa finished with All-American status, by finishing within the top eight of his respective weight class.

Sophomore Blaine Woszczak placed the highest on the team, finishing fourth in the 149 pound class. In the opening round, he defeated Muhlenberg College’s Robert Klein, who was the sixth seed by a score of 3¬–2. In his next bout, he lost 7–3 to third-seeded Paul LeBlanc of SUNY-Cortland. In consolations, he won his first two matches, one against the top-seed, but lost to Jacob Naig of Wartburg College in the third-place match.

Freshman Seth Ecker had the second best finish for Ithaca in the tournament, placing sixth at 125 pounds. He advanced all the way to the semi-finals, but lost to top-seed Jake Oster of Elmhurst College in overtime 8–6. He lost in the consolation semifinals and in the fifth-place bout.

The three other Ithaca All-Americans all placed eighth in their respective classes. Senior John Paxos (141 pounds), junior tri-captain Chad Winowich (133 pounds) and junior Willie Horwath (157 pounds) all received the honor.

The Bombers’ two other participants at nationals were sophomore David Priest at 174 pounds and freshman Chris Carabello at 197 pounds. Both wrestlers lost their opening round match and first consolation match.

The conclusion of nationals ends the 2008-09 season for the Blue and Gold. They finished ranked No. 9 in the country, sixth at nationals, Empire Conference Champions and had 14–1 dual meet record.