2 qualify for national championships

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Senior Gavin Nelson (Oregon/Clay) and sophomore Nate Barcaskey (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) posted top three finishes in their respective weight classes to lead the Ohio Northern wrestling team on the final day of the NCAA Division III Central Regional Championships on Saturday at Knowling Fieldhouse, hosted by Wabash (Ind.)

Top-seeded Barcaskey finished runner-up at Heavyweight with a 3-1 record and sixth-seeded Nelson won his third place match at 165 and finished with a 4-1 record.

Both men qualified for the NCAA III Championships March 9-10 in Cleveland. Each weight class places the top six finishers, with the top three placers advancing to the NCAA Championships.

The Polar Bears finished sixth of 18 in the team standings.

Both Nelson and Barcaskey will be making their first-ever appearance at the NCAA III Championships meet.