Wrestling 10th in the Nation!

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor of The Bear Zone/ Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

            On January 31^st, Mercer’s Wrestling Club Team finished tenth in the nation during a national tournament composed of the twenty best teams from across the nation.  Invitations to the tournament were based on the club’s past performances and current strength of schedule.  Led by head coach Kevin Andres, the Bears were placed in a bracket with teams from major universities such as Central Florida, Auburn, Bowling Green, Kansas State, and LSU. 

            After Friday’s competition, Mercer was one of the 16 teams remaining and were ranked tenth.  Pooled with three-time national champion Grand Valley State (Michigan), nationally ranked Bowling Green, as well as LSU, the Bears initially lost two tough matches before facing the University of Dayton.  Paired against the team that had beaten them in November, Mercer beat the Flyers by 10 points to secure a top-10 finish nationally. 

            Miraclously, Mercer did it without their 174 lb wrestler in the mix who suffered an injury earlier and was taken to the hospital.  Led by undefeated former baseball player Jerod Northcott (11-0 with two tournament wins) and Nic Barker, the Bears had an unbelievable showing with a national audience on tap.  Northcott, Barker, and Kyle Eastis are all currently ranked within the top five of their respective weight classes after the tournament.