Wrestling makes NAIA National Championship Appearance

Gracie Goldsmith-Ding (JR/Lone, Calif.) punched her ticket to the inaugural NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships with her first-place win on February 25. Goldsmith-Ding won all three of her matches via fall and had a fantastic final bout with her win over Lessly Sandoval. After being in a tough spot with Sandoval in control, GoldsmithDing made a nice reversal to take control and get the pin just 1:13 into the match. She was the women's top finisher as she scored 25 of the team's 85.5 points. York also had three wrestlers finish in the top six with Lexis Vasquez (SR/Hurst, Texas), Allison Doppenberg (JR/Lakewood, Calif.), and Katy Figueroa (JR/West Point, Neb.) all placing fifth at the KCAC Championships.

John Fox (SR/Gilroy, Calif.) and Harley Williamson (SR/Euless, Texas) also punched their tickets to the NAIA Wrestling Championships during the KCAC Tournament. Fox, a two-time All-American, took first in the 149lb weight class and also took home the most outstanding wrestler award. This is the fourth time Fox has qualified for the NAIA Championships. Williamson finished second in the 133-lb bracket going 2-1 on the day. His wins were via technical fall (16-0) and decision (10-4). Trey Reed (JR/ Euless, Texas) finished in fifth place for the Panthers at 141 lbs. Drew Lugafet (FR/Hutchinson, Kan.) and Marce Vasquez (SR/ Bridgeport, Neb.) each finished sixth. Lugafet was named KCAC Champion of Character. At the end of the season, Jeff Albers ’17 was named head men's wrestling coach to go along with his head coaching duties of the women's program. With this transition, AJ Jaramillo has been hired as the associate head coach of both programs along with Tyler Bell ’12 assisting as well. n