Ian Miller named Outstanding Wrestler at University Nationals in freestyle

VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH UNIVERSITY NATIONALS CHAMPIONS

Ian Miller pinned Tyler Caldwell twice to win a University Nationals title. Flo Wrestling photo.

AKRON, Ohio – Ian Miller wanted to put on a show for his home fans. 

And he did exactly that – in dramatic fashion.

Miller executed two spectacular moves to pin Tyler Caldwell in two straight bouts in the University Nationals freestyle finals on Sunday afternoon at the University of Akron Field House.

Miller, an NCAA All-American for nearby Kent State, body-locked, lifted and then pinned Caldwell 52 seconds into the first match in the best-of-3 finals at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Miller then came roaring back with a lateral drop to pin Caldwell just 16 seconds into the second bout. Caldwell is a two-time NCAA runner-up who placed third at last month’s U.S. Senior Open.

Miller won his second University Nationals title after also winning this event in 2012.

Champions in Akron positioned themselves to qualify for the University World Championships on July 8-12 in Pecs, Hungary.

The highest eligible placer within the top six at the U.S. Senior World Team Trials can challenge the University Champion at the same weight.

Two wrestlers – B.J. Futrell and James Green – have earned spots in the University Worlds since they were competing in non-Olympic weight classes.

Futrell took two straight matches from NCAA All-American Joe Colon at 61 kg/134 lbs. Green won two straight over past All-American Adam Hall at 70 kg/154 lbs.

Green made his second straight University World Team. Futrell placed third at the U.S. Open.

Two-time NCAA champion Chris Perry looked strong in sweeping Enock Francois in two straight bouts in the finals at 86 kg/189 lbs. Perry is a past Junior World bronze medalist who plans to compete at the U.S. Senior World Team Trials next weekend in Madison, Wis.

Past Cadet World champion Adam Coon was dominant in taking two straight over Austin Marsden in the heavyweight finals. Coon lost to Marsden in the finals of the 2013 Junior World Team Trials.

Coon said he plans to compete in the Junior World Team Trials in freestyle and Greco-Roman next weekend in Madison. Coon won the FILA Junior Nationals in both styles last month in Las Vegas.

NCAA runner-up Nahshon Garrett looked strong in sweeping David Terao in two straight bouts at 57 kg/125 lbs.

Talented Rutgers redshirt Anthony Ashnault made a big statement by sweeping past NCAA All-American Michael Mangrum in the finals at 65 kg/143 lbs.

Past U.S. Senior National Team member Chad Hanke turned in a superb performance in sweeping Lucas Sheridan in the finals at 97 kg/213 lbs. Hanke also plans to compete at the Senior Trials in Madison.

Oklahoma State’s Kyle Crutchmer defeated Iowa State’s Tanner Weatherman in two straight bouts in the finals at 80 kg/176 lbs. That class is not a qualifier for University Worlds.

NCAA champions J’Den Cox and Jason Tsirtsis both fell in the semifinals. Tsirtsis dropped an 8-7 decision to Ashnault in the semis at 65 kg/143 lbs. Cox lost by fall to Sheridan at 97 kg/213 lbs.

Cox, who just finished his freshman year at Missouri, came back to place third. Tsirtsis placed fifth.

UNIVERSITY NATIONALS

Freestyle

May 25, Akron, Ohio

Finals results

57 kg/125.5 lbs.

Nahshon Garrett (Cornell University) def. David Terao (DCAC), 2 matches to 0

Garrett dec. Terao, 11-0

Garrett dec. Terao, 15-4

61 kg/134 lbs.

B.J. Futrell (Titan Mercury WC) def. Joe Colon (Panther WC), 2 matches to 0

Futrell dec. Colon, 5-4

Futrell dec. Colon, 11-0

65 kg/143 lbs.

Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield) def. Michael Mangrum (Titan Mercury WC), 2 matches to 0

Ashnault dec. Mangrum, 5-4

Ashnault dec. Mangrum, 6-0

70 kg/154 lbs.

James Green (Titan Mercury WC) def. Adam Hall (Titan Mercury WC), 2 matches to 0

Green dec. Hall, 4-1

Green dec. Hall, 4-2

74 kg/163 lbs.

Ian Miller (Golden Pride WC) def. Tyler Caldwell (Sunkist Kids), 2 matches to 0

Miller pinned Caldwell, 0:52

Miller pinned Caldwell, 0:16

80 kg/176 lbs.

Kyle Crutchmer (CWC/OSU) def. Tanner Weatherman (Iowa State), 2 matches to 0

Crutchmer dec. Weatherman, 6-3

Crutchmer dec. Weatherman, 6-3

86 kg/189 lbs.

Chris Perry (Titan Mercury WC) def. Enock Francois (NYAC/WPWC), 2 matches to 0

Perry dec. Francois, 6-0

Perry dec. Francois, 6-2

97 kg/213 lbs.

Chad Hanke (Titan Mercury WC) def. Lucas Sheridan (Hoosier WC), 2 matches to 0

Hanke dec. Sheridan, 10-0

Hanke dec. Sheridan, 10-0

125 kg/275 lbs.

Adam Coon (Cliff Keen WC) def. Austin Marsden (Titan Mercury WC), 2 matches to 0

Coon dec. Marsden, 11-3

Coon dec. Marsden, 11-6