Sponsored by Mercyhealth
Nicholas Mason and Bryan LaVearn punched their tickets to the NCAA Division II National Championships with strong showings at the Super Region 3 Championships hosted by Tiffin University in the Heminger Center on Feb. 27.
Mason (197 pounds) won his third region championship and will look to defend his 2019 National Championship after not getting the chance last winter due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He will be joined by LaVearn (165), who will also be making his third trip to the national stage.
For Mason, it was a powerhouse showing, as he won all his matches by fall. He beat Notre Dame in 1:46, Lake Erie in 3:37, and West Liberty in 2:50.
LaVearn earned his trip the hard way. After beating Davenport by pin in 1:01, he fell to Lake Erie in a 8-4 tiebreaker. He then proceeded to win three matches in the consolation rounds, downing Ashland by fall in 1:04, Indianapolis 6-1, and, in a true second place match, West Liberty by fall in 3:51.
Overall West Liberty won the event with 95.5 points, followed by Ashland with 89.5. Lake Erie was third with 69, UIndy had 57.5, and Notre Dame had 45. Tiffin was 6th with 42.5 points.
Three other Dragons reached the semifinals but could get no further.
Branden Mendoza (125) opened with a dramatic 4-2 tiebreaker win over Findlay but then fell in the semis to West Liberty 12-1. He then fell 6-1 to Glenville State to end his day.
Hunter Langeloh (157) beat Notre Dame 10-5 to get to the semifinals, but then fell to Findlay by fall in 3:27 and Ashland in a close one 7-5.
David Henson (285) also opened with a pin in 3:38 over Findlay but then lost to Ashland 7-1 and Notre Dame 5-3.
Two other Dragons lost early but battled back, reaching the consolation semifinals before bowing out.
Bryce Allison (133) lost 5-1 to Findlay but then bounced back with a 3-1 win over Ashland. Allison then fell to Indianapolis in a razor thin 7-6 decision.
Matthew Zuckerman (141) opened with a 15-2 loss to Indianapolis but rebounded with a 5-3 score over Lake Erie. He then fell 5-3 to Ashland.