OLIVET, Mich. -- The Trine University men's wrestling team traveled to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Invitational where they had multiple student-athletes come up with podium finishes.
The day began with both of the Thunder's 125 wrestlers ending up in the third place match. Sophomore Joseph Garcia (Garrett, Ind. / Garrett) came up with a 8-5 victory over freshman Bryce Trimm (Battle Creek, Mich.) to secure third in the bracket.
Sophomore Jeff Boots (Angola, Ind. / Angola) became one of three Thunder to finish second in their respective brackets. After an opening round bye, Boots won with a pin in the semifinal round (Fall 1:29) and then dropped the championship bout by the score of 5-3.
In the 149 bracket, sophomore Isaac Hawkins (Fremont, Ind. / Fremont) was the top performer for the team with a fourth place finish. After a bye to start he picked up a win in his first match with a 11-7 decision. He would drop his second match before taking the first match of the consolation bracket to secure a spot in the third-place match.
Freshman Philip Burney (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) became the second member of the team to finish second in his weight class. He opened the day with a pin (Fall 3:18) before winning with a 5-2 decision in the semifinal round. He would drop the championship match by a major decision.
In the 165 weight class sophomore Ethan Nash (Franklin, Ind. / Franklin Community) came up with a third-place finish. After a opening match victory by the score of 10-8, Nash dropped his second match to move to the consolation bracket. He then rattled off a pair of victories by decision to take third.
Senior Owen Conklin (West Lafayette, Ind. / Harrison) received a bye in the opening round of the 174 bracket and then won his second match with a pin (Fall 5:32). He would drop the championship match, but became the third and final member of the squad to finish second at the event.
The Thunder, in their next competition, are set to host the remainder of MIAA dual matches next Sunday, Feb. 6.