Eads Making First Trip to Nationals

Oskaloosa–Joe Eads (So., Morrison, Ill., Biology) will have the biggest test of his collegiate career this weekend as he battles in the 63rd Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championship Friday and Saturday.

The double-elimination event will take place at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan. with the opening session beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.

The sophomore 149-pounder is 23-16 on the year and earned an at-large bid to nationals. He will meet #2 seed Shonn Roberts of Providence (Mont.), a senior who owns a 29-3 record. If Eads claims the upset, he will then take on Zane Corey of Cleary (Mich.), a senior with a 13-6 mark this winter.

A loss would pit the sophomore in a consolation match against one of the following three grapplers: #1 seed senior Tres Leon of Cumberlands (Ky.) (31-1), senior Bryce Bachowski of Missouri Baptist (15-6), or senior Marcelo Sierra of Life (Ga.) (17-5).

Eads is trying to become the 43rd All-American in program history and the first since Scottie Bonds in 2015.

To follow the live stats/video, go to www.trackwrestling.com