ROANOKE, Va. –
Zach Needles represented the Messiah wrestling team on Friday at the NCAA Division III National Championships in Roanoke, Va. Needles competed at 165 lbs. and went 1-2 on the day, earning a major victory in the consolation bracket, but dropping his two matches against seeded wrestlers on the day.
Needles started his day in a pigtail match against the No. 7 seeded Cooper Willis from Augsburg. Willis earned a fall in the final minute of the match, sending Needles to the consolation bracket. Once there, Needles earned a dominating 14-0 major decision over Adrian's Zach Altman to advance to Friday evening's action.
In his match against Altman, Needles grabbed a cradle midway through the first period, picking up a takedown and two nearfall points. In the second period, Needles took a 7-0 lead with an escape and a takedown. In the final 30 seconds of the match, Needles grabbed a takedown, four nearfall points, and a riding time point to claim the 14-0 major decision.
In the Friday evening session, Needles was match up with fourth-seeded Nathan Fuller (Wartburg). Fuller quickly earned a takedown in the opening period. Needles earned an escape late in the period, but Fuller earned takedowns in the second and third periods and claimed the riding time point to advance 7-1 in the consolation bracket. The setback concluded Needles' run through the 165 lbs. bracket.
Needles ends the 2022-23 season with an overall record 32-15.
On Friday, Needles earned 1.5 team points for his victory over Altman and Messiah finished in a tie for 49th out of the 71 teams competing this weekend.
