By Jhett Laurie
Staff Writer
The College’s wrestling team secured two national championships at the NCAA DIII national wrestling tournament. Juniors Garrett Totten and Hunter Mays brought home the storied belt to Packer Hall, securing a spectacular ending to two dominant seasons. They respectively brought home the 25th and 26th national championships for the College’s wrestling team. Totten and Mays are the first pair to claim multiple national championships for the College since 1987.
In his run up to the finals, Totten showed that he deserved to be in the tournament. In his semifinal match, the Lions wrestler was able to secure a takedown early in the first period, giving himself a 3-1 lead in the first period. He was able to pad that lead with an escape and stalling point to go up 5-1.
His opponent answered with an escape and stalling point of his own to climb back into takedown distance. Totten wrestled off his opponent in the final seconds to keep his lead and advance to the final round.
Totten secured his belt earlier in the tournament than Mays, taking home the 133-lbs title. He got redemption for his tournament exit last year, defeating the opponent who eliminated him in the semifinals last year.
Totten secured a takedown early in the first round, gaining a three-point advantage over his opponent. Totten’s opponent managed to score a single point in the first round, with Totten leading 3-1. The Lion was able to secure an additional point on an escape, putting him up 4-1. Totten’s dominant season would come to an end on a high note, with him claiming the title and celebrating around the mat.
Totten joins the ranks of his star-studded family, who now can claim four national Division III championships. His father won two national championships at Delaware Valley, and his uncle won a championship at the College in the 90s.
Mays crushed his semifinal opponent, securing a major decision over his opponent from New York University. He took his opponent down four times in the match, an impressive feat against the No. 4 wrestler in his weight class.
Mays would start his championship match by falling behind for the first time in the tournament, as his opponent was able to secure an escape in the second round. Mays would answer in dramatic fashion, securing a takedown to go up 3-1.
His opponent would escape yet again to draw the score closer at 3-2. Mays would start the third period by securing an escape of his own to give himself some breathing room, however his opponent was still within striking distance. With only a minute left in the final period, Mays would secure his second takedown of the match to secure his victory.
Mays is the first ever Lion to win the belt at 174-lbs, marking his name in Lion history forever. He capped off his perfect season (28-0) in the most dominant way possible.
Junior Vinnie Santaniello joined his teammates as All-Americans after he fell out of the tournament in earlier rounds.
The Lions placed fifth in team standings, the highest ever during Coach Joe Galante's impressive tenure. The Lions stormed into Cedar Rapids, Iowa and left with two national champions.
