By Harrison LaLone, Sports Information student assistant
Alma, Mich. - Sophomore Brendan Ladd (Ortonville, Mich./Brandon) of the Alma College wrestling team departs today (Thursday, March 8) with Head Coach Jeremiah Tobias for Cleveland, Ohio, the site of the 2018 NCAA Division III National Championships. Ladd is a first-time national qualifier, and represents the fifth consecutive year that Alma has sent a wrestler to nationals.
Ladd enters the tournament with an overall record of 33-5 after placing third in the NCAA III Central Regional. Of his 33 victories, 16 of them were strung together between the Trine Invitational on Nov. 11 and the North Central Invitational on Dec. 9. During this stretch, Ladd faced his eventual foe for third place in the regional tournament, Mount Union's (OH) Alec Cotton.
"I knew he was going to drag out the match," Ladd said. "Then, I watched his match before ours and that kind of added to it because he did exactly what I thought he was going to do in that match also."
Ladd and Cotton entered the third period tied at 2-2, with Ladd's decision to start down.
"That's where Ladd does a really good job: capitalizing on situations," Tobias said. "He doesn't worry so much about the small things."
Tobias stressed this week the need to not focus on the little issues Ladd will face.
"He's done all the leg-work this year going into the postseason," Tobias said. "Now it's just going into the tournament with the right mindset."
When asked about his most impactful piece of advice this year, Ladd cited a conversation he and Tobias had after his first match of the season. Tobias had urged him to remember to "have fun" when he's wrestling. This philosophy has helped him keep his mindset and get some of his nerves out.
"Some of the best guys in the country don't even make it to nationals because they get themsleves all worked up," Tobias said. "You have to get them to remember what they're doing it for. You do it because you love it."
Ladd begins the NCAA III Championships in one of only two entrance or "pigtail" matches. To Ladd, he actually sees this as an advantage.
"It gives me a chance to get my first match out of the way and get the nerves out," Ladd said. "It allows me to get the feeling of the atmosphere and just be ready for the next one."
Ladd added that many times the first match can be your worst, so he feels having the opening-round match will only benefit him.
Despite being the lone Scot competing in the NCAA III tournament, Ladd will not be alone in Cleveland. Tobias encouraged the rest of the team to travel along in support of their teammate.
"I think there are only a couple guys that can't make it," Tobias said. "It's a great opportunity for them to see the big stage and what the goal they're working for looks like."
As for Ladd's chances in the tournament, Tobias said he has the potential to become Alma's fifth All-American.
"He's got as good of a shot as anyone to be an All-American," Tobias said. "Where the seeds are at, in my opinion, may not be where the guys will be at on the awards stand."
Ladd will open competition with Tim Ambacher of Delaware Valley University on Friday, March 9, at 11 a.m.
