Winona, MN-
All five wrestling squads from the Minnesota College Athletic Conference have student-athletes competing at the 2019-20 NJCAA Wrestling National Championships, held at Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 6-7. After one day of competition, several standouts are still on track for either a national championship or consolation championship in various weight classes.
For the most in-depth coverage of the 2019-20 NJCAA Wrestling National Championships, fans, families and followers from around the MCAC should head to NJCAA Wrestling Championship website, found at: https://www.njcaawrestlingcb.com/tournament.asp
North District champion Rochester Community & Technical College leads the way for the five MCAC programs, with several Yellowjackets still alive in the competition.
After a first round loss, Francis Fuenffinger has racked up two wins in a row at the 125 weight class and will face Brandon Escobar of Nassua later today in the consolation bracket.
In the 133 lbs. bracket, Northland's Payton Jackson and Rochester's Parker Dobrocky are both on the consolation side of the bracket with the opportunity to continue competing today. Jackson will face Jack Karsetter of Labette, while Dobrocky will take on Dominic Todaro of St. Claire.
Auston Hall has started strong for RCTC, claiming two wins on Friday and finds himself still on track for the National Champion slot at 141 lbs.; Hall faces Scott Cook of Ellsworth in his next match. Minnesota West student-athlete Eliot Jurries will wrestle in the consolation bracket today against Van Bray from Northwest Community College.
Brandon Kidd, Jr. is another Yellowjacket who has a path to the national championship; wresting at 149 lbs., Kidd will face Frankie Gissendanner (Niagara) to start today and is just three wins away from the national title at 149 lbs.
The 165 lbs. bracket has two MCAC standouts still competing. Rochester's Seth Brossard, the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2019-20 MCAC Wrestling season, is working his way to the championship platform and will face Beau Bradley of Clackamas to start today. Itasca Community College student-athlete Austin Voss is on the consolation side of the bracket and will seek to extend his season against Izaiah Duran of North Idaho.
Jeremiah Colon (Rochester) will seek the 174 lb. national title today and will open up against Porter Fox, of Northwest Community College. Colon has racked up two wins so far in the 2019-20 National Championships.
RCTC student-athlete Gavin Christofferson and Dalton Bernett (Itasca) will both continue to wrestle in the 184 lbs. Division today. Christofferson is on track for a national championship opportunity with a 2-0 record so far; Bernett is alive in the consolation bracket and will face Reldon Miller (NIACC). Christofferson will see Rozell Baker of Ellsworth in his next match.
Rochester's Richard Hammonds has reached the quarterfinals of the 197 lbs Division and will wrestle North Idaho's Micah Tynanes to start his Saturday. With a win, Hammonds would face the winner of Curtis Thomas (Rowan)/Tucker Tomlinson (Western Wyoming) in the semi-finals.
Northland Community & Technical College - the runner-up team at the 2019-20 North District Tournament - will pin their national championship hopes on Andre Baguma, wrestling in the 285 lbs. weight class. Baguma has a shot at the national title after picking up a win over Darius Wilkins of Pratt Institute yesterday. He will open up his Saturday against JJ Perez (Southwestern Oregon).
The 2019-20 NJCAA Wrestling National Championships information, including website and live-stream details, are available at: https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wrest/2019-20/national_championship/index
For current NJCAA Wrestling Team Rankings, go to: http://www.njcaa.org/sports/wrest/polls
The NJCAA Wrestling Twitter feed is at: https://twitter.com/NJCAAWrestling
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, as well as select member colleges in North Dakota and Wisconsin.
The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.
Be sure to follow our MCAC Facebook and Twitter feeds @MCACSports
OUR PURPOSE
The Marine Corps defends the people of the United States at home and abroad. To do that, we make Marines who win our Nation's battles and return as quality citizens.
Our Mission
To be the best Sports Company in the World.
YOUR SPORTING GOODS PARTNER
When you want your team to look as good as they play, trust the experts at Nicklasson Athletic Company. With more than 80 years of combines sales expertise, NAC is on your team with the latest, most innovative apparel and products to help your team, school, corporation or organization look and play their best. When you look great, you play great.