Lynx Win Midwest District NJCAA National Qualifier

By LC Student Wrestling Manager Kasey McCracken

Sunday, February 12, 2017, the Lincoln College wrestling team traveled to Harper College for the Midwest Districts to compete and qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament. The Lynx win the Midwest Districts along with all 10 weight classes qualifying for nationals.

The Lincoln College Wrestling team had an amazing run in the gold medal round winning 8 out of 9 championship matches.

Jaime Valdez, at 133 lbs., won both of his matches to win his first tournament of the season.

Christian Kanzler, at 141 lbs., wrestled hard both of his matches to win his third gold medal of the season.

At 149 lbs., Ethan Reel also wrestled smart to earn his third gold medal of the season.

Another Lynx grappler, Alex Gonzalez at 157 lbs., won another gold medal; his first of the season.

Shaylan Loomis, at 165 lbs., won his first match against an opponent he had earlier in the season lost to – then lost a tough one in the finals to win a silver medal.

At 174 lbs. Tyree Overton won both of his matches by pin to win his second gold medal the season. For his efforts, Overton was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler of the Midwest Districts.

Next at 184 lbs., Logan Hagerbaumer wrestled tough and smart during both of his matches and also won his third gold medal of the season.

Daltyn Dodd, Lincoln College’s 197 pounder, won both his matches by pin and earned another gold medal for the Lynx.

Last but not least Mat Kent, at 285 lbs., won both of his matches to win the final gold medal at the Midwest Districts for the Lincoln College Wrestling Team.

At 125 lbs., DJ Millett wrestled a tough match in the first round and lost in double overtime but came back strong to take 3rd place.

The Lynx, as a team, won the Midwest Districts with 131.5 team points. On top of winning the Midwest Districts, Head Coach Daryl Thomas was named Coach of the Year and Tyree Overton was named Outstanding Wrestler.

Those feats won Lincoln College the “Triple Crown” i.e. the Lynx won the Midwest Districts: team title, Coach of the Year trophy, & Outstanding Wrestler award.

Head Coach Daryl Thomas commented on their success at the Midwest Districts, “They did exactly what we wanted them to do. We told them it is not about winning Districts, it is about getting all 10 weight classes through to the NJCAA National Tournament and that is what they did, we are proud of them.”

The Lynx will wrestle in the NJCAA National Tournament February 24-25, 2017 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Lincoln College Place Results at Midwest Districts
125 lbs. DJ Millet, 3rd
133 lbs. Jaime Valdez, Champion
141 lbs. Christian Kanzler, Champion
149 lbs. Ethan Reel, Champion
157 lbs. Alex Gonzalez, Champion
165 lbs. Shaylan Loomis, 2nd
174 lbs. Tyree Overton, Champion
285 lbs. Mat Kent, Champion

Lincoln College Awards at Midwest Districts
LC wins Team Title
Tyree Overton wins Outstanding Wrestler award
Daryl Thomas wins Coach of the Year award

LC Wrestling at Midwest Districts 2017 on YouTube

To follow the LC Wrestling Program via competition updates, please view LC Student Articles.

To watch LC Wrestling Program competition matches & interviews, please view the Lynx Wrestling YouTube page.

Copyright © by Coach Shannyn,  All rights reserved