ADRIAN, Mich. - On Saturday, February 26th your Mount St. Joseph University wrestling team competed in day two of the NCAA DIII Central Regional Tournament. Both
Antonio McCloud and
Cornell Beachem advanced to the DIII National Tournament which begins on Friday, March 11th in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Both Beachem and McCloud were undefeated on the weekend continuing their prolific seasons. Beachem kept his perfect season alive improving his record to 18-0. McCloud was also dominant improving his season record to 18-1 over the weekend. Both wrestlers were named NCAA DIII Central Region Champions and hope to continue their dominance at the national level.
First,
Cornell Beachem had a smooth path to the national tournament. Beachem did not have to wrestle a single match on Saturday as he advanced in both the semifinal and championship match due to forfeits. Beachem enters the National Tournament ranked the unanimous #1 NCAA DIII 174lb wrestler in the country.
McCloud was next for the Lions eager to showcase his dominance. In the semifinal match McCloud faced off against Otterbein's Joey Bradberry. McCloud showed why he belonged in the national tournament by pinning Bradberry in just 49 seconds officially making him a 3-time national qualifier. In the championship match McCloud was set to face Baldwin Wallace's Lucas Salmon. McCloud got the scoring started with a takedown just 20 seconds into the match and finished the first period ahead 6-3. In the second period McCloud would take his time finding the perfect window to attack just over a minute into the period. McCloud would register two takedowns in the final minute of the period extending his lead to 10-5. In the final period McCloud would cement himself as the more experienced wrestler adding a pair of takedowns and 1 point for riding time to give him the victory by a final score of 15-6.
Desmond Diggs also wrestled for the Lions on day two. Diggs fell in his first match setting him up to face Defiance's Alexander Smith in the 7th place match. But, Smith would take a medical forfeit in the match leaving Diggs to take 7th place in the 141lb weight class. Diggs over the weekend posted a 4-2 record improving his season record to 19-14.
UP NEXT:
Both
Cornell Beachem and
Antonio McCloud will head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, March 11th to compete in the two day NCAA DIII National Tournament. Both McCloud and Beachem are seeking to be the first national champion in school history. Follow msjlions.com, as well as our social media channels for in-depth coverage of McCloud and Beachem's trip to nationals.
