Alma Head Coach Todd Hibbs and the Alma College Wrestling Team participated in the NCAA Division III Midwest Wrestling Regional Tournament hosted by Wabash College on Saturday.
It was an historic day for the Scots as So. Jamie Jakes (Dearborn/Divine Child) became the first national qualifier for Alma since the wrestling program was reinstated three years ago.
As a team, Alma finished ninth at the 12-team event, scoring 40 total points. With a score of 130, Wisconsin-Whitewater took first on Saturday.
Jakes finished third at 174 pounds to qualify for the national tournament at the U.S Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, IA on March 14-15.
Jakes lost his first match of the day but battled back to win his next four to take third at 174.
"I am really proud of Jamie and his efforts on Saturday," said Hibbs. "He is the leader of this team as far as work ethic and mentality goes ... he is always able to rebound from losses and never stays down on himself which is a huge reason he is going to nationals."
Aside from Jakes, the Scots struggled on the afternoon managing three sixth-place performances.
"We struggled, it was one of the most difficult days we had in three years as a program," continued Hibbs. "The staff and I are going to have to sit down and figure out what happened and what it will take to fix it moving forward."
Off the mat, Alma named four scholar All Americans as Jakes, So. Shawn Brewer (New Boston/Huron), Jr. Tyler Foley (New Hudson/South Lyon East) and Jr. Jared Groeneveld (Allendale/Allendale) all earned the academic honor.
