Cartland Allen Punched Ticket to National Championship
DES MOINES, IA – Cartland Allen punched his ticket to the NAIA National Tournament in Topeka, Kan., on March 4-5 with his third place finished in the Central Region Qualifier. Allen led three total players who marked top six finishes.
Automatic berths to the 2016 NAIA Wrestling National Championships, presented by USA Wrestling-Kansas were up for grabs today in the 2016 NAIA National Qualifiers. The top three finishers in each of the area's ten weight classes claim one of the 180 automatic spots to the national championships, which will take place at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan., on March 4 – 5.
The remainder of the expanded 240-man field will be filled with at-large individuals. Each of the six qualifying groups receives five wildcards, which are chosen by the coaches at the post-qualifier meeting, while the remaining 30 are determined by a national selection committee. Up to 15 nominations from each area will be considered by the national committee.
Head Coach Zack Mullin said, "We are excited o have another qualifier and to have Cartland return to nationals for the second time! The team battled all day and did a great job representing our University. Even though we didn't get the overall result we have been working for, these young men should be very proud. I am certainly proud of all of them."
Cartland Allen had the highest finish for the Jackets, qualifying for the national tournament at 133lb following his third place finish today.
Allen received a bye to start the day, before pinning Colby Walters (BU) in the next round (Fall 6:42). His next dual against Gresh Jones (DSU) was close. Jones edged out Allen by decision (3-1). Moving into the other half of the bracket, he then faced off with Staurt Brandt (JU), overcoming him by major decision (14-0) to advance to the third place match.
Allen completed his day winning by medical forfeit over Missouri Valley's Zachary Durbin.
Kruz Adamson also posted a successful day for the Jackets. He finished 5th overall at 125lbs, and will be considered for a national at large bid.
Adamson received a bye to open the day, before falling in the second round to Anthony Lock (DSU) by decision (9-5). After moving to the consolation bracket, Mann received back-to-back byes. He then wrestled Logan McDowell of Baker. McDowell won by fall (1:58).
The loss moved him to the 5th place match where again Adamson would face McDowell. This time, Adamson would be victorious winning by decision (4-0).
Rounding out the Yellowjackets top six performances was Will Samuels. He marked a sixth place finish at 285lbs.
The freshman from Kansas City, MO was granted a bye in the opening round. He then faced off with Dixie State University's Ethan Goss-Dickie. Goss-Dickie claimed the match by fall (2:22).
In the consolation bracket, Samuels pinned Ron Broyles of Benedictine College (fall 3:49), before claiming the next match against Dallas Knoop (WF) by fall as well (2:44).
Samuels then wrestled against Missouri Valley College's Justin Smith. Smith defeated him by major decision (10-2).
Moving into the fifth place match, Samuels matched-up again against DSU's Goss-Dickie. Goss-Dickie won the match-up by decision (12-6).
For complete Yellowjacket results, click here.
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