COLLEGE: WOODRUFF INTO D3 REGIONALS SEMIFINALS (February 27, 2026)

BY BRYAN SEYMOUR
Northern Tier Sports Report
Postseason is here for college wrestling. The Division III Regional tournaments are taking place this weekend. Wyalusing’s Nick Woodruff and Penn College are in region 2, taking place in Ithaca, NY.  Sullivan County’s Cruz McCusker and Misericordia are at the Region III Championships in New Jersey. 
    
Starting in the round of 16 as the third seed, Woodruff opened with the 19th seed, Kevin Arriaza of Oswego State. Scoring the first takedown of the match to take a 3-0 lead. Woodruff would later work to earn four back points to take a 7-0 lead before earning the fall in 2:12 to move into the quarterfinals.  
     
In the quarterfinal round, Woodruff faced the sixth seed Ivan Neal of Lycoming College. After a scoreless first period, it was Woodruff choosing the down position. Scoring a two-point reversal and working to put his opponent to his back, Woodruf again with the fall in 4:17 to move into the semi-finals. 
    
Ending his day going 2-0, Woodruff will face the second seed, Carson Licastri of Oneonta State, with a chance to move to the finals and secure his birth to the Division III National Championships. Woodruff needs one win tomorrow to secure his trip to nationals. 
    
In the round of 16, McCusker, the 24 seed, opened against Blaise Verdino of Ursinus, the 25 seed. It would be McCusker finding himself trailing 3-0 after the first period. McCusker deferred his choice and started the second period on top, where he would ride for the entire period. 

In the third, McCusker chose the bottom position where he would earn the one-point escape to cut the lead to 3-1. However, he would surrender the second takedown and earn one more escape to make the score 6-3, adding in the ride time point. 
    
In the Consi round 3, McCusker faced Maximus Conley of Albright College. It would be McCusker falling behind after the first period, 3-1, before tying it up after two periods at 4-4. With an escape and a ride time point, McCusker wins by a 6-4 score.
    
In the Consi round 4, McCusker saw Caiden Heller of Messiah. McCusker loses by fall in 1:58 to end his postseason run, going 1-2 on the day. 

Print Friendly Version