BY BRYAN SEYMOURNorthern Tier Sports Report
Making the trip to Iowa was Wyalusing’s Nick Woodruff, along with some Penn College teammates. Making this trip means they are wrestling at the Division III National Championships.
Woodruff opened today’s action against AJ Frescura of North Central in the championship preliminaries. It was Woodruff coming out on top with the 7-4 decision to move on to the next round, where he faces 4th seed Cal Dorota of Wartburg. Another win for Woodruff by a 1-0 decision.
In the championship quarterfinals, Woodruff faced the 5th seed Ethan Winkelman of Augsburg. Woodruff takes the loss by fall at 5:14 to fall to the consolation round. Woodruff needs one more win to get into the medal round and All-American status. Woodruff will face Gabe Monroe of the United States Coast Guard in what is known as the blood round in wrestling.
Taking to the mat against Monroe in the blood round, Woodruff took the 7-0 lead going into the second period. Woodruff defers his choice to the third period. Monroe chooses neutral. Monroe gets a takedown and continues to work from his feet. Working his way back into the match, Woodruff would find himself leading 9-6 before being taken down and put to his back. Woodruff ends his tournament by fall in 4:39.
Woodruff ends his first trip to Division III Nationals with a 2-2 record.
