6 Roughnecks to Compete at Nationals
Six University of Findlay wrestlers will hit the mat on March 10-11 in Birmingham, Ala. for the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship. The Roughnecks, who are ranked 12th nationally according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, will be led by senior Nick Goebel at the event.
Goebel enters the national tournament as the top-ranked wrestler in the 149-pound weight class. Goebel is 19-0 on the season and has twice been named a NCAA Division II All-American. He is ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Most Dominant Wrestler standings and has accumulated 105 career wins at Findlay, the ninth-best total all-time.
Goebel, who has won three regional titles in his career, will square off against Seton Hill's Ty Lydic in the opening round. Lydic has posted a 21-11 record this season.
Senior Joey White is ranked seventh in the nation and will face Colorado State-Pueblo's Kyle Fantin (26-13) in the opening round of the 157-pound weight bracket. White, who has a 14-3 record for the Roughnecks this season, ranks fourth all-time at UF with 114 career victories.
Junior Bradley Metz enters the tournament ranked fourth among all NCAA Division II wrestlers in the 174-pound weight class. Metz has posted a 27-6 record for Findlay this season and has a total of 86 victories during his career with the Roughnecks. He is scheduled to face Notre Dame's Justan Rivera (14-8) in the first round.
Sophomore Alonzo Turner heads into the event with a 31-10 record in the 165-pound weight class and will face Lindenwood's Kyle Jolas (19-11), who is ranked tenth nationally, in the opening round. Turner is making his second trip to nationals and has posted 62 wins during his brief tenure with the team.
Junior heavyweight Mimmo Lytle was a NCAA Division I national qualifier for Kent State University during the 2015 campaign and will be making his first trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship. Lytle has an 11-1 record this year and is scheduled to face Notre Dame's Kameron Teacher (13-8) in round one.
Sophomore Devin Rogers (21-20) is also making his first trip to nationals and will wrestle Colorado State-Pueblo's Paul Garcia (16-4) in the first round of the 133-pound weight bracket.
For links to the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championship, please click below: