The nationally ranked Ithaca College wrestling team repeated as NCAA Northeast Regional Champions on Feb. 28, after the South Hill squad recorded 144 points to beat out Roger Williams University for the title.
The Bombers will return to the National Championships for the 33rd straight time in the program’s history, as six members of the team will represent them at the tournament March 11–12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Wrestlers needed to finish third or higher in their weight groups in order to receive a bid for the national championship.
Junior Nick Velez was the only individual champion for the Bombers at the tournament, capturing the 165 lbs crown with a 4–0 decision over Roger Williams junior Alec Golner.
Sophomore Bryan Israel, junior Carlos Toribio and senior Dan Glinko finished second at the 133 lbs, 184 lbs and 285 lbs bouts.
Junior captain Jimmy Kaishian, who placed first at last year’s 125 lbs championship, snagged a third-place finish to send him to NCAA National Championships along with his fellow teammates. It will be Kaishian’s third straight appearance.
Kaishian lost his first match on Sunday and was forced to move up through the consolation side of the bracket in order to capture the elusive third place he needed to get in.
Freshman Jake Ashcraft was the only first-year student representing the Bombers this weekend, finishing fifth in the 197 lbs bout.
Also taking individual hardware back to the South Hill was head coach Marty Nichols, who received the Coach of the Year award, and assistant coach Seth Ecker, who earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
The Blue and Gold will seek their fourth national championship March 11–12 when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the NCAA National Championships.
