It was the culmination of a magnificent career for 285 pound senior Garrett Gray, as he captured the first ever NCAA Wrestling Championship for Tiffin University at the NCAA National Wrestling Championships in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gray simply dominated everyone at the Championship, pinning three of his four opponents 83 seconds or less. After a pin in 54 seconds against Kutztown and a 3-2 win over St. Cloud State on day one, Gray reached the championship round with a pin in 1:17 over Augustana.
In the championship, Gray took on freshman Kameron Teacher from Notre Dame (Ohio). Gray wasted little time, using an opening by Teacher to throw him to his back and pin him in just 1:23.
"I can't imagine a better way to end this season," Gray said. "I had a rough finish to the year last year but we hit the reset this year. The coaches worked with me and got me in a groove."
Gray also was a post tournament honoree, winning the Most Falls award with 19 on the season.
Overall TU finished 9th of 42 teams, totaling 34.5 points. Notre Dame won the overall crown with 103.5 points, while Ashland ended up 6th and Findlay 8th.
Michael Screptock also placed 6th overall. After two wins on the opening day, he fell to Nebraska-Kearney 6-1 and St. Cloud State 8-2. In the fifth place match he dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to Lake Erie.
2017 NCAA Division II Championships Results for Tiffin
141 - Trey Grine (29-11) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Darren Wynn (McKendree) 36-8 won by decision over Trey Grine (Tiffin) 29-11 (Dec 13-8)
Cons. Round 1 - Joseph Alessandro (Seton Hill) 15-7 won by decision over Trey Grine (Tiffin) 29-11 (Dec 6-0)
149 - Michael Screptock (28-13) placed 6th and scored 9.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Michael Screptock (Tiffin) 28-13 won by major decision over Logan Grass (Mercyhurst) 24-13 (MD 14-0)
Quarterfinal - Michael Screptock (Tiffin) 28-13 won by decision over Daxton Gordon (California Baptist) 20-7 (Dec 5-3)
Semifinal - Keith Surber (Neb.-Kearney) 19-2 won by decision over Michael Screptock (Tiffin) 28-13 (Dec 6-1)
Cons. Semi - James Pleski (St. Cloud St.) 28-10 won by decision over Michael Screptock (Tiffin) 28-13 (Dec 8-2)
5th Place Match - Nick Boggs (Lake Erie) 31-10 won by decision over Michael Screptock (Tiffin) 28-13 (Dec 3-2)
157 - Samphanh Viengmany (16-13) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Destin McCauley (Neb.-Kearney) 34-7 won by decision over Samphanh Viengmany (Tiffin) 16-13 (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Tyler Nation (Augustana (SD)) 21-12 won by decision over Samphanh Viengmany (Tiffin) 16-13 (Dec 7-3)
184 - Jared Chambers (18-15) place is unknown and scored 0.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nicholas Fiegener (California Baptist) 34-3 won by tech fall over Jared Chambers (Tiffin) 18-15 (TF-1.5 5:13 (16-1))
Cons. Round 1 - Jared Chambers (Tiffin) 18-15 won by decision over Nick Costa (Gannon) 7-9 (Dec 7-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Zach Stodden (Neb.-Kearney) 30-13 won by major decision over Jared Chambers (Tiffin) 18-15 (MD 15-6)
285 - Garrett Gray (40-2) placed 1st and scored 25.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Garrett Gray (Tiffin) 40-2 won by fall over Ryan Appleby (Kutztown) 20-13 (Fall 0:54)
Quarterfinal - Garrett Gray (Tiffin) 40-2 won by decision over Austin Goergen (St. Cloud St.) 32-2 (Dec 3-2)
Semifinal - Garrett Gray (Tiffin) 40-2 won by fall over Michael Lowman (Augustana (SD)) 29-11 (Fall 1:17)
1st Place Match - Garrett Gray (Tiffin) 40-2 won by fall over Kameron Teacher (Notre Dame (OH)) 16-9 (Fall 1:23)