ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College men's wrestling program is set to travel to Williamsport, PA to take part in the NCAA Region 2 Qualifier, hosted by Lycoming College.
JUST THE BASICS:
EVENT: NCAA Region 2 Qualifier
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 10:00 A.M.
LOCATION: Williamsport, PA | Hosted by Lycoming College
WHAT'S AT STAKE:
Head coach John Franchi will roll out a lineup of Blake O'Brien '24 wrestling at 133 lbs., Selvin Maldonado '25 at 141 lbs., Victor Hyland '28 at 149 lbs., Hollis Berry '25 at 157 lbs., Kahajen Smith at 165 lbs., Casey Cooper '25 at 174 lbs., and Nicholas Lopez '28 at 285 lbs.
This year's event will include athletes from Alfred State, Brockport, Centenary, Cortland, Elmira, Hunter, Ithaca, Keystone, Lycoming, NJCU, Oneonta, Oswego, Penn State Behrend, Penn College, Pitt Bradford, RIT, St. John Fisher, Stevens, and Wilkes.
O'Brien will contend at 133 lbs. after posting an 0-3 record this season for the Soaring Eagles and having competed at the 2025 Will Abele Men's Invitational.
Maldonado will take the mat at 141 lbs. At 7-9, Maldonado provides experience and leadership for a group of young athletes and has seen success against some opponents he could see this weekend.
Hyland, who will be making his first career appearance in an NCAA Qualifier, compiled a 4-13 record in his first season with the Soaring Eagles.
Berry, the most successful of Franchi's athletes, ended the regular season with a 14-13 record. He finished sixth at the 2025 Jamestown Jayhawk Open. Berry also picked up his 50th career win on senior night against Utica.
Smith, a senior from Newfield, NY, finished the 2024-25 campaign with five wins.
Cooper, a senior from Clarence, NY, transferred to Elmira from SUNY Niagara following two years with that program. He earned his first career win on senior night against Utica.
Lopez, like Hyland, will appear in his first Qualifier. The freshman is looking for his first win with the program.
The top three wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the NCAA Championships. Johnson & Wales University will play host to the 2025 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday, March 14-15 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Live stats will be provided courtesy of Track Wrestling, while live video will be provided through FloWrestling.
