Posted: Mar 09, 2018
Three Builders have advanced to the semi-final round at the NCWA National Championships as Apprentice falls to 3rd place after the first session Saturday. Still leading the pack is Liberty with 109.5 points, followed by Central Florida with 99.5 and Apprentice with 94.5.
Colton Messick advanced to the semi-final with a dominant 17-1 technical fall over Alberto Perez of Emmanuel, securing his first All-American honor. Colton will now face Mid-Atlantic rival Melvin Rubio of Queens Charlotte who upset #3 seed Jacob Toledo of Central Florida 17-11. In their last meeting, Messick pinned Rubio in the conference semi-finals. He is now 31-7 on the season and is guaranteed a top six placement on the podium.
Chad Simmons secured his second spot on the podium with a razor-thin 5-3 decision over Matthew Seymour of Central Florida in sudden-victory. Chad will now face Azamat Akhmedov of UMBC, for a bid to the National finals. Chad is now 31-10 on the season and is undefeated at 157 lbs.
The third and final semi-finalist for the Builders is Ross Graham, who pinned 7th seed Jack Dahlgren of Grays Harbor in the 2nd period. Ross will now have the 3rd seed from Central Florida, whom he pinned at the National Duals in January. Ross is now 25-5 on the season and has only lost twice at 197 lbs.
Four more Builders are still alive in the consolation bracket as Kolin Johnson (133 lbs), Shalek Colon (141), Ty Boyd (149) and Dan Henson (174) all fell in the championship quarter-final. Each of the four will need one more win to secure a spot on the podium.
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