Jim Heath
RICHARDSON, TEXAS “Depth proves to be the big edge for the University of Central Florida as they won individual championships in the last three weight classes to repeat as National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) national champions on Saturday night at the University of Texas-Dallas.
The Golden Knights scored 171 points to register a 12-point victory over two-time runner-up Grand Valley State University. The Apprentice School took third with 111.5 points while Blair Academy (62) and Newberry College (58.5) rounded out the top five.
For UCF, Todd Hauser repeated as national champion at 197 pounds with a 6-3 decision over Robert Aikens from Grand Valley. Tom Lawlor finished his stellar career with a three-peat at 235 pounds defeating Jon Stolle from Grand Valley 9-4. Freshman Jarren Williams started his trail of championships for UCF with a 7-4 victory at heavyweight over Craig Penzien of Grand Valley.
Blair Academy took home one individual title with Brendan Byrne winning at 133 pounds over Zach Thone of New Hampshire 11-8, while Newberry’s Quinn Tolbert edged conference rival Eric Lybarger of The Apprentice School 3-2 at 174 for their first ever national champion.
Central Florida placed in the top six in nine of the 11 weight classes and recorded ten All-American honors to match Grand Valley with the most All-American honors in the tournament.
NCWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
at University of Texas-Dallas in Richardson, Texas
Team Scores:
Central Florida 171; Grand Valley State 159; Apprentice School 111.5; Blair Academy 62; Newberry 58.5; New Hampshire 51.5; Maryville 51; Pensacola Christian 50.5; Douglas 49; Kansas State 47; Northampton CC 43.5; Ohio State 40; Mott CC 39.5; Miami 38.5; Santa Fe CC 34.5; US Air Force Prep 33; Georgia 29; Auburn 26; Middle Tennessee State 24.5; Toledo 22.5; UT-Dallas 22.5; Texas Tech 17.5; Catawba 16.5; Marion Military 14.5; Colorado 14.5; Adirondack CC 14.5; Cincinnati 13.5; Florida A&M 13; Tidewater CC 13; Maryland-Baltimore County 9.5; UC San Diego 8.5; Lafayette 6; Luzerne CC 6; Mercer 6; Valley Forge 5.5; Frostburg State 5; South Florida 4.5; Yale 4.5; San Jose State 3.5; Tulane 3.5; Clemson 3; Bucknell 3; Rhode Island 2.5; Southern Va. 2; Northeastern 1.5; Kansas 1; RPI 1; Alabama, TCU, Florida State 0; Va. Commonwealth (-1).
Wrestling Gear
