CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - For the first time in the history of Mount St. Joseph University we can say that we have a NATIONAL CHAMPION.
Saturday night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
Cornell Beachem Jr. a senior and two sport star etched his name in The Mount's history books and his name stands ALONE!!!
Heading into tonight's final match Beachem had been unstoppable, having never lost a Division III match. His opponent in the match that sealed the deal was Michael Ross from Johnson and Wales University.
The finals may have had a lot more pomp and circumstance than a normal match but for Cornell it was just another day at the office. The match began slow as neither wrestler scored a point in the first period.
To open the second period Ross had choice and decided to take the top. When the whistle blew to start the period, Beachem exploded back to his feet to secure the first point of the match for an escape.
When all was said and done and the second period was over Cornell still held that slim 1-0 margin. In the third period Beachem had the decision and decided to go again to the bottom. Just 11 seconds into the third period Ross was hit with his second stalling call of the match, giving Cornell a 2-0 lead.
He would escape from the bottom just six seconds later, pushing his lead to 3-0.
With the 3-0 lead, Cornell would secure a huge takedown at 1:02 in the third period all but sealing his fate.
"This is big for our program, Cincinnati wrestling and the entire state of Ohio" Said Coach Mason. He went on to add "Cornell has had a phenomenal season along with the rest our team, but this is not the end. As a program one national champion is not our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is to get to a point where we compete for a team title."
