ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Parkside wrestling team secured a pair of All-Americans after Day One of the NCAA II National Championships on Friday, which is taking place at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University. No. 2
Shane Gantz stayed undefeated this season after going 2-0 and advancing the semifinals at 165-pounds while
Reece Worachek battled back in the blood round to advance to Saturday.
Check out @RangerAthletics on Twitter for highlights from the day at Chaifetz Arena
Hear from Head Coach Nick Becker
#2 Shane Gantz – 165 Pounds – All-American
- Gantz opened his day with a 5-0 decision over Chase Morgan of West Liberty
- He beat Hunter Mullin of Western Colorado in the quarterfinals in a 10-3 decision
- Gantz will now battle No. 6 Cory Peterson in the semifinals on Saturday morning
- The other semifinal consists of No. 1 Matt Malcom of Nebraska-Kearney and Drew Weichers of Ashland
Reece Worachek – 184 Pounds – All-American
- Unranked Worachek won a tough one in the tiebreak over No. 7 Anderson Salisbury to start off his day and advance to the Quarterfinals
- He lost to No. 2 Heath Gray of Central Oklahoma in a 9-1 major decision in the quarterfinals
- Worachek bounced back with a hard fought 4-3 decision over Cam Page of Gannon
- He'll face No. 6 Martin Verhagen from Fort Hays State
#7 Joe Arroyo – 125 Pounds
- Arroyo was the first Ranger to hit the mat on Friday, and he started his day with a 7-1 loss to Tyshawn White of Shippenburg, who went on to upset No. 2 Paxton Rosen of Central Oklahoma as well
- He bounced back with a 5-2 decision over Jaxson Rohman of Augustana to move on to the consolation round two
- Arroyo got pinned by Kevin Radcliff of Limestone in round two
- He finished the season 14-5 overall
#8 Job Ayala – 174 Pounds
- Ayala won his opening match with ease, beating Stephon Halliburton from Queens in a 14-5 major decision
- He had to go up against No. 1 Austin Eldredge of Nebraska-Kearney in round two and lost 9-3
- He moved over to the consolation round two, where he dropped a hard fought 8-6 decision to Allen Michel of New Mexico Highlands
- Ayala finishes the season with a record of 25-8
DAY TWO - SATURDAY
Gantz will battle for a National Championship while Worachek can finish in third place at best, but both have secured their All-American honors. Fans can follow the action
HERE.
