Perry third at nationals for NIC

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The effort was there for North Idaho College freshman Trey Meyer in his semifinal match at 165 pounds in the NJCAA tournament at the Mid-American Center on Saturday.

But the ability to move onto the finals, that was a little out of his control.

Meyer, who tweaked his right MCL during the quarterfinals on Friday, aggravated the injury midway through his semifinal match with Dillon Ulrey of Clackamas, had to injury default, and was forced to settle for sixth place.

“He went at it tough,” NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. “He got three takedowns and got within three points, and it was a pretty gutsy match to get those takedowns. But as soon as he (Ulrey) got to the other leg, he just couldn’t go. It was bad timing, but that’s the nature of a national tournament.”

Freshman Levi Perry fought back to finish third at 184 for NIC.

“Levi probably had his best tournament of the year and peaked at the right time,” Whitcomb said. “He won three straight matches and wrestled great today.”

Sophomore Alex Aguilar was seventh at 174 to finish as an All-American for finishing in the top eight in his weight class.

“After losing his first match, Alex did a good job of fighting back,” Whitcomb said. “It was good to see him go out with an All-American status.”

NIC finished 14th in the tournament, qualifying seven wrestlers for the tournament, six freshmen.

“The other guys at the hotel, you could tell it didn’t sit well with them where they finished,” Whitcomb said. “And you want to have that burning in their stomach to get back here next year.”

Iowa Central won the team title with 150 points, edging Clackamas (146.5) for the national title.

NIC RESULTS

Semifinals

165 — Dillon Ulrey, Clackamas, d. Trey Meyer, NIC, by injury default.

Placing matches

165 — Troy Keller, Niagara County, d. Meyer, by forfeit.

174 — Alex Aguilar, NIC, d. Saul Ortiz, Northeast Oklahoma, 3-2 (seventh-eighth place)

184 — Levi Perry, NIC, d. Logan Hagerbaumer, Lincoln, 8-6 (third-fourth place)

Consolation finals

165 — Alfred Daniel, Rochester, d. Meyer, NIC, by forfeit.

174 — Tyree Overton, Lincoln, p. Aguilar, NIC, 2:35.

184 — Perry, NIC, d. Daishi Goto, Camden County, 12-2.

Consolation semifinals

184 — Perry, NIC, d. Nathaneal Holecek, Northland, 2-1.