Final Brackets  |  Final Team Scores

Hershey, PA - Lucas Malmberg led three Falcon All-Americans with his Runner-Up finish at 125 pounds. Joining Malmberg were third place finishers Kaleb Loht at 141 pounds and Josh Thomson at 174 pounds. As a team, Messiah finished sixth out of 62 participating teams with 48 points.
 
125 Pounds - Lucas Malmberg (2nd)

No. 2 seed Lucas Malmberg started his tournament with a 9-5 decision over Bobby Jordan of Johnson & Wales. Malmberg let up an early takedown in the first period but battled back with three takedowns and secured the victory.

In the quarterfinals, Malmberg cruised to a fall in 6:32 over Jacob Donato of New York University. Malmberg racked up six takedowns and finished his opponent by lifting him into a turk, which led to the pin.

In the semifinals, Malmberg wrestled a familiar foe in No. 3 seed Jesse Gunter from Baldwin Wallace. The two met in the Mideast Regional finals where Malmberg won by decision. Malmberg continued his winning ways over Gunter with a 8-6 decision in the semifinals.
 
The score was tied at five after the second period. Malmberg earned a quick escape and attacked again to score a takedown. After the takedown, Gunter quickly escaped but couldn't get a takedown on Malmberg.

For the National title, Malmberg ran into a familiar opponent in Mike Fuenffinger from Augsburg. The two met last year with Fuenffinger coming out on top. Much like last year, Fuenffinger was victorious over Malmberg by a 15-2 major decision. Malmberg struggled to work his offense and couldn't score a takedown throughout the match. Malmberg is now a two-time National Runner-Up at 125 pounds for the Falcons.

141 Pounds - Kaleb Loht (3rd)

No. 1 seed and defending National Champion Kaleb Loht defeated Cody See from Wisconsin-La Crosse in the round of 16 by a 7-2 decision. Loht scored an early takedown and perfected an upper body throw for another takedown and two near fall points to seal the victory.

Loht dominated his quarterfinal match by defeating Alvontae Drummond of McDaniel College by a 12-1 major decision. Loht earned five takedowns, an escape, and a riding time point during the major decision victory.

In the semifinals, Loht fell to No. 5 seed, and eventual champion Cary Palmer of Hunter College by a 3-2 decision. Palmer scored the only takedown of the match during the second period and led 2-1. Loht gave Palmer an escape point during the third period but couldn't find a takedown. Loht was awarded a stall point for his aggressive offense but fell 3-2.

The loss was the first for Loht in two years by a Division III opponent.
 
In the consolation semifinals, Loht defeated Layten Binion from North Central by a 5-2 decision. Loht scored the only takedown of the match during the first period. Then, Loht earned a stalling point and two escapes to place himself in the third place place. With the victory, Loht became Messiah's all-time wins leader win 158 wins (previously held by Andy Vogel, 157 wins).
 
For the third place match, Loht pinned No. 4 seed Brandon Jones of New York University in 1:41. Loht turned a single leg takedown into his signature cradle and earned the fall.
 
Loht finishes his impressive Messiah wrestling career with a National Championship and a third place finish.

174 Pounds - Josh Thomson (3rd)

In the 174 lb. weight class No. 2 seed Josh Thomson earned a 10-2 major decision to win his first bout over Tyrell Martin of Augsburg. Thomson used multiple takedowns and a turn to rack up his points.

In the quarterfinals, Thomson lost a close 3-2 decision to No. 7 seed Ryan Harrington of Coe College. Harrington scored the only takedown of the match during the first period and Thomson struggled to get his offense working.
 
In the consolation bracket Thomson defeated Kyle Diesel of Wilkes by a 4-1 decision. Thomson scored the only takedown in the match during the first period. Next, Thomson earned an escape in the second period, rode out Diesel in the third period, and earned the riding time point.

Thomson advanced to the consolation semifinals by forfeit. In the consolation semifinals, Thomson defeated Sebastian Gardner from Concordia-Moorhead by a 8-7 decision. Both wrestlers scored a first period takedown and escape to tie the score at 3. The second period saw Gardner receive a reversal. After the reversal, Thomson quickly escaped and collected a takedown as the period ended to lead 6-5.
 
Thomson quickly escaped in the third period, but Gardner capitalized with a takedown. Thomson escaped again and held off Gardner for the victory.
 
For third place Thomson wrestled No. 7 seed Ryan Harrington from Coe College in a rematch of the quarterfinals where Harrington defeated Thomson. However, the result was different for the battle of third place as Thomson defeated Harrington 9-3.
 
The match was tied at three heading into the third period when Thomson collected a reversal and turned Harrington for three near fall points. Thomson also accumulated riding time and earned an extra point to complete the 9-3 decision. With the third place finish, Thomson is now a three-time All-American.

184 Pounds - Ben Swarr (Eliminated)

In the 184 lb. weight class No. 6 seed Ben Swarr fell by a close 3-1 decision to returning All-American Ryan Sheldon from Coe College. The match was tied at one in the third period when Sheldon grabbed a takedown with 25 seconds remaining in the match.

Next, Swarr lost his first round consolation match to No. 3 seed Tyler Beckwith from SUNY Cortland and was eliminated from the tournament. Beckwith wrestled well from the neutral position and earned takedowns over Swarr.


 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video