LAKELAND, Fla.--A record number on Southeastern University wrestlers are headed to Wichita for the NAIA National Championships.
The Fire qualified 11 of their 12 wrestlers during Saturday's Mid-South Conference South Division Championship, hosted at The Furnace.
Two earned bids by winning their respective weight classes with Stephen Kelle earning a thrilling 8-7 win over No. 4 Asher Eichert scoring a takedown with two seconds remaining to come away with the win and earn his first trip to nationals.
"We lost by a second the last time (Life) was here," said coach Travis Patrick of Kelle's match. "We knew he was capable of winning, was down by four going into the third and kept picking away."
The other victory came at 285 in the last match of the day when Gage Braun won by major decision over No. 5 JJ Perez of Life by the score of 9-0.
"Gage has stepped up and excelled for us," said Patrick. "Both of those guys have had consistent efforts this year and continue to get better."
Finishing second were Isaac Crowell at 125, coming up just short in sudden victory against No. 2 Brandon Orum of Life, Xavier Williamson at 133, Wyatt Kirkham at 165, Blake Rypel at 184, and Trillyon Fils-Aime at 197. Crowell, Kirkham, Rypel, and Fils-Aime earned automatic qualifying spots.
Kael Brisker earned a wild card spot after finishing third at 141. Andreus Bond and Sal Silva each earned automatic bids after finishing third and fourth at 149, respectively.
Trace Braun will be joining his brother Gage in Wichita, getting an automatic spot after finishing third at 157.
As a team, the Fire finished second scoring 161 points.
The national championships begin on Friday, March 4th.
