Johnson, Streck win individual titles, help Central Oklahoma to DII National team title

The 2024 NCAA DII National Championships came to a close on Saturday night, as all ten champions were crowned and the Central Oklahoma Bronchos earned the team trophy.

Central Oklahoma captured its second-straight team title with 110.0 points, followed by Lander in second with 86.5 points, and Nebraska-Kearney in third with 77.5 points. McKendree and St. Cloud State trailed closely behind in fourth and fifth place with 73.0 and 64.0 points respectively.

In the final at 125 pounds, Rohman was all over the legs of Mejia, who received a stall warning with one minute left in the period. The first came to a close with no score, as it was Rohman that got to the legs of Mejia four times in the first few minutes. Rohman started the second on top, but Mejia worked to a quick escape to lead 1-0. The Bearcat was able to get Rohman to the mat for three to take a 4-0 lead. The lead was cut to two after an escape and Mejia was caught for stalling, giving Rohman another point. Mejia worked his way to over a minute of riding time after starting the third period on top, which proved to be the difference maker in the match as Christian Mejia was crowned the National Champion at 125 pounds.

History was made at 133 pounds as Gabe Hixenbaugh of Montevallo became not only the first wrestling National Champion, but the first ever National Champion for Montevallo in any sport. Hixenbaugh initiated control after a single leg takedown, closing out the first period on top. Defending national champion Gavin Quiocho earned the one point escape after Hixenbaugh started on top for the second period. In the third, Hixenbaugh added an escape to lead 4-1 and ultimately get the victory.

At 141 pounds, Zackary Donathan of Tiffin became a two-time national champion after defeating Nick James of Nebraska-Kearney. Donathan seized the early advantage with a takedown, and James fought back with an escape in the first. With the time winding down, Donathan attempts a late shot and James counters, but it’s Donathan that gets the takedown to secure the 13-3 victory.

Jacob Ealy of Pitt-Johnstown captured the title at 149 pounds after defeating Cody Thompson of Colorado School of Mines. Ealy established his authority early in the match, yet Thompson continued to chop at the lead. Three points were awarded to Thompson on the edge, but were called back after an officials review in the third period. Ealy held on to the victory and brought home a national title in his fourth trip to the NCAA National tournament.

In the 157-pound final, Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma prevailed over defending national champion Nick Novak of St. Cloud State. Johnson's agility was on full display as he opened up the scoring. He continued his momentum throughout the match, adding a reversal after starting the second period on bottom. Novak had a late surge, but Johnson held off his attack for the 9-7 decision.

No. 1 seed David Hunsberger of Lander claimed the national title at 165 pounds. Hunsberger managed to get Luensman on his back after Luensman attempted a shot, although no points were awarded. Hunsberger then secures a takedown on a single leg, catching Luensman off balance, leading 3-0. Luensman earns two escape points, closing the gap to 3-2. As Hunsberger attempts another takedown, it's pulled out of bounds, resulting in a stall warning for Luensman and one for Hunsberger shortly after. Hunsberger gains three more points, leading 6-2. In the third period, Hunsberger earns another point in the neutral position, while Luensman secures three points, with Hunsberger cutting him loose, resulting in an 8-5 score. Upper Iowa challenges a takedown on the edge, but it's denied, and the score remains 8-5 in Lander’s favor. The match ends with Luensman earning one more point due to Hunsberger's stalling, making the final score 8-6 in favor of Hunsberger.

In the 174-pound match between Josh Kenny of Grand Valley State and Anthony Des Vigne of Central Oklahoma, the first period ended scoreless. However, in the second period, Kenny takes control as he starts from the top position and secures four back points, earning a significant advantage. He repeats the move to lead 8-0, but manages to get on top for the pin at 4:47.

Ty McGeary’s dominance was on full display as he picked up the major decision against Matt Weinberg of Kutztown. McGeary went back-to-back for the Hilltoppers at 184 pounds. Weinberg’s lone point in the match came on a stall call against McGeary.

