DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The No. 1 ranked Wartburg wrestling team won its second consecutive NCAA Regional Championship with 157 team points. Senior Kenny Anderson (Billerica, Mass.) was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler.
Anderson avenged his loss against Jimmy Gotto at the Iowa Conference Championship dual with his win in the semifinals. He later avenged his loss against Evan Obert with a 6-3 decision to defend his regional title.
"I think the pressure was more on (my opponents) as they knew I was hungry in those rematches," said Anderson. "For me, revenge was motivation."
Anderson returns to the National Championships as the two-time defending National Champion. "Going into nationals, I know I have a bulls eye on my back," he said. "This is my last tournament of my career and I will do whatever I can to win the title."
Seniors Gilberto Camacho (Fresno, Calif.), Anderson, Cole Welter (Gilbertville) and Landon Williams (Davenport) defend their regional title. Welter wrestled at 157 and Williams at 165 last year. Senior Ryan Fank (Independence) won the rematch of the regional title final against Loras' James Buss.
"Our goal today was to have every guy qualify for the National Championships," said head coach, Eric Keller. "I am real proud of how everyone did and in no way disappointed we didn't get all ten guys in.
"This (today) is the best we've wrestled all season from top to bottom in our lineup," he continued. "Even with the regional title, all of the guys are still hungry and know they need to improve on some things for nationals."
Keller saw the old Anderson in action in his matches today. "Kenny thrives under pressure and he wrestled like the old Kenny today." Anderson returned to the lineup second semester and has battled some injuries in his return.
Freshman Connor Campo won his first regional title with his 3-1 decision in overtime.
"You'd never realize Campo is a freshman by how he approaches everything," commented Keller. "He's poised in his approach and focused."
Puna Soriano repeated as regional runner-up.
Other Notes:
-Camacho increased his winning streak to 13
-Williams has a team-best 37 wins and increased his winning streak to 16.
-Williams remains undefeated against DIII opponents.
-He has 131 career wins which is tied for seventh on the program's all-time win list.
-Williams extended his margin as the program's all-time leader in tech falls and has 28 in his career.
-Soriano surpassed the 30-win mark for the season in his quarterfinal win.
-Fank increased his lead as the program's all-time leader in pins.
-Fank has a team-best 16 wins by fall.
-Wartburg qualified nine competitors for the NCAA National Championships. The Knights had qualified all ten for the last four straight years (2010-2013).
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