LYNCHBURG, Va. - The 9th ranked Allen University wrestling team, led by head coach Eric Pack and 184 pound individual champion, Michael Jackson, finished third as a team at the 10-team Mid-Atlantic Regional Qualifier Saturday at Liberty University.

Allen qualified seven grapplers for the NCWA National Tournament in March. They include Quincy Gash (3rd at 141 lbs), Drevon Wallace (4th at 149), Ya'Donnis Hardaway (3rd at 157), Terrence Mills (4th at 165), Jackson (1st), Christian Poplous (4th at 197) and Emmanuel Velazquez (4th at HWT).

"It's great having a champion as Jackson continues to make history at Allen University," said coach Pack. "The 3rd place team finish shows we are getting better. Every year the NCWA is very competitive and the competition helps us get ready for the transition to Div. II." 

#1 Jackson (27-4) rolled to a championship winning by fall in the quarterfinals and a 16-2 major decision in the semis before winning 3-2 in the finals over Gabe Hayes of Liberty.
Poplous won 3 matches on the day to get 4th at 197 while Velazquez won two bouts to earn 4th as well. Mills went 3-2 on the day and fell by a close 3-2 margin in his third place bout at 165. Hardaway went 4-1 with four bonus point wins to get third at 157 while Wallace went 2-2 to get 4th falling 13-11 in the 3rd place bout at 149. Gash won 9-4 for third place as well at 141 lbs.

Allen (14-6) placed third overall with 123 points finishing behind runner-up Newport News Apprentice and team champion, D-1 Liberty. Lightweights Reco Robinson (125) and Nyshaad Hannon (133) also each placed 7th in their respective weights and will serve as alternates for the National Tournament as the top 6 qualify. Hannon went 2-2 and suffered two hard-luck losses before winning his 7th place bout while Robinson went 1-2 at 125.

The Yellow Jacket grapplers will now have about 10 days to prepare for the NCWA National Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 9-11. This is the final yeaar that Allen will compete in the the NCWA and will join NCAA Div. II Conference Carolinas next season.




MAC Team Standings 

1	Liberty University	229.0
2	The Apprentice School (VA)	187.5
3	Allen University	123.5
4	Virginia Tech	110.0
5	East Carolina University	77.0
6	Clemson University	71.5
7	University of South Carolina	60.5
8	Emory & Henry College (Va)	46.5
9	James Madison University (Va.)	41.5
10	Queens University (NC)