Five Jayhawk wrestlers still in the hunt for individual national championship

Local Sports Journal

Five Muskegon Community College wrestlers will be vying for individual national championships on Saturday at the NJCAA National Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.

Advancing to the quarterfinals were Steven Ruppert at 141 pounds, Dillon Francisco at 165 pounds, Riley Boomer at 174 pounds, Thomas Bolday at 197 and Brett Martin at 285.

Bolday notched an impressive victory by knocking off returning All-American Jacob Laden of Clackamus Community College. Laden finished fourth a year ago at 285 pounds.

Ruppert, Francisco and Martin are all 2-0 heading into the second session.

Winning one more match will secure All-American status for the MCC wrestlers.

Team wise, the Jayhawks are in 22nd place, but within striking distance of finishing in the Top 10.

 “Five All-Americans will put us in the hunt for some hardware out here and that is our goal,” said Coach Mark Brunger.  “The team is focused and I am very confident in their ability to get the job done.”