RCTC wrestling captures fourth NJCAA title in five years
Mar. 4—COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. — The Rochester Community and Technical College wrestling team is back on top after capturing its fourth non-scholarship NJCAA national title in five years on Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Overall, RCTC finished eighth out of 86 total — the top scorer among Division III schools. The Yellowjackets were the only DIII team to finish in the top 14.
It's RCTC's sixth national championship in wrestling.
Leo Tukhlynovych (Shakopee), Cohen Wiste (Southland) and Antony Tuttle (Stillwater) all earned All-American honors with podium finishes.
Tukhlynovych placed third at 165, going 6-1, while Wiste placed fourth at 149, wrestling to a 5-2 record with five pins. Tuttle wrapped up his RCTC career with a fifth place finish at 184 also going 5-2.
Those three had big second days on Saturday, combining for five pins, a tech fall and a major decision to help RCTC overcome an up-and-down first day.
The Jackets did have seven of their nine wrestlers win their opening matches on the first day of the tournament on Friday. But Tukhlynovych, Wiste and Tuttle were the only ones to be still alive after Friday's evening session.
Dover-Eyota High School graduate Gavin Gust made his NJCAA national tournament debut, finishing 2-2 at 157. Plainview-Elgin-Millville grad Martin Prieto was upset in his opening match, but bounced back to win his next two to earn key points for RCTC.
Coach Andy Hackenmueller was recognized as the NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year as well.