At 197 pounds, Derek Blubaugh of Indianapolis used a 5-1 decision to get past Dalton Abney of Central Oklahoma. In their third NCAA finals matchup, it was Blubaugh that finally defeated Abney for his first NCAA title. The single takedown from Blubaugh in the second period proved to be the difference maker for the junior, as Abney was unable to generate offense in the match.

The night closed with Shawn Streck of Central Oklahoma claiming his second national title. Streck gave up a takedown to Juan Edmond-Holmes of Lander early, but fired back with seven points as Edmond-Holmes wasn’t able to get back on offense and regain the lead.

Brackets and full results from the 2024 NCAA DII National Championships in Wichita, Kansas, can be found here.

2024 NCAA DII National Championships

At Wichita, Kansas, March 15-16

Team Results

1       Central Oklahoma        110.0

2       Lander       86.5

3       Nebraska-Kearney       77.5

4       McKendree         73.0

5       St. Cloud State    64.0

6       Pitt-Johnstown    45.0

7       Wisconsin-Parkside     41.0

8       Augustana (SD) 40.5

9       Indianapolis        37.5

10     Adams State        33.5

10     UNC Pembroke 33.5

12     Glenville State    32.5

13     West Liberty       32.0

14     Grand Valley State       31.0

15     Northern State     29.0

16     Kutztown   27.0

17     Upper Iowa         25.0

18     Gannon      24.5

19     Tiffin          23.5

20     Maryville   22.5

21     Montevallo          21.5

22     Western Colorado        20.5

23     Millersville         19.0

24     UMary       18.5

25     Colorado School of Mines    17.0

26     Lake Erie   14.5

27     Notre Dame (Ohio)      12.5

28     Central Missouri          10.0

29     Ashland     8.5

29     Mercyhurst          8.5

31     Newberry   8.0

32     Colorado Mesa   6.5

33     Frostburg State   4.5

34     Davenport 4.0

35     Belmont Abbey   3.5

36     Ouachita Baptist 2.5

37     Chadron State     1.0

37     Fort Hays State   1.0

37     Limestone 1.0

37     Simon Fraser       1.0

37     Sioux Falls          1.0

42     CSU-Pueblo        0.5

43     Coker         0.0

43     Drury         0.0

43     Emmanuel 0.0

43     Fairmont State    0.0

43     King 0.0

43     Newman    0.0

43     San Francisco State      0.0

43     Seton Hill 0.0

43     Southwest Minnesota State   0.0

Full Results

125 pounds

1st Place - Christian Mejia of McKendree

2nd Place - Jaxson Rohman of Augustana (SD)

3rd Place - James Joplin of Lander

4th Place - Isaiah Gamez of Adams State

5th Place - Zachary Ourada of Nebraska-Kearney

6th Place - Shane Corrigan of Wisconsin-Parkside

7th Place - Trevon Gray of Pitt-Johnstown

8th Place - Manuel Leija of Davenport

1st Place Match

Christian Mejia (McKendree) dec. Jaxson Rohman (Augustana (SD)), 5-2

3rd Place Match

James Joplin (Lander) dec.Isaiah Gamez (Adams State), 4-3

5th Place Match

Zachary Ourada (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Shane Corrigan (Wisconsin-Parkside), 5-3

7th Place Match

Trevon Gray (Pitt-Johnstown) dec. Manuel Leija (Davenport), 7-2

133 pounds

1st Place - Gabe Hixenbaugh of Montevallo

2nd Place - Gavin Quiocho of Glenville State

3rd Place - Devin Flannery of Millersville

4th Place - Reece Barnhardt of UMary

5th Place - Jeremiah Echevarria of Gannon

6th Place - Elijah Lusk of Lander

7th Place - Ryan Ripplinger of McKendree

8th Place - Thierno Diallo of Frostburg State

1st Place Match

Gabe Hixenbaugh (Montevallo) dec. Gavin Quiocho (Glenville State), 4-1

3rd Place Match

Devin Flannery (Millersville) dec. Reece Barnhardt (UMary), 9-4

5th Place Match

Jeremiah Echevarria (Gannon) maj. dec. Elijah Lusk (Lander ), 13-2

7th Place Match

Ryan Ripplinger (McKendree) med. forf. Thierno Diallo (Frostburg State)

