CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The Alma College men's wrestling team wrapped up their season over the weekend at the NCAA Central Region Tournament, in hopes of sending individuals to the National Championship. The Scots came close as two Alma wrestlers finished fifth and sixth, though it was not enough to make it to the championship.
Finishing in sixth-place in the region at 184 pounds was Eddie Williams. Willams, a two-time All-Region wrestler, has narrowly missed a bid to the national Championship the prior two years, and again this year missed it by a small margin. Williams opened the tournament with a win by major decision (13-3) over Owen McDaniel from Albion College, advancing him to the quarterfinals. In the quarters, Williams again won by major decision (14-3) over Gavin Kohel from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, sending him to the semifinals on Saturday. Williams would face off against a familiar foe in Blake Williams from Adrian College. Alma's Williams would ultimately be defeated by decision (5-1) sending him to the consolation ladder, with a chance to still reach the National Tournament. Williams battled in his next match against Payton Geigner from North Central College, though he would lose in the final minutes by fall (6:30). In the fifth-place and final match of the tournament for Williams, Cameron Crisp from Manchester University, would finish the match on top by decision (8-2), placing Williams in sixth for the regional.
Matt Johnson was the other Alma wrestler to finish top six in the region as he collected a fifth-place finish in the 285-pound division. Johnson opened the tournament up with a victory by fall over Jahlil Davis from Mount St. Joseph University in just 52 seconds. Following the opening round win, Johnson then dropped his quarterfinals match against Robby Bates from North Central, sending him to the consolation bracket, needing to win out for a chance at the National Tournament. Johnson opened up the consolation ladder with a win by decision (2-0) over Kyler Bills from MIAA opponent Trine University. Johnson then added another win by fall, this time over Isaak Smith from UW-Whitewater, sending him to the consolation semifinals. With a chance to compete for a spot to the National Championship on the line with a win, Johnson battled in the semifinal match, though ultimately Leno Campbell from Millikin University came away victorious, sending Johnson to a final match in the fifth-place bout. Johnson then regrouped and ended the season on a high-note with a win by fall over Thomas Lunt from John Carroll University, claiming fifth-place in the region.
Jushawn Ferrell Jr, Rodrick Love and Luke martin all grabbed victories at the regional as well, accumulating towards the Scots team points total.
Alma has now wrapped up their 2024-25 campaign and will wait for postseason awards to be released in the coming weeks following an energetic season.
