Four qualifiers make noise at nationals
The Flames sent four wrestlers to the 2008 NCWA National Championships. In order to wrestle at this prestigious tournament, wrestlers must place in their medal round during their conference championships. The Lee Flames are part of the Mid-Atlantic Conference and only the top four finishers from each weight class would get an automatic berth to the NCWA National Championships. The Flames ended up qualifying four to the National Tournament: Joe Jellison (125), Matt Spies (157), Casey Grisham (165), and Matt Aycoth (184). These four represented the Flames at the three-day event held from March 13-15. Jellison posted two victories for the Flames while Spies and Aycoth each posted one victory. The Lee Flames racked up 6.5 team points earning a 49th place finish out of 75 teams.
Top 5 Team Finishes
1. Grand Valley State University 135.5
2. Newman University 124
3. University of Central Florida 122.5
4. United States Naval Academy 114.5
5. Marion Military Institute 76
49. Lee University 6.5
Individual Statistics
125 – Joe Jellison (Lee University) Major Decision Micah Heineck (Lafayette College) 11-3; Joe Jellison (Lee University) Pin By Marco Estrada (UC-San Diego) 0:56; Joe Jellison (Lee University) Major Decision Michael Donovan (Grand Valley State University) 16-4; Joe Jellison (Lee University) Decision By Tyler Williamson (Kansas State University) 12-7
157 – Matt Spies (Lee University) Decision By Aeron Hill (Newman University) 5-4; Matt Spies (Lee University) Decision Joshua Paulus (Bowling Green State University) 12-8; Matt Spies (Lee University) Pin By Michael Sinagra (Georgia Tech) 6:19
165 – Casey Grisham (Lee University) Technical Fall By Michael Wright (University of Delaware) 18-2; Casey Grisham (Lee University) Decision By Anthony Maselli (U Mass-Amherst) 3-1
184 – Matt Aycoth (Lee University) Pin By Zac Gallagher (Williamson Trade) 5:42; Matt Aycoth (Lee University) Pin Patrick Wolfe (Kennesaw State University) 4:58; Matt Aycoth (Lee University) Technical Fall By Russ Korbul (Northampton Community College) 17-1
