What:The NJCAA Wrestling Championships will be held in Rochester. This season marks the 13th time the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission has hosted the event.
When:The two-day event will begin on Friday and conclude on Saturday. The event will be held at UCR Regional Sports Center on the Rochester Community and Technical College campus. Action begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday with first round-matches. The 10 championship bouts on Saturday start at 7 p.m. The title matches will be broadcasted live on NJCAA TV at www.njcaatv.ihigh.com.
Numbers involved:A total of 268 wrestlers from 43 two-year colleges across the country will compete for both team and individual honors.
Top teams:Iowa Central Community College enters the event ranked No. 1 in the nation and has six district championships who have qualified. Iowa Central placed fourth a year ago. The Tritons boast two returning All-Americans in Brandon Wright (133 pounds) and Michael Perez (157 pounds).
Second-ranked Labette Community College (Kan.) and No. 3 Lincoln College (Ill.) also have six district championships competing. Defending national champion Clackamas Community College (Ore.) has five district champions on hand.
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RCTC qualifiers:The host Yellowjackets have seven wrestlers who have qualified for the event: Dillon Solberg (125 pounds), Nate Larson (133), Tyler Jackson (149), Holton Lubinski (157), Shelby Deno (184), Logan Barrett (197) and Jake Minske (heavyweight). No RCTC wrestler was a district champion, but Barrett and Minske both finished second in their weight class.
Any wrestler who finishes in the top eight is an All-American.
"I think any one of these guys has a good opportunity of becoming an All-American," RCTC coach Randy Rager said.
Admission:An all-tournament pass is $30 for adults and $25 for students. Single sessions prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students.
— Guy N. Limbeck
