NCCC wins 22nd regional championship

Host Niagara County Community College had eight finalists and three champions on its way to the Northeast District I Championship on Sunday afternoon. The title doubles as the program's 22nd Region III crown - by far the most among regional competitors. The Thunderwolves finished with 140.5 points, while runner-up Nassau Community College had 112.5 points. All eight NCCC finalists will advance to the NJCAA Championships, which are scheduled for March 1-2 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

NCCC freshman Greg Quinn had two pinfalls to win the 125-pound title, sophomore Freddy Eckles went 3-0 with a pair of pins at 141 pounds and classmate Michael Phelps won a tight 10-4 match to bring home the 165-pound championship. Runners-up for NCCC included: sophomore C.J. Walz (133), freshman Katrell Jackson (149), freshman Anthony Bell (157), sophomore Sergio Crespo (184) and freshman Anthony Robinson (285). 

NCCC head coach Keith Maute was named the Northeast District I Coach of the Year and Jamestown Community College's Dan Torres (174) earned the event's Most Outstanding Wrestler award.