Wrestlers Take 2nd at Nationals

Lindsay Schneider - 3/17/2008

The Newman University Wrestling Team finished its season March 15 with a runner-up finish at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships in Lakeland, Fla. The Jets missed the No. 1 spot by only 10 points to returning national champion Grand Valley State University. Nine Newman Jets earned All-American status at the championship tournament.

“The wrestling team performed in an outstanding manner,” said Newman Head Wrestling Coach Mark Stovall. “Every member on the team contributed points by winning matches that enabled us to take the second place finish. I’m very proud of these young men who put in such hard work throughout the season. There’s no better reward as a coach than to see these student-athletes perform at this level and give so much to the team.”

Freshman Josh Fansler from Ponca City, Okla., was the lone champion of the team, claiming the title in the 184 lbs. category by pinning his opponent in his final match. Isaac Wall, Clay Goodloe and Florian Temengil all made it to the championship finals but failed to win their final matches. Wall, a junior from Andover, Kan., fell to the returning national champion at 125 lbs. by a tight score of 6-5. Goodloe, a junior from Plano, Texas, lost 8-6 in overtime in the 149 lb. category championship finals. In the heavyweight category, junior Temengil from Dallas, Texas, also lost in overtime to the returning national champion in his final match-up by a score of 7-5.

Four Jets wrestlers placed 7th at the tournament: John Hagan (125 lbs.) of Wichita; Jayme Hoover (149 lbs.) of Salina, Kan.; Curtis Chenoweth (174 lbs.) of Clearwater, Kan., and Zach Hanford (Heavyweight) of Jenks, Okla. James Fox of Wichita placed 8th after an injury forced him to default to his last opponent of the tournament.

Also qualifying for the tournament, but not earning a spot on the podium were Kyle Oyler (133 lbs.) of Hutchinson, Kan.; Jake Johnston (157 lbs.) of Wichita; Aeron Hill (157 lbs.) of Dallas, Texas; Steven Sprague (165 lbs.) of Tahlequah, Okla., and Nate Alvarez (165 lbs.) of Salina, Kan.

This is the last year the Jets will participate in the NCWA as they make the move to NCAA Division II next year.