Three Chukar Men Earn Academic All-American Status

[Bossier City, LA] - Over the dates of March 13-15, Treasure Valley Community College wrestlers competed at the NCWA National Championships. The Chukars qualified 10 wrestlers in total, three on the women's side, and seven from the men's side. 

 

On the women's side of the tournament, Hillsboro, OR native Gracie Strickland had an "impressive showing", according to Coach Luis Cisneros. With only two months of wrestling practice, she placed 2nd in the region in the 117# weight class, which qualified her for the National Tournament. Strickland went 2-2 on the weekend. Her first match saw her wrestling the 3rd ranked female in the country, losing 10-0. She was able to pin her opponent from Utah Tech in the next match. Strickland lost her final match, leaving her one match away from making it to the All-American round. In the 240# weight class, Stephanie Romero, out of Irrigon, OR, earned All-American status. Stephanie pinned her first opponent but suffered a knee injury in her semifinal match. Despite sustaining the injury and being unable to continue wrestling, she placed 4th in her weight class. Rounding out the women's side, Ava Collins from Vale, OR, wrestled in the 145# weight class. Coming into the tournament, Collins was ranked 3rd nationally. Collins pinned her way into the semifinals match. In the semifinals match, there were three grueling rounds, and Collins was defeated by her opponent. Now wrestling on the consolation side of the bracket, Collins did not lose another match, earning her 3rd place and the title of All-American. The Chukar Women's Wrestling team finished in the top 10 for teaming rankings at the National Tournament. Coach Cisneros wrote that he "was pleased with how the women competed and is excited for next season". 

 

For the men's tournament, Fahad Hillesland wrestled in the 149# weight class, and finished the tournament 3-2. Hillesland, out of Meridian, ID, advanced to the second round after a bye in his first round. In the second round, he wrestled the 7th ranked wrestler nationally in the 149# weight class. Hillesland lost the match by technical fall. Winning his next three matches, Hillesland was defeated in his final match in the round of 16. Two Chukar wrestlers competed in the 157# weight class, Christian Mardock from Nyssa, OR, and Zakin Bolander from Nampa, ID. Mardock wrestled "extremely well" as Coach Cisneros explained, and he went 2-2 on the weekend. Bolander also finished the weekend 2-2. Brandon Stowe out of Fruitland, ID wrestled well according to Coach Cisneros, who competed in the 165# weight class, had two matches where he wrestled well, but was ultimately defeated. Earning a wild card to compete at the National Tournament, Salem, OR native Owen Scott wrestled in the 184# weight class. Scott was unable to secure a victory in either of his matches of the tournament. Coach Cisneros commented on Scott, "Owen has great potential and understands where he needs to improve for the next season". Also in the 184# weight class, hometown wrestler Niko Sigrah lost his first-round match, but came back to win his next three matches to advance to the round of 16. Sigrah ended the weekend 3-2. Rounding out the Chukar men's team, Cody Vance from Siletz, OR competed in the 197# weight class. Vance also finished the weekend with a 3-2 record. As a team, TVCC men finished 46th out of 85 teams. Reporting on the tournament Coach Cisneros shared that he was "really pleased with how the wrestlers performed". He also mentioned that he was "happy, but not satisfied". Coach Cisneros is excited about the freshmen who are returning next season, and that they can help build a solid foundation for the wrestling program.

 

Three Chukar men earned Academic All-American status, meaning they made it to the National Tournament holding a 3.5 GPA or higher. Stowe, Mardock, and Scott were awarded this honor.