ELMHURST, Ill. - For the first time in school history the Trine University wrestling team will send three athletes to the NCAA Division III National Championships. Two-time senior All-American Eli Larson (Chicago, Ill./Marion Catholic) will make his third straight appearance, while fellow senior Ryan Pieper (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) will make his second straight tournament and sophomore Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) will be making his first national appearance.
As a team, the Thunder finished seventh with 53.5 points. Wis.-Whitewater won the team title with 121 points.
Larson, the top ranked wrestler in Division III at 157 pounds ran through his three opponents, allowing just a single point. In his opening match, Larson pinned Blake Olson from North Central at 2:10 of the opening period. Larson would then shutout 12th ranked James Lewis from Wis.-La Crosse 4-0. With a spot in the nation tournament already secured, Larson took home the regional crown with a major decision over 10th ranked Reece Lefever of Wabash 9-1.
At 125 pounds, Preston gave the Thunder their second regional champion as he dominated his three opponents, including two wins by pin fall and not allowing a point. In the opening round Preston, ranked 9th in the nation, pinned Tyler Foley from Alma just 1:32 into their match. Preston followed that up with another pin, taking down Alfred McKeown of Olivet, also in the opening period at the 2:23 mark. In the championship match, Preston faced 10th ranked Isaac Balsiger from Wis.-La Crosse for the third time this season. And just as the previous two matches, Preston defeated Balsiger, this time in a 4-0 shutout.
Pieper had to make it the hard way after falling in the championship bracket semi-finals. Pieper, ranked 10th in Division III, opened the day with a major decision over 22nd ranked Matt McCrary from Wheaton 13-5. Pieper fell in his closest match of the day 3-2 to 9th ranked and top seeded Kevin Obrien from Wis.-La Crosse 3-2. Pieper would rebound with a major decision over fifth ranked Danny Balderas from Elmhurst 16-2. With a berth in the national championship on the line, Pieper took down Conner Lefever from Wabash by a score of 6-3, sending him to nationals.
Brothers Josh and Jon Blanton (Alexandria, Ind./Alexandria) both picked up wins in the tournament. At 141 pounds, Josh defeated Jonathan Williamson from North Central 8-6 in sudden death. Meanwhile in the 149 weight class, Jon defeated seventh seeded Nathan Segal also from North Central 3-2.
Trine was just one of three schools with multiple regional champions.
It marks the third straight season the Thunder have sent multiple wrestlers to the national tournament, and the fourth consecutive season sending at least one representative.
The trio will have a week off before heading to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the two-day NCAA Division III National Championships beginning March 15.
