Heidelberg Concludes Action at Nationals

The Heidelberg University wrestling team concluded action at the 2009 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center in Grand Rapids, Iowa. The Berg qualified a program best six wrestlers for nationals, but will not return to Tiffin with any All-American honors.
 
Heidelberg suffered through a 0-6 record in the opening round of the championships, but Jerrad Hoxie (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern) got things started in the consolation second round with a 7-3 win over Luther College’s Jayson Swanson at 125 pounds. Hoxie trailed 6-5 after two periods, but recorded a takedown in the final period and added a point for riding time to post an 8-6 victory. Hoxie returned to face the defending national champion and was pinned. For the year Hoxie posted 25 victories.
 
Tony Lawler (West Jefferson, Ohio / West Jefferson) simultaneously followed suit on the mat next to Hoxie in the consolation second round. At 133 pounds, Lawler took control early and led 7-3 after one period and never looked back. He assured himself another match by a 9-3 margin. Next on the docket for Lawler was Corey Brown from Thiel College. Lawler fought hard, but fell in overtime as Brown recorded a takedown to post the win. The sophomore closes out the year at 17-9.
 
At 141 pounds, Boomer Fechko (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) suffered a 6-1 setback to Rochester Institute of Technology’s Luke Baum to close out his first trip to the Division III nationals with a record of 0-2. Fechko ends the year at 25-11 overall. Fechko faced UW-Stevens Point’s Chase DeCleene in his opening round bout and fell 8-7.
 
In his second trip to nationals, 157 pound junior Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry) went 0-2. In the consolation second round he suffered a 5-1 setback to no. 6 seed Erik Hanson of Loras. Mizer closed the year with a team-leading 32 victories to just 12 setbacks. His stint at nationals opened with a 7-6 loss to Jason Adams of Augsburg.
 
Earning a bye through the consolation second round was 165 pounder Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood). Curley was looking for his first win at nationals, but fell 10-6 to no 6 seed Michael Morin of Southern Maine. The sophomore closes the year at 27-7.Curley was 0-2 at nationals.
 
Coming on the short end of consolation second round win was heavyweight Tony Carothers (Bloomingdale, Ohio / Harrison Central). Carothers fell 8-3 to Luther’s Allyn Plattner. For the year, Carothers ranked second on the team with 31 victories. Carothers went two and out at the championships.