photo: Sophomore Jake Himes
Penn State DuBois wrestlers complete season at NCWA Championships
March 17, 2014
Coach Matt Park and assistant Josh Knapp traveled to Allen, TX with 10 wrestlers to compete in the NCWA National Championships host at the Allen Civic Center just north of Dallas. The PSUD Team finished in 21st place as a team with 21 points, team champions Grand Canyon University (254.5 pts.) ran away with the title putting 7 wrestlers into the finals with 4 individual champions and 3 runner-up finishes. The battle for 2nd place was between Liberty University (171.5) and Shorter College (162.5); Central Florida finished strong taking 4th with 122 points.
PSU DuBois was led by Mid-East Conference champion Logan Shirey at 184lbs. Logan finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. Logan won his first match with a 1st period fall over Wil Robinson of Fort Collins, lost his 2nd bout to Jack Wedholm of Army Prep Acad 11-2. He rebounded with a 6-2 decision over Alec Warner from PSU Mont Alto and was eliminated from competition by 2nd period fall at the hands of Staben Cervantes of Navy Prep Academy.
The other Penn State DuBois wrestler's results were as follows: Brett Himes (125lbs.) 0-2, Austin Sheibley (133lbs.) 1-2, Jake Himes (157lbs.) 2-2, Joe Knarr (165lbs.) 0-2, Matt Rivera (174lbs) 1-2, Ryan Terwilliger (174lbs) 1-2, Nate Rodgers (197lbs) 1-2, Tim Suydan (235lbs) 2-2, and Andrew Bigley (285lbs) 0-2.
Coach Park stated "I am pleased with overall improvement of the wrestlers from early October, this is a long season and we battled through injures and stayed focus on getting better each day. Nine of the 10 wrestlers will be back next year; this championship tournament gives the guys an idea of what it takes to earn All-American honors. The level of completion at the NCWA championships is very tough, we will return better prepared and guys will be working on getting on the podium".
In five seasons the Penn State DuBois team has built a sound foundation and continues to grow and improve under the Leadership of Coach Park and Coach Knapp. Coach Park commented " We have great kids who are getting it done in the classroom and doing all the little things right, I am grateful that Penn State DuBois is giving these students an opportunity to compete at this level".