Kansas Wrestling (all images via newmanjets.com)
PARK CITY, Kan. – Dylan Sheler made his debut at the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships on Friday morning, competing in front of a hometown crowd after qualifying for the Championships at Super Regional IV two weeks ago.
Sheler had missed out on the national championships by one spot last year, but after placing second in Indianapolis earlier this month, Sheler was on his way to his first appearance at Nationals.
Having already wrestled at Hartman several times in high school, Sheler was no stranger to the big stage that came with it. The Wichita native opened with a preliminary round contest versus Trayvon Gray (27-9) of Pitt-Johnstown. Gray emerged victorious over Sheler by Tech. Fall.
Sheler entered the consolations against Newberry’s Zach Shupp (21-9). Sheler scored a takedown 25 seconds to take a 3-0 lead. After two escapes and a takedown late in the second period for Shupp, Sheler trailed 5-3. An escape at 1:18 in the third period, made the match 5-4, but it ultimately was not enough as Sheler fell by decision in his second bout.
Head Coach Ryan Smith remained optimistic following the matches. “We’re a young team. [Sheler] is just a sophomore and has qualified for nationals. We will take a lot of experience from this season and get to work on the next.”
Sheler ended his season at the National Championships, finishing with seventeen wins overall. The sophomore will look for a return to the national stage in his junior season.
