Altieri Wins Title at Qualifying Tourney
Des Moines–John Altieri (So., Warwick, R.I., Sociology) will return to nationals after topping his weight class as the William Penn wrestling team competed at the NAIA Central Qualifying Tournament Saturday.
Altieri went 3-0 to win the 125-pound crown and qualify for the NAIA National Championships on March 3-4 in Topeka, Kan. The sophomore, who finished 2-2 at last year’s nationals, won his first match by fall (1:13) and then slipped through the semifinals with an 11-10 decision. He eventually won the title match by pinning Joe Murillo of Jamestown in 2:22.
Altieri is William Penn’s first regional/qualifying group champion since 2010. He will hopefully gain a travel partner if heavyweight Max Lewis is awarded a wild card by a national committee Tuesday night. Lewis was 2-2 with one technical fall to place fourth.
Two other Statesmen also placed sixth at the qualifying event. 157-pounder Austinn Goin (So., Belton, Mo., Exercise Science) owned a 3-3 record (one fall), while 149-pounder Brad Watson (Sr., Rolla, Mo., Physical Education) posted a 2-3 mark (one fall and one technical fall).
As a team, WPU placed sixth with 46 points, while Grand View took the team title with 215 points.