Altieri Draws #3 Wrestler to Open Nationals

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The road to a national title was always going to be a difficult one for John Altieri (Fr., Warwick, R.I., Sociology), but even he was probably hoping for an easier first-round opponent than what he received as the official brackets were released for the 59th Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships Thursday.

The freshman 125-pounder, who is 20-13 on the year and ranked #16 in the nation, has drawn the third-ranked grappler in junior Troy Lakin of Menlo (Calif.). Lakin owns a 22-6 record and won the West Qualifying Group Tournament crown two weeks ago. Altieri earned his bid to nationals and a spot in the 28-man bracket by placing third in the Central Qualifier.

Depending on his result against Lakin, Altieri will face either the winner or the loser of the Keegan Hessler (Morningside) vs. Sean Nguyen (Cumberland-Tenn.) match. Hessler, a freshman who is 16-6 this year, is #11 in the nation, while Nguyen is an unranked sophomore with a 23-16 record. Hessler finished second in the North Qualifying Group Tournament, while Nguyen was sixth at the East Qualifier.

Session I of nationals will be held Friday at 10 a.m. The Championships once again are held at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan.

Follow the brackets online at http://s300.trackwrestling.com/tw/predefinedtournaments/MainFrame.jsp?newSession=false&loadBalanced=true&sport=wrestling&TIM=1457062123319&pageName=&ie=false&frameSize=618