Junior Zach Rieger Punches Ticket to NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Junior co-captain Zach Rieger earned his first trip to the NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling National Championships after finishing in third place at 285 pounds on the final day of the Midwest Regional hosted here at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum by Manchester University.

On Friday, Rieger provided the top highlight for the Bulldogs with a pair of pins to advance to the semifinals of the 285-pound class. He began his day with a win over Alma's Robert Rankin in 1 minute and 28 seconds and dispatched Sam Hipple—noted as a contender for the title by D3wrestle.com--from nationally-ranked Wabash in the same amount of time.

This afternoon, Rieger squared off against Jesse Judge from nationally-ranked Olivet but suffered his first loss of the tournament in a 1:10 pin.

The social studies major, however, rebounded with a medical forfeit victory in his next bout before edging Konrad Ernst (Wisconsin-LaCrosse) in a thrilling 3-2 decision to punch his Nationals ticket.

"Zach went 0-2 at this meet last year, so I'm very proud of his accomplishment," said first-year Adrian coach Bill Schindel. "He was the first guy to buy into the program (when we arrived over the summer). He did everything we asked as a coaching staff. And today it showed."

As a team, Adrian finished in 12th place with 22 points out of 16 schools. Nationally-ranked Wabash College defeated Wisconsin-LaCrosse, 134-102, to capture the Midwest crown.

Rieger is the second Bulldog in as many years to participate in the NCAA national championships, with the 2017 version taking place March 10-11 in LaCrosse, Wis. He quadrupled his win total this season from his five victories in 2016, as 14 of his 20 wins have come via pinfall.

"It's been a very long journey for myself and the program as a whole. We basically had to start all over again when Coach Schindel was hired in," Rieger said after his third-place win. "It's an amazing feeling to earn a berth to the national tournament.

"I wouldn't have even been in this position if it wasn't for my coaches, who pushed me to get better each and every day. I have to thank the best drill partner in the country, Clarence Kennedy. We beat each other up every day and we've both seen a lot of improvement because we push each other every day. It's a tremendous feeling to be going to the national tournament."

Adrian Bulldogs Midwest Regional Results
133 - Dominic Paterra (12-16) place is unknown and scored 1.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Ryan Weinmann (University Of Wisconsin-Lacrosse) 26-7 won by decision over Dominic Paterra (Adrian College) 12-16 (Dec 8-6)
Cons. Round 1 - Dominic Paterra (Adrian College) 12-16 won by major decision over Noah Lopez (Alma College) 13-13 (MD 13-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Jared Brickley (Olivet College) 19-10 won by major decision over Dominic Paterra (Adrian College) 12-16 (MD 13-5)

141 - Emmanuel Rankine (0-2) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Devin Broukal (Wabash College) 12-1 won by fall over Emmanuel Rankine (Adrian College) 0-2 (Fall 3:16)
Cons. Round 1 - Emmanuel Rankine (Adrian College) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Grant Morrison (University Of Chicago) 28-13 won by tech fall over Emmanuel Rankine (Adrian College) 0-2 (TF-1.5 4:34 (18-2)

149 - Ty Jasman (8-19) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Griffin Schermer (Wabash College) 27-6 won by major decision over Ty Jasman (Adrian College) 8-19 (MD 13-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Alex Heiden (University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) 7-17 won in sudden victory - 1 over Ty Jasman (Adrian College) 8-19 (SV-1 7-5)

157 - Dylan Steward (15-11) place is unknown and scored 2.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Steward (Adrian College) 15-11 won by tech fall over Nick Miller (Trine University) 6-25 (TF-1.5 7:00 (21-6)
Quarterfinal - Keone Derain (Elmhurst College) 2-0 won by major decision over Dylan Steward (Adrian College) 15-11 (MD 15-1)
Cons. Round 2 - Jordan Napier (Manchester University) 9-10 won by decision over Dylan Steward (Adrian College) 15-11 (Dec 21-20)

165 - James Pace (2-20) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Logan Hermsen (University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) 29-2 won by fall over James Pace (Adrian College) 2-20 (Fall 0:51)
Cons. Round 1 - Brandon Mattinen (North Central College) 16-22 won by decision over James Pace (Adrian College) 2-20 (Dec 7-6)

197 - Riley Griffin (3-15) place is unknown and scored 0.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Riley Lefever (Wabash College) 33-3 won by fall over Riley Griffin (Adrian College) 3-15 (Fall 1:22)
Cons. Round 1 - Riley Griffin (Adrian College) 3-15 won in sudden victory - 1 over Darion Newbolt (Manchester University) 2-9 (SV-1 4-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Riley Kauzlaric (University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater) 14-15 won by decision over Riley Griffin (Adrian College) 3-15 (Dec 4-2)

285 - Zach Rieger (19-6) placed 6th and scored 10.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Zach Rieger (Adrian College) 19-6 won by fall over Robert Rankin (Alma College) 2-11 (Fall 1:28)
Quarterfinal - Zach Rieger (Adrian College) 19-6 won by fall over Sam Hipple (Wabash College) 24-14 (Fall 1:28)
Semifinal - Jesse Judge (Olivet College) 20-8 won by fall over Zach Rieger (Adrian College) 21-7 (Fall 1:10)
Cons. Semi - Zach Rieger (Adrian College) 21-7 won by medical forfeit over Nathan Barcaskey (Ohio Northern University) 32-10 (M. For.)
3rd Place Match - Zach Rieger (Adrian College) 21-7 won by decision over Konrad Ernst (University Of Wisconsin-Lacrosse) 27-11 (Dec 3-2)