141 pounds

1st Place - Zackary Donathan of Tiffin

2nd Place - Nick James of Nebraska-Kearney

3rd Place - Ronan Schuelke of McKendree

4th Place - Angel Flores of Adams State

5th Place - Tate Murty of Upper Iowa

6th Place - Jake Niffenegger of Mercyhurst

7th Place - Khyvon Grace of West Liberty

8th Place - Hunter Burnett of Augustana (SD)

1st Place Match

Zackary Donathan (Tiffin) maj. dec. Nick James (Nebraska-Kearney), 13-3

3rd Place Match

Ronan Schuelke (McKendree) maj. dec. Angel Flores (Adams State), 11-2

5th Place Match

Tate Murty (Upper Iowa) maj. dec. Jake Niffenegger (Mercyhurst), 9-0

7th Place Match

Khyvon Grace (West Liberty) med. forf. Hunter Burnett (Augustana (SD))

149 pounds

1st Place - Jacob Ealy of Pitt-Johnstown

2nd Place - Cody Thompson of Colorado School of Mines

3rd Place - Colby Njos of St. Cloud State

4th Place - Dylan Brown of Central Oklahoma

5th Place - Zeth Brower of Lander

6th Place - Jalen Spuhler of Wisconsin-Parkside

7th Place - Dean Noble of Western Colorado

8th Place - Devan Moore of Newberry

1st Place Match

Jacob Ealy (Pitt-Johnstown) dec. Cody Thompson (Colorado School of Mines), 12-7

3rd Place Match

Colby Njos (St. Cloud State) dec. Dylan Brown (Central Oklahoma), 3-1

5th Place Match

Zeth Brower (Lander ) maj. dec. Jalen Spuhler (Wisconsin-Parkside), 17-5

7th Place Match

Dean Noble (Western Colorado) maj. dec. Devan Moore (Newberry), 16-3

157 pounds

1st Place - Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma

2nd Place - Nick Novak of St. Cloud State

3rd Place - Guy Deleonardis of Glenville State

4th Place - Jack Haskin of Lake Erie

5th Place - Devin Bahr of Northern State

6th Place - Keegan Roberson of UNC Pembroke

7th Place - Owen Zablocki of Indianapolis

8th Place - Bailey Gimbor of Kutztown

1st Place Match

Gabe Johnson (Central Oklahoma) dec. Nick Novak (St. Cloud State), 10-7

3rd Place Match

Guy Deleonardis (Glenville State) dec. Jack Haskin (Lake Erie), 8-1

5th Place Match

Devin Bahr (Northern State) pin Keegan Roberson (UNC Pembroke), 2:25

7th Place Match

Owen Zablocki (Indianapolis) maj. dec. Bailey Gimbor (Kutztown), 18-7

165 pounds

1st Place - David Hunsberger of Lander

2nd Place - Chase Luensman of Upper Iowa

3rd Place - Hunter Jump of Central Oklahoma

4th Place - Cory Peterson of McKendree

5th Place - Cole Ritter of Maryville

6th Place - Nicholas Coreno of Gannon

7th Place - Aaden Valdez of Adams State

8th Place - Anthony Herrera of St. Cloud State

1st Place Match

David Hunsberger (Lander) dec. Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa), 8-6

