Five Tiger wrestlers qualify for nationals

Five of the nine Cowley College wrestlers that took part in the NJCAA South Central Regional Qualifier held Saturday in Colby qualified to compete at the NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs, IA.

The Tigers were led by Melton Powe, avenging his lone loss of the season by defeating Pratt Community College's Christian Robinson in the first-place match at 174 pounds. Trenton Grant also wrestled well and placed second in the 141-pound weight class.

"That is the best I have seen Melton and Trent wrestle all year," Cowley interim head coach Justice Circle said.

Kanden Young (197 pounds) and Dean Setticase (285 pounds) both placed fourth, while Aidan O'Dell (133 pounds) placed sixth as they were the other three Tigers to qualify for nationals.

"The guys wrestled tough and punched their tickets to nationals in what I consider to be the toughest region," Circle said. "I believe all five should be All-Americans at the national tournament."

The NJCAA Division I National Championship will be held March 3-4 in Council Bluffs, IA. The competition will begin each day at 9 a.m.