Seven Trojans Qualify for NJCAA Championships as Triton College Wrestling Takes Third at Districts

Triton College is headed to the NJCAA Wrestling Championships in March after seven Trojans qualified at the Great Lakes District Tournament over the weekend.  

RIVER GROVE, Ill. — The Triton College Wrestling team’s steady approach throughout the season paid off in a big way at the Great Lakes District Tournament on Feb. 22 at Muskegon Community College in Michigan. The Trojans finished third as a team and qualified seven wrestlers for the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Wrestling Championships, scheduled for March 6-7 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

“We battled and competed well in the tough matches, won the ones we needed to and secured enough bonus points, which helped the team finish third,” head coach Chris Butz said.

Damari Reed led Triton’s qualifiers by capturing the district title at 157 pounds. Reed defeated Maguire Hoeksema of Harper College by a 14-3 major decision in the championship bout.

Everett McClelland was runner-up at 197 pounds, while Jase Salin placed third at 165 pounds. Dylan Eimer (125 pounds) and Fabian Salazar (149 pounds) each finished fourth to earn automatic bids to the national tournament.

Keygan Jennings (133 pounds) and Bennett Eichert (174 pounds) both placed fifth and were selected as wild card qualifiers based on their body of work throughout the season.

“We’re peaking at the right time and have more than a week to get back in the lab and clean things up as we prepare for the national tournament,” Butz said. “The guys are seeing the culmination of their work this season, and we look forward to them showing that at nationals.”

For more information about Triton College Wrestling, including the roster and schedule, visit tritonathletics.com.

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Media Contacts:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper | melissacooper@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3496
Hunter Oberst | hunteroberst@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3820

ABOUT TRITON COLLEGE:
Triton College is a public institution of higher education dedicated to student success. Recently recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 200 community colleges in the nation, Triton offers more than 130 degree and certificate programs that prepare students to pursue meaningful careers, transfer to four-year universities, and thrive in a global economy. Guided by our mission—Valuing the individual, educating and serving the community—Triton serves nearly 17,000 students annually on its 110-acre campus in River Grove, Illinois. Our dedicated faculty and staff provide high-quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities that empower students and strengthens the communities we serve. Triton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of The Illinois Community College Board. Illinois is home to 45 colleges in 39 community college districts. Learn more at triton.edu.