3rd Place Match

Hunter Jump (Central Oklahoma) dec. Cory Peterson (McKendree), SV-1 4-1

5th Place Match

Cole Ritter (Maryville) maj. dec. Nicholas Coreno (Gannon), 15-2

7th Place Match

Aaden Valdez (Adams State) maj. dec. Anthony Herrera (St. Cloud State), 13-0

174 pounds

1st Place - Josh Kenny of Grand Valley State

2nd Place - Anthony Des Vigne of Central Oklahoma

3rd Place - Scott Joll of UNC Pembroke

4th Place - Seth Brossard of Northern State

5th Place - Trey Sizemore of Indianapolis

6th Place - Brody Hemauer of Wisconsin-Parkside

7th Place - Cole Hernandez of Western Colorado

8th Place - Cole Glazier of St. Cloud State

1st Place Match

Josh Kenny (Grand Valley State) pin Anthony Des Vigne (Central Oklahoma), 4:47

3rd Place Match

Scott Joll (UNC Pembroke) maj. dec. Seth Brossard (Northern State), 16-3

5th Place Match

Trey Sizemore (Indianapolis) maj. dec. Brody Hemauer (Wisconsin-Parkside), 11-3

7th Place Match

Cole Hernandez (Western Colorado) dec. Cole Glazier (St. Cloud State), 12-10

184 pounds

1st Place - Ty McGeary of West Liberty

2nd Place - Matt Weinberg of Kutztown

3rd Place - Billy Higgins of Nebraska-Kearney

4th Place - Reece Worachek of Wisconsin-Parkside

5th Place - Damon Ashworth of Central Missouri

6th Place - Garrett Wells of Central Oklahoma

7th Place - Anthony Yacovetti of Lander

8th Place - Bryce Fitzpatrick of St. Cloud State

1st Place Match

Ty McGeary (West Liberty) maj. dec. Matt Weinberg (Kutztown), 9-1

3rd Place Match

Billy Higgins (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Reece Worachek (Wisconsin-Parkside), 7-3

5th Place Match

Damon Ashworth (Central Missouri) maj. dec. Garrett Wells (Central Oklahoma), 11-3

7th Place Match

Anthony Yacovetti (Lander ) dec. Bryce Fitzpatrick (St. Cloud State), 8-2

197 pounds

1st Place - Derek Blubaugh of Indianapolis

2nd Place - Dalton Abney of Central Oklahoma

3rd Place - Logan Kvien of McKendree

4th Place - Jackson Kinsella of Nebraska-Kearney

5th Place - Dominic Murphy of St. Cloud State

6th Place - Max Ramberg of Augustana (SD)

7th Place - Dakoda Rodgers of Pitt-Johnstown

8th Place - Wyatt Miller of Grand Valley State

1st Place Match

Derek Blubaugh (Indianapolis) dec. Dalton Abney (Central Oklahoma), 5-1

3rd Place Match

Logan Kvien (McKendree) dec. Jackson Kinsella (Nebraska-Kearney), 2-0

5th Place Match

Dominic Murphy (St. Cloud State) maj. dec. Max Ramberg (Augustana (SD)), 14-4

7th Place Match

Dakoda Rodgers (Pitt-Johnstown) dec. Wyatt Miller (Grand Valley State), 5-1

285 pounds

1st Place - Shawn Streck of Central Oklahoma

2nd Place - Juan Edmond-Holmes of Lander

3rd Place - Crew Howard of Nebraska-Kearney

4th Place - La`Ron Parks of Notre Dame (Ohio)

5th Place - Isaiah Vance of Pitt-Johnstown

6th Place - Zach Peterson of Augustana (SD)

7th Place - Ryan Herman of Maryville

8th Place - Luke Tweeton of UMary

1st Place Match

Shawn Streck (Central Oklahoma) dec. Juan Edmond-Holmes (Lander ), 7-4

3rd Place Match

Crew Howard (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. La`Ron Parks (Notre Dame (Ohio)), 4-0

5th Place Match

Isaiah Vance (Pitt-Johnstown) maj. dec. Zach Peterson (Augustana (SD)), 8-0

7th Place Match

Ryan Herman (Maryville) dec. Luke Tweeton (UMary), 4-2