DES MOINES – The No. 7 NIACC wrestling team returns to action Saturday and Sunday at the NWCA NJCAA national duals at the Iowa Events Center.
NIACC faces two-time defending national champion Labette Community College (Kansas) at 9 a.m. Saturday in its first round match.
NIACC has not wrestled since competing in the Simpson College Invitational on Dec. 7. This will be the Trojans’ first dual meet of the season.
Labette and North Idaho College shared the team title at the 2013 NJCAA national meet with 120 team points. It was Labette’s third overall national title.
The 16-team junior college bracket includes eight of the top 10 ranked teams. No. 1 North Idaho College and No. 3 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College are not entered in the tournament.
The winner of the NIACC/Labette match faces the winner of the No. 4 Clackamas CC/No. 19 Pratt CC match at 1 p.m. The loser of the NIACC/Labette match takes on the Clackamas/Pratt loser also at 1 p.m.
The semifinals and consolation semifinals and the first, third, fifth and seventh-place matches are set for Sunday.
Labette enters the national duals with two ranked wrestlers in Joe Disciacca (12th at 125 pounds) and Tyler White (fourth at 184 pounds).
For NIACC, freshman Yoanse Mejias (19-1) is ranked first at 157 pounds, freshman Nosomy Pozo (11-0) is ranked fourth at 149 pounds, freshman Tristan Luther (11-5) is ranked 12th at 165 pounds, freshman Andy Glaser (9-5) is ranked 9th at 184 pounds, sophomore Shakheim Chapman (9-2) is ranked second at 197 pounds and sophomore Alex Stockton (2-4) is ranked 9th at 285 pounds.
NIACC’s probable lineup
125 – Mike Ruffino or JP Gamez; 133 – Jorge Pau; 141 – Blake Spotts; 149 – Nosomy Pozo; 157 – Yoanse Mejias; 165 – Tristan Luther; 174 – Thomas Daniels; 184 – Andy Glaser; 197 – Shakheim Chapman; 275 – Alex Stockton.
NJCAA National Duals
Saturday’s first round matches
9 a.m. matches
No. 4 Clackamas CC vs. No. 19 Pratt CC (Mat 13)
No. 7 NIACC vs. Labette CC (Mat 14)
No. 5 Ellsworth vs. No. 9 Niagara County CC (Mat 15)
No. 13 Iowa Western vs. No. 9 Nassau CC (Mat 16)
11 a.m. matches
No. 6 Lincoln College vs. No. 20 Harper College (Mat 13)
Iowa Central vs. No. 11 RCTC (Mat 14)
No. 8 Muskegon CC vs. No. 11 Neosho County CC (Mat 15)
No. 17 Colby CC vs. No. 2 Northwest College (Mat 16)
