INDIANAPOLIS, IND.– The West Liberty Men’s Wrestling Team competed at the Division 2 NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 14th and 15th. The Hilltoppers sent three wrestlers to nationals, including freshman James Armstrong Jr., junior Khyvon Grace, and senior Ty McGeary. 

Armstrong entered his first national tournament with an impressive 27-9 record. The talented freshman started off the tournament with a first round match against  James Spencer, the six seed at 133 lbs..

Armstrong fought tough, but ultimately lost by a score of 5-1. In his second match, Armstrong drew Jakob Romero of Adams State. Armstrong dropped a close 4-2 decision to Romero, ending his season. 

Grace came into the tournament with a 12-6 record. Grace opened his tournament with a tough test in the three seed, Brayden Lowery. Grace pulled off the upset with a hard-fought 3-0 decision. Grace then squared off with Joseph Airola of Nebraska-Kearney. The match entered overtime, and Grace squeaked by with a 2-1 decision.

After that, Grace won his semifinal match, putting him in the finals at 141 lbs. Grace dropped a close 8-7 decision in the finals, earning him 2nd place at the tournament. 

Senior and two-time defending national champion Ty McGeary was looking to continue his legendary career by breaking the school record for national championships won by an individual. McGeary started fast, pinning his opponent in the first period. McGeary then won by an 11-2 major decision in the quarterfinals to become an All-American.

McGeary won a close 2-0 decision in the semifinals

to punch his ticket to the finals. In the finals, McGeary won by technical fall, scoring 20 points in the match. McGeary finishes his career at West Liberty as a three-time national champion and a career record of 132-7.