NCCC grapplers compete at National Tourney
Niagara County Community College had all 10 of its starting grapplers compete at last week's NJCAA Wrestling Championships at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sophomore Steve Liebler advanced to the quarterfinals before bowing out, while freshman Matt Ash earned three wins in the consolation bracket.
The Thunderwolves finished with 26 team points, which was good for 19th place. Clackamas won the team title for the third consecutive year as it racked up 152.5 points.
125: Freshman Matt Ash went 3-2 with a trio of pinfalls. Ash pinned Karsten Johnson (Iowa Lakes), Mac Martinez (Otero) and Dalen Moore (Northeastern Oklahoma). Ash finished the year with a 9-5 record, including five pins.
133: Freshman Zach Ash was 2-2 at Nationals, including a tech fall over Karden Lee (Labette) and a major decision vs. Enrique Jaime (Umpqua). Ash was 5-5 on the year with a pair of technical falls.
141: Freshman Cole French finished 0-2 at the event and was 1-6 on the season.
149: Freshman Nikalis Voelker went 1-2 with a forfeit victory vs. Noah Kliesen (Colby). Voekler went 3-7 this season.
157: Sophomore David Crow was 1-2 with a pin of Devan Martin (Ellsworth). Crow ended the year with a 7-2 record.
165: Sophomore Tommy Berner also went 1-2 with a pin of Logan Valente (Henry Ford). Berner was 5-4 on the year.
174: Sophomore Jacob Mancuso pinned Hadi Mashadi (Triton) to finish with a 1-2 record. He was 3-6 on the season.
184: Sophomore Steve Liebler earned tight decisions over Jesus Gutierrez (Iowa Central) and Deston Miller (Pratte), but finished just 2-2 after an early injury hindered him. Liebler was a team-best 11-2 with four pins and three tech falls.
197: Sophomore Josh Thibeault also finished 2-2 with a tech fall over Tristen Wilson (RCTC) and a decision vs. Hugo Harp (Iowa Central). Thibeault was 8-2 and named Region III Most Outstanding Wrestler.
285: Freshman Maurice Jackson was 0-2, but had a 5-4 mark for the year. All five of his wins came via pinfall.