CLEVELAND -- Notre Dame (Ohio) leads the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships after the first day of competition. Five Falcons have wrestled their way to All-American honors and four Falcons went 2-0 to qualify for the semifinals.Â
Of the five All-Americans Joey Davis, Eric Burgey and Brandonn Johnson are All-Americans for the second year in a row. Garrett Lineberger becomes the second freshman to achieve NCAA Division II All-American status in program history and Jonatan Rivera achieves All-American status for the first time in his career.At 157 pounds No.5 Jonatan Rivera was solid with a 3-2 decision in the first round and an 8-6 quarterfinal victory. No.1 Eric Burgey, 165 pounds, recorded a 4-1 decision victory in the first round and a 3-2 victory in the quarterfinals.
No.1 Joey Davis was very impressive, spending a total 3:36 on the mat in recording two pins at 1:12 in the first round and 2:24 in the quarterfinal. With the wins Davis progresses his career record to 70-0.
Freshman Garrett Lineberger, ranked No.8, continued his impressive freshman season with two decision victories to progress to the semifinals and earn All-American honors in his first collegiate season.
In the team standings the Falcons lead the championship with 44 points. Two-time defending national champions Nebraska-Kearney is in second place with 41 point and Lindenwood are third with 36 points.
