Des Moines, Iowa, March 7, 2019 – The No. 3 nationally-ranked Life University men’s wrestling team finished third at the 2019 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championships, which marked a program-best finish. The Running Eagles also set a new benchmark with five All-Americans.
Senior Nosomy Pozo captured his second consecutive title at the 157 lbs. weight class and finished the year a perfect 20-0. Pozo claimed two junior college national championships and ends his career with four rings to his name. The Miami, Florida native battled his way with two overtime victories in qualifying, and he was tied 4-4 with less than thirty seconds remaining in the third period of the title match. Pozo earned the takedown for a late two with 11 seconds on the clock. He danced in joy as he finished out the match ahead 6-5 to claim his second consecutive national title.
Randy McCray Jr. (125 lbs.), Lucius Van Rensburg (174 lbs.), Diallo Matsimela (197 lbs.) and Brandon Hill (285 lbs.) also earned All-American honors for the program.
After the first day of action, McCray, Pozo, Van Rensburg and Hill all earned spots in the semifinal matches Saturday morning. Hill fell and finished sixth in his weight class. McCray defeated the number one overall seed in the semifinals to advance to his first title match. He fell in sudden victory 4-2 to finish as a national runner-up. Van Rensburg earned his way to the title match as well, but also fell in the sudden victory period 8-6 to finish as a national runner-up.
Matsimela battled his way through the consolation bracket and finished eighth in the country.
Van Rensburg led the way with 21.5 total points in the tournament. He scored bonus points in every match up to the title bout with a pin and three major decisions. Pozo finished just behind him with 20 on an 11-2 decision in the quarterfinals and a 3-2 battle in the semifinals that nearly went to a second sudden victory period. McCray added 16 points with three decisions and the advancement points to the title match.
All eight team members for the Running Eagles scored points for the team. Hill tallied nine as Matsimela finished with 7.5. Sid Ohl picked up five, Devaughn Sapien finished with three and Mason Calvert totaled 1.5.
Overall, the team finished with 82.5 points. The team improves upon its eighth place finish at last year’s national championships. At the end of day one this year, the Running Eagles were in second; however, Lindsey Wilson claimed two national titles to secure second at the conclusion of the tournament.
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