BW Wrestling Team to Host 2018 NCAA Division III Tourney
-By BW Sports Information
Baldwin Wallace University in conjunction with the Greater
Cleveland Sports Commission will host the 2018 NCAA Division III
National Wrestling Championships at the Cleveland Public Auditorium
in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The dates of the event are March
16-17, 2018.
When BW hosts in 2018, it will be the 48th annual NCAA Division III
national tourney. The 44th annual tourney will be held this spring
at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with Cornell
(Iowa) College serving as the host school.
"We are excited to partner with the Greater Cleveland Sports
Commission to host this event," said BW Director of
Athletics Kris A. Diaz. "It is a great opportunity to
showcase the City of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and for BW to be
highly involved in all aspects of this national event.
"BW has a rich history and tradition in wrestling developed over
the years by legendary coaches John Summa and Rich Fleming,"
continued Diaz. "BW has hosted a number of
national events over the years, most recently the NCAA Division III
National Cross Country Championship Meet in 2009 and the Div. III
National Outdoor Track & Field Meet in 2010.
"This is just another great opportunity for the BW community to
again team with the GCSC on the running of a successful national
event," said Diaz. "We look forward to the
preparations and planning in the months ahead."
BW third-year Head Coach Jamie Gibbs also is
excited about hosting the meet. In his first three seasons at the
helm, Gibbs has transformed the Yellow Jackets
into a team that is gaining a reputation as a solid program that is
on the rise.
"This is a huge honor for the university, our athletics program and
in particular our wrestling program," said Gibbs,
who has led the Yellow Jackets to a 3-0 dual match record so far
this season. "Our goal will be to recruit and coach a group of
talented wrestlers who will have an opportunity to compete and win
at this event."
BW has two Division III national champs in its history. In 1978,
Paul Petrella won the title at 177 pounds and in
1989 Kevin Higgins also won the national crown at
177.
Baldwin Wallace University also has a history of running national
events and teamming with the GCSC. Annually, BW is the host site
for the nationally-renown Continental Cup, it joined with the GCSC
for the running of the Div. III national cross country and outdoor
track meets, the AAU National Junior Olympics, and the University
had a hand in the operation of last summer's National Senior Games.
BW was the former home to the Ohio Games and has hosted six NCAA
Division III National Track & Field Championship Meets and one
Pan-American Games qualifier as well as many local events,
including numerous OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association)
football playoff and men's sectional and district basketball
contests.