Central Missouri wrestling had three place in the top three of their weight class at the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Tournament Saturday, Mar. 2 on the campus of the University of Indianapolis, qualifying them for the DII Championships.
Jacob Tangpricha, Anthony Erickson, and All-MIAA First Team Damon Ashworth all placed high enough in their weight classes to advance to the national tournament.
Tangpricha, a 125-pound redshirt freshman, made a comeback through the consolation bracket after losing his first match to UIndy's Nathan Smith. Once in consolation, Tangpricha won three matches in a row, one by fall and two by decision, to claim third place, punching his ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Erickson, a 157-pound redshirt junior, went undefeated to reach the championship match. He won a first round 7-1 decision over Maryville's Luke Ebers and a second round 6-4 decision over UIndy's Owen Zablocki before dropping the championship match to Central Oklahoma's All-MIAA First Team Gabe Johnson. Erickson walked away with runner-up honors and a ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Ashworth, a 184-pound redshirt sophomore, bonused his way to the championship match. He techfell Newman's Dane Donigian 16-1 in just over two minutes and won a 14-2 major decision over UIndy's Owen Butler, before dropping to Central Oklahoma's Garrett Wells. Ashworth also moves on to the national tournament, taking runner-up accolades with him.
The Division II tournament will be held. March 15-16 at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.
Release courtesy of UCM Athletics.
