The Triton College wrestling team won their first
NJCAA District championship since 1998 Saturday at Harper College in Palatine. The Trojans took the Great Lakes District crown, besting 10 other community college's representing Region's 4 (Upper Illinois and Southern Wisconsin) and 12 (Michigan and Indiana). When Triton last won in 1998, they represented the Midwest District.
The No. 9 ranked Trojans had all 10 wrestlers who competed qualify for the
NJCAA Wrestling Championships which will take place March 3 and 4 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"Our team has worked extremely hard all, battled through some adversity and continued to find a way to win," said head coach
Tim Duggan who was awarded with Great Lakes District Coach of the Year honors. "Wining the district and qualifying all 10 wrestlers to national tournament is an amazing achievement. But our focus has been and will continue to be wrestling our best at national tournament as we fight for a national championship."
Triton had five individual champions:
Anthony Schickel (125),
Elon Rodriguez (133),
Connor Svantner (157),
Alonzo Smiley (165) and
Curtis Ruff II (197).
Sherman Dixon finished second at 174 and
David Capron was third at 149.
Billy Tucker (141) and
Jeivan Ross (184) each placed fourth to punch their tickets to Iowa, while
Ronald Krewer earned a wild card entry to nationals at 285.
The Trojans finished atop the team standings with 155 points to edge out long-time region rival Harper College who placed second with 146 points.
Duggan reflected on the journey when describing being named Coach of the Year.
"I am very grateful and humbled to receive the honor, he said. "All the early mornings, late nights, weekend travel and sacrifices are worth it when I see my team succeed and become strong young men."
The draw for the national tournament will be announced by the NJCAA later this week.
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