CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- The No.3 ranked Parkside wrestling team began the first day of competition at the NCAA II National Championships on Friday with five Rangers looking to bring home some hardware. The first day consisted of the first round and quarterfinals matches. Of the five wrestlers, Shane Corrigan, Jalen Spuhler, and Reece Worachek have advanced in the brackets earning All-American status, and will represent Parkside on Saturday.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The first round matches began in the 125-pound class with freshman and No.4 ranked Shane Corrigan taking on Caden Howard of Drury where he dominated in a 17-2 technical fall in the second period. Corrigan repeatedly added near fall points in route to his first-round victory. In the Quarterfinals match, Corrigan was set to face No.5 Jaxson Rohman of Augustana who he had a 1-1 record against this season, the most recent coming in the finals match at the NCAA Super Region V tournament in which Corrigan was victorious. In this match, Corrigan got started early with a 2-0 lead but the next two takedowns came from Rohman. Corrigan was unable to score late after starting the third period on top as he fell in a 6-4 decision. Corrigan moved into the "wrestle-back" side of the bracket where he would need to fight his way to All-American status. In his first blood round match, Corrigan faced No.6 ranked Studd Morris of Central Oklahoma. Corrigan overcame a late 10-9 deficit to win in a 13-10 decision thanks to a takedown in the final minute which earned Corrigan All-American honors in his freshman season with the Rangers.
In the 141-pound first round No.2 ranked redshirt freshman Cayden Henschel was defeated by John Carayiannis of Belmont Abbey by 8-5 decision. Henschel headed to the first consolation round where he faced No.7 ranked Hunter Burnett of Augustana, the same wrestler Henschel defeated in the championship match at the NCAA Super Region V Championships by 8-6 decision. Henschel moved to 2-0 against No.7 Burnett as he came away with a 3-2 decision thanks to earning the only takedown in the match. Henschel advanced to face No.8 ranked and well-known opponent Tate Murty of Upper Iowa. In the blood round match, Henschel was not able to overcome a late deficit as he fell in a 6-3 decision. Henschel's season has come to an end with a 26-5 record.
At 149-pounds, redshirt sophomore and No.6 ranked Jalen Spuhler took on Darick Lapaglia of Central Missouri. Spuhler trailed late in the third but was able to come up with a clutch takedown in the closing seconds to win in a 6-4 decision. The takedown was initially not called but a challenge from Head Coach Nick Becker overturned the call to give Spuhler 19 extra seconds to earn yet another takedown and win his first match. In the quarterfinal match, Spuhler was set to face No.3 Nick Young of Gannon. In a battle between top-ten wrestlers, Spuhler got off to an early 2-0 lead but found himself trailing entering the final period. In the final period, Spuhler chose to go neutral where he found a takedown that resulted in back points. Spuhler knocked off No.3 Nick Young of Gannon to earn his first All-American honors. Spuhler will head to the semifinals tomorrow.
Redshirt senior and No.1 ranked Shane Gantz earned the one-seed in the 165-pound bracket where he dominated his first match against Patrick Wunderlich of Newberry and came away with a 9-0 major decision. In the quarterfinals match, Gantz took on No.8 ranked Hunter Mullin of Western Colorado in a close match that was tied heading into the final period. In the third period, both wrestlers traded shots but it was Mullin who got the last two points to defeat Gantz in a 7-6 decision. Marking Gantz's first loss this season and just his second since this tournament last season. Gantz fell back to the blood rounds side of the bracket to face off against Mike Vernagallo of Mount Olive. Gantz was taken down early in the first period which lead to a pin to end his season. Gantz finishes his season with a 33-2 record.
The No.5 ranked wrestler in the 184-pound class is redshirt sophomore Reece Worachek who took on Shylik Scriven of UNC-Pembroke. Worachek cruised into the quarterfinals with a 14-4 major decision. In the quarterfinals, Worachek took on No.4 ranked Logan Hall of Lander where Worachek was unable to come away with a takedown as he fell in a very close 3-2 decision. Worachek moved into the consolation rounds to continue to fight for All-American honors as he was set to face No.6 ranked Brock Biddle of Pitt.-Johnstown. Worachek trailed for the majority of the match but he was able to get four takedowns and two back points in the third period to win in a 13-9 decision. Six of Worachek's 13 points came in the final 15 seconds. Worachek will continue his nationals run tomorrow as he is now a two-time All American.
UP NEXT
Three Rangers will continue competition tomorrow in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in hopes of bringing home some hardware. For more information on coverage at the NCAA II Championships, please visit ParksideRangers.com/Coverage.
