|
|
Post by pantherjhu on Mar 6, 2011 1:17:44 GMT -5
Justin Belanger of Sacred Heart University (former RI state champ) is wrestling in the East Regional Conference Championship today (NCAA Div. I). Let's cheer him on from afar! Belanger is the #4 seed at 141. He is a wild card in a way as he hasn't wrestled any of the conference foes this season as he has been hurt for most of the last two months and out of the lineup. So, I'm not sure what he'll bring to the table. He should handle his first opponent from Campbell U, Carmody, but he has a tough go of it with Richie Spicer of Gardner-Webb in the semis. Spicer's tough. Anything's possible, so let's cheer for some upsets by Belanger - he'll need two to win the conference title and go to nationals.
|
|
|
|
Post by atlantaal on Mar 9, 2011 14:25:31 GMT -5
Justin finished second at 141 in the East Regional, losing 3-1 in the finals to MiKe Greck of Millersville. I believe only the champions of this qualifying tournament go to the NCAAs, but they will release the brackets later today (Wed.).
|
|
|
|
Post by pantherjhu on Mar 11, 2011 13:38:21 GMT -5
Unfortunately, you're right, Atlanta, it is only the champion who goes to nationals from the East Regional. There are at-large selections, but they are made by the NCAA tournament committee, and they didn't pick Justin Belanger to go to nationals. He had a great tournament though, defeating the aforementioned Richie Spicer, the #1 seed, in the semis. This is no small accomplishment as Spicer was a two-time Ohio state champion and three time Ohio state place winner back in high school. Spicer was also a high school all-American. He was ranked the #4 recruit at 135 in the country coming into college and was a top 50 overall recruit in the country according AWN and Intermat! Congrats to Belanger.
|
|
