Kansas Wrestling (all images via newmanjets.com)
WICHITA – Dylan Sheler is set to compete for a national championship for the first time in his collegiate career this week. Sheler qualified for the tournament at the NCAA Super Regional IV in Indianapolis on March 2nd.
The sophomore, a 125-pounder, will compete for his chance at glory in his hometown, Wichita.
“Having wrestled in Wichita my whole life, this moment will be very special for me when I compete at Hartman Arena,” Sheler said. “I’ve wrestled there before in high school and being able to represent Newman is such a huge honor for me.”
Last season, he placed fourth in the Super Regional, missing out by one spot in just his first season with the Jets.
Sheler has placed in several tournaments throughout this season and, most recently, won two of his last three dual matches in the MIAA, picking up wins over Ouachita Baptist and Central Missouri.
The Campus High School product started off his road to Wichita with a win over Garrett Steidley from Central Oklahoma, winning a close contest by decision, 7-6. In his next match, Sheler defeated Caden Howard from Drury via decision to clinch a spot at Nationals in Wichita.
“Dylan qualifying for the National Championships is a great story for our program,” said Head Coach Ryan Smith. “Not only do we have someone to represent our school at the highest level, but also having someone qualify that has wrestled in Wichita his whole (life) makes for a storybook ending.”
“After last season, it was a huge relief to qualify after missing out,” said Sheler. “I had my ups and downs this season, but I was able to put it together in Indianapolis and was at my best when it mattered most.”
After securing his spot in the 16-man bracket for nationals, Sheler had one more match in the regional finals. Sheler dropped the match to the second ranked wrestler in the 125-lb weight class.
Considering his performance at one of the toughest regionals in Division II, Sheler cracked into The Open Mat rankings for the first time this season, coming in at number sixteen.
The NCAA released the brackets of the Division II National Championships last Friday and revealed that Sheler will kick off the 125-lb bracket on Friday morning, taking on Treyvon Gray from Pitt-Johnstown in the preliminary round of the tournament. If he advances, he will take on eighth ranked Isaiah Gomez from Adams State in the first round.
“We like where Dylan is at in the bracket,” said Smith. “Although he must go through the preliminary round, anything can happen at the National Championships. We are excited to see what he can do.”
“The sky is the limit,” said Sheler when asked about his route to a championship. “It will not be an easy road to get to, but I believe in my abilities to make it far this weekend.”
Below is the tournament schedule for National Championships:
Friday, March 15
10 a.m. | Prelims and First Round
5 p.m. | Quarterfinals/first-and-second round consolations
Saturday, March 16
10 a.m. | Semifinals/wrestle backs (seventh, fifth and third places matches)
7 p.m. | Championship Finals
The event can be streamed on FloWrestling. For more updates regarding the National Championships, check www.newmanjets.com.
