AU’s Brandt Turns In Best Nationals Finish To Close Career

AU’s Brandt Turns In Best Nationals Finish To Close Career

Joe Brandt ended his Ashland University wrestling career in fine style.

The Eagles' senior 197-pounder took third place on Saturday (March 12) at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D., with a pin in 2:36 of Ryan Beltz of Maryville.

Brandt ends his senior season with a 29-3 record, and a career mark of 115-25.

To get to the third-place match on Saturday, Brandt topped Upper Iowa's Ryan Parmely by pin, then Notre Dame's Garrett Lineberger by a 2-1 decision.

On Friday, Brandt lost his nationals opener to Kutztown's Brandon Clark (3-2 loss on first tiebreaker) before winning the first two consolations rounds