Cedar Rapids, Iowa –March 5, 2010 – The third time is the charm for senior Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry). In his third trip to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships Mizer has come away with All-American honors. He is the 15th All-American in the history of the Heidelberg University wrestling program. Mizer is guaranteed a top-six finish in the 157 pound weight class and the top eight finishers in each of the 10 weight classes earn All-America honors. The championships are being held at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Action continues tomorrow, March 6 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Mizer secured a spot in the All-American round by virtue of two victories. He is the sixth seed in the tournament and opened up his final trip to nationals with a 12-4 major decision over Justin Skilling of St. Olaf College. Mizer went on to upset the no. 3 seed Jesse Milks of UW-Platteville, 3-1, with a takedown in overtime.
Returning to nationals for the second-straight year was junior 165 pounder Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood). Curley started the weekend with a 7-6 decision over Jordan Schulte of UW-Stevens Point, but dropped two-straight bouts to finish at 1-2. For the year Curley recorded an overall record of 27-6.
At 133 pounds, sophomore Tom D’Alessandro (Mayfield Heights, Ohio / Mayfield) was making his first appearance at nationals. He opened up with the no. 1 seed Bebeto Yewah of UW-LaCrosse and took on the eighth seed Joseph Grippi of Springfield College, suffering setbacks in both bouts to close out the year at 23-10.
Joining D’Alessandro on the first timers list was fellow classmate Sam Delpra (Chesterland, Ohio / West Geauga). Delpra finished his inaugural trip to nationals at 0-2. He dropped an 11-6 decision to the no. 8 seed from Wabash and closed out the day with an 8-2 setback to Ryan Beidge of Stevens Institute of Technology. Delpra finished the year with an overall record of 20-12.
