Council Bluffs, IA – Five Indian Hills wrestlers advanced to day two of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's Wrestling National Championship after a strong showing on Friday. The Warriors head into the final day of action on Saturday in eighth place overall as a team.
Clackamas, the three-time defending national champions, sit on top of the leaderboard after the first day of action with 99 points. The Warriors sit in eighth place with 67 team points with five wrestlers still on track to score team points on Saturday. Here's a full breakdown of the opening day of the national championship.
125lbs: Returning All-American Chris Busutil earned two consolation round victories – a technical fall as well as a major decision before falling in the consolation quarterfinal round to conclude the sophomore's season.
133lbs: Caleb Meekins, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation and top overall seed at the national championship went 3-0 on the day to advance in the winner's bracket. Meekins scored a major decision and two decisions, allowing just eight points total on the day. Meekins will square off with NIACC's Clarence Lee-Green, an opponent that Meekins defeated on Feb. 13 to win the NJCAA North Central District title.
141lbs: After falling in the opening round, Guzman battled through the consolation round to score a fall and two major decisions before bowing out in the consolation semifinal round.
149lbs: Freshman Matthew Lewis took on the 2020 national champ in the opening round, and despite a valiant effort, fell short. Lewis scored a decision and back-to-back falls in the consolation round before suffering a hard-fought 4-3 decision to bow out in the semis.
157: Destin Jones earned a guaranteed spot on the All-American podium on Saturday after battling through the consolation round. After an opening round defeat, Jones knocked off four consecutive opponents, including the No. 14 seed and No. 9 seed along the way while scoring a fall, a tech fall, and two decisions for a chance to wrestle on Saturday. Jones will take on his first round opponent from Friday, No. 13 seed Alfonso Martinez of North Idaho.
165lbs: Cameron Nesbitt was forced to the consolation round after an opening round defeat, but secured two victories before bowing out.
174lbs: Jacob Anderson fell in the opening round and earned a win in the consolation round after earning a fall in just 33 seconds before falling in the next round to close the sophomore's season.
184lbs: Deron Pulliam, the top seed and No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation drew a major challenge in the opening round against No. 5 nationally ranked Devin Winston of North Idaho. Pulliam prevailed with a 3-1 decision and followed-up with a fall and a 9-2 decision to advance to Saturday with an unblemished record. Pulliam, who placed third overall last year, will compete for a national title. Pulliam will square off with No. 4 seed Tyce Raddon of Western Wyoming.
197lbs: Khris Walton will become a two-time All-American on Saturday after earning an opening round upset in round one with a fall. After dropping his second round matchup, Walton wrestled out of the consolation round with back-to-back falls and a 7-1 decision to earn a spot on Saturday's podium. Walton will take on No. 8 seed Tyler Scheurn of Western Wyoming.
285lbs: Kawaun Deboe's cinderalla run will continue on Saturday after earning a spot on the final day of the championships. Deboe, who placed third at the district tournament, upset the No. 10 and No. 7 seeds in the winner's bracket before falling to the No. 2 seed. Deboe secured a 9-4 decision in the lone consolation match and will be crowned an All-American on Saturday. Deboe will wrestle No. 6 seed Cohle Feliciano of North Idaho.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans of Indian Hills Wrestling can follow GoHillsTV for in-match updates and interviews throughout the duration of the tournament.
To watch the action live, fans can purchase access through FloWrestling
Heading to the championship? Purchase tickets in advance HERE.