Altieri Ends Season with 1-2 Mark at Nationals

William Penn University Athletics

Topeka, Kan.–John Altieri (So., Warwick, R.I., Sociology) entered the final event of the year on an upward tick, but could not ride that momentum into a high placing as he finished 1-2 at the NAIA Wrestling National Championships Friday.

Altieri, who was the #9 seed at 125 pounds, was upset (if there is such a thing at nationals) in his opening match, being pinned by unseeded Adelfo Valdez of Wayland Baptist (Texas) in 5:20.

The sophomore bounced back in the consolation bracket, though, by collecting his second-ever national-tournament fall, sticking Northwestern’s Austin Boles in a time of 2:28. His weekend unfortunately ended prior to reaching the second session as he was pinned by #7 seed Joshua Johnson of Warner Pacific (Ore.) in 4:18.

Altieri, who scored 2.5 team points for William Penn, concludes his campaign at 25-11 with 10 falls.