GLENDALE, Ariz. - The ACU wrestling program has high hopes entering the 64th-Annual NAIA Wrestling Championships this weekend with a program-best five qualifiers set to compete in Park City, Kan. between March 5-6.
Eli Gonzales, Chris Kelly, Jack Latimer, Andrew Torres, and Alex Newberry will be representing a second-year wrestling program that has already proved that the sky's the limit to what they can accomplish.
"The preparation is done, now it's time to enjoy these next few days and trust the work we have put in when we step on the mat on Friday," said Head Coach Travis Patrick, "We talked all week about this tournament being a celebration of the year and the trials we have overcome. Each one of our five qualifiers will have some big tests ahead of them and will need some big wins to make the podium. We believe each one of them have what it takes to do just that."
Patrick started the ACU wrestling program three years ago, and in the span of two seasons he has watched his team exceed expectations over and over again. Last season, his team had just one National qualifier, Cole Drescher, and now, five wrestlers will hit the mat looking to solidify their spots in the NAIA history books.
Preliminary brackets, which are subject to change, were announced by the NAIA last week and have all five ACU qualifiers set to face challenging opponents from across the country.
The brackets are not considered official until ratified by the NAIA-Wrestling Coaches' Association Bracketing Committee. Official brackets are planned for release on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. CT on the NAIA's official website.
There are 10 weight classes represented at Nationals which will result in 10 individual champions at each weight class, and a championship team will also be named based on individual-wrestler finishes. Grapplers finishing in the top eight of each double-elimination bracket earn NAIA All-American honors.
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