UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – Wrestling to keep their seasons alive and qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Alma College men's wrestling team took to the mats at John Carroll University in Ohio at the NCAA Central Regional tournament. The Scots own Cayden Bell finished second in the 285-pound division, qualifying for the NCAA National Championship as the Scots first wrestler since 2019 to do so. (Alma qualified for the NWCA Division III National Championship in 2021)
Bell opened his tournament up with a bout against Alex Copestick from Wheaton College (Ill.) by fall in 6:33 time, advancing him to the next round on Friday. Bell then faced off against familiar foe Bode Brown from fellow Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association member Albion College, in a tightly contested match. Bell and Brown found themselves tied and needing extra time where Bell was able to pull out a win by sudden victory, 2-2. Moving on, Bell faced off against another MIAA member in The University of Olivet's Mason Knight, where again the match was tightly contested and needed extra time, where Bell won a low scoring match, 2-1 in the semifinals. Heading into the championship match, with a spot already secured to the National Championship, Bell faced off against Titus Waters of Wabash College in the Regional Championship. Bell would ultimately be defeated by decision with a score of 8-1, still earning All-Region status and a trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Dominic Gumtow headed into the Saturday undefeated as well but on Saturday close losses cut the stellar freshman's season short at the regional tournament. Gumtow opened the tournament with wins over Thomas Miller of Trine University and Hunter Keane of Case Western Reserve University by fall (1:11) and technical fall (5:35) before dropping his matches on Saturday and finishing sixth overall while earning All-Region for his placement.
Luke Martin collected the Scots third podium finish of the tournament as he was able to claim eighth place in the 174-pound division. Martin opened his tournament with a loss that was quickly reversed with a win by fall (6:31) over hutch Lynott of the University of Chicago. Martin then added another victory over Nolan Rowley of Albion College by major decision 17-5. Martin ultimately dropped his final two matches of the tournament but still secured an eighth-place finish, also earning All-Region.
Other Scots earning victories at the Regional included Jushawn Ferrell Jr, Waylon Lamkin and Paul Wilson.
The NCAA Division III National Championship will take place on Friday and Saturday March 13th and 14th, at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
