For junior Zack Mullins and sophomore Sammy Johnson, this is a return trip to the NAIA National Wrestling Championships. For junior transfer Josh Rogers, this will be his first trip to the national stage. The Briar Cliff wrestling team (under the direction of head coach Damon Clayborne) sent three Chargers to this year's NAIA National Wrestling Championships, which begin at 1 p.m., today, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Rogers, a 133-pounder, is 10-4 on the season and leads the team with four wins by fall. He qualified for nationals by placing third at the regional tournament. He has won four-straight matches and eight of his last nine. Mullins is 12-12 at 149, while the 165-pound Johnson is 12-9. Johnson, who leads the team with 25 takedowns, has lost four of his last five matches.
The national meet will take place at Abe Lemons Arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University. The event will feature three days of action on the mat, capped off with 10 individuals earning national titles on Saturday night and the crowning of a team champion. Today's schedule will include a single session of championship round preliminary and first round matches. Two sessions will take place on Friday, starting with a 10 a.m. round of championship quarterfinals along with preliminary, first, second and third round matches of consolation action. The third session, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, will feature championship semifinal matches and two rounds of consolation wrestling. Medal matches will get underway at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the championship finals starting at 6:30 p.m.