On Friday, March 13 to Saturday, March 14, the Ashland University Eagles traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to compete in the NCAA Division II Championship meet.

Multiple Eagles went and represented the University to try and become a National Champion or at least become an All-American. During the trip, only one Eagle was able to reach the All-American level.

That all All-American status went to redshirt senior, Nate Barrett. His journey started with a 14-6 major decision against junior from New Mexico Highlands, Ivan Smith Jr.

Barrett would fall to redshirt freshman from McKendree, Sam Richardson, in a decision 1-0. He would bounce back in a 12-8 decision victory against Fort Hays State, Cason Lindsey.

In Barrett’s final matches, he would lose both of them. First redshirt sophomore, Lane Ewing, in an 11-6 decision. And in rematch with Smith Jr., he would lose in a 10-4 fall. Barret would finish in the top eight and secure the last spot as All-American for the 165-weight class.

Another Eagle who competed was junior Hayden Kuhn in the 149-weight class. In his first match, he faced off against graduate student from Adams State, Angel Flores. Kuhn would win the match off an 8-3 decision.

Kuhn’s next two matches, he would first go against Wisconsin-Parkside graduate student, Jalen Spuhler, but lose that one in an 11-4 fall. In the second match, senior Brennan Watkins from King University would beat Kuhn in a 2-1 fall.

Ashland had three other wrestlers competing in the Nationals meet: redshirt senior Sevriano Garza (174), redshirt freshman Fletcher Rose (184), and redshirt junior Peyton Lemon (197). All athletes lost both of their matches that they competed in.