ST. LOUIS — Southwest Minnesota State wrestler Jacob Begin earned All-American honors at the 2015 NCAA Division II wrestling championships Friday at Chaifetz Arena.
The championship resumes on Saturday, with Session III at 10 a.m., and the finals starting at 7 p.m.
At 174 pounds, senior Jacob Begin entered the championships with a 27-5 record and took on Luke Cramer from Ashland and suffered an opening-round loss by a 6-5 decision. Begin began his wrestle-back rounds with a bye in the first round and followed it with a second round 6-0 decision over Joe Pittman from Newbury to earn his first All-American honor.
Begin will face Payne Hatter from Ouachita Baptist tomorrow in the quarterfinals wrestle-backs.
At 285 pounds, senior Cole Wilson entered the championships with a team-best 30-5 and faced Chris Giddens but suffered a 9-3 decision in the opening round. Wilson entered the wrestle-backs taking on Peter Anguiano from Western State and was edged out by a 5-4 decision to complete his senior year with a 30-7 record.
The top eight in each class earn NCAA All-American honors. SMSU’s last All-American was Justin Reinsma, who finished seventh in both 2012 and 2013. SMSU has had 10 NCAA All-Americans, including one national champion, since moving to Division II in 1996.
A total of 160 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA championships with four per weight class from the four Super Regionals.
First Round Results (March 13)
174 pounds: Luke Cramer (Ashland) over Jacob Begin (SMSU) 6-5 Decision
285 pounds: Chris Giddens (UNC Pembroke) over Cole Wilson (SMSU) 9-3 Decision
Wrestle-Backs:
First Round (Friday, March 13):
174 pounds: Jacob Begin (SMSU) vs. BYE
285 pounds: Cole Wilson (SMSU) over Damon Sims (Pitt-Johnstown) 10-3 Decision
Second Round (Friday, March 13):
174 pounds: *Jacob Begin (SMSU) over Joe Pittman (Newbury) 6-0 Decision
285 pounds: Peter Anguiano (Western State) over Cole WIlson (SMSU) 5-4 Decision
Quarterfinals (Saturday, March 14):
174 pounds: Jacob Begin (SMSU) vs. Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist)
*Qualified as All-American
Visit The Guillotine College Tournament Time Page for brackets, results, and live video links.
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