By Olivia Trasser
Staff Writer
The College’s wrestling team walked off the mat at Hitchcock Arena at Messiah College with another win secured, adding to their growing legacy as one of Division III’s toughest competitors.
The Lions secured their fifth consecutive Region III title at Messiah on Saturday, March 1, amassing an impressive 174.5 team points and finishing a commanding 37 points ahead of runner-up Alvernia.
Leading the pack were individual champions sophomore Garrett Totten (133), junior Hunter Mays (174) and sophomore D.J. Henry (197), who each delivered standout performances en route to claiming regional titles.
Totten, ranked fifth in Division III at 133 pounds, according to The Open Mat, showcased his dominance with a 19-4 tech fall win in the semifinals before pinning New York University’s Jacob Venezia in the finals.
Mays, ranked seventh nationally at 174 pounds, pulled off a thrilling overtime victory against Alvernia’s Nate Lackman, a 2023 national champion.
Meanwhile, Henry breezed through the competition, capping off his run with a decisive 10-3 victory over Elizabethtown’s Will Davis, the No. 6 ranked wrestler in Division III at 197 pounds.
The Lions’ depth was on full display as sophomore Matthew Griffin (125), junior Sam Kotch (141), senior Mike Conklin (149) and senior Nick Sacco (165) each secured second-place finishes to punch their tickets to the NCAA Championships.
Griffin’s path to nationals was particularly dramatic, as he overcame a 4-0 deficit in the semifinals to claim a 12-7 victory.
Kotch, Conklin and Sacco all battled ranked opponents in their respective finals, with Sacco facing top-ranked Matt Lackman in the 165-pound title bout.
Sacco, last year’s national champion at 165 pounds, put up a strong fight against the top-ranked contender, showcasing the skill and determination that earned him the title in 2024. Despite facing fierce competition throughout the season, he remains focused on defending his crown and making a run for back-to-back national championships. The competition will be fierce, but Sacco has consistently risen to the challenge, proving he is more than capable of securing another national title.
The regional tournament was not just about the national qualifiers, as several other wrestlers contributed to the Lions' overall success.
Senior James Romaine placed sixth at 184 pounds, defeating Alvernia's Hayden McClellan, 5-4, before losing a tough 2-1 decision to No. 14 Ryder Slayton of Messiah in the consolation semifinals. Romaine lost 4-1 to Ursinus’ Nils Updale in the fifth-place bout, giving him the sixth place finish.
Sophomore Matt Coon was one win away from qualifying for the NCAA tournament, but ultimately placed fourth at 285 pounds.
With seven national qualifiers, the College sends its largest contingent to the NCAA Championships since the 2003-04 season, marking a historic achievement for the program.
Conklin and Sacco will each be making their third trip to the national tournament, with Sacco entering as the defending 165-pound national champion. The other five Lions will make their NCAA debuts in what promises to be an exciting test on the national stage.
The Lions now turn their attention to the NCAA Championships, set for March 14 and 15 in Providence, Rhode Island.
With a talented squad, the College aims to make a strong push for individual and team accolades on the national stage. As they prepare for the biggest event of the season, the Lions will look to continue their momentum and add to the program’s storied history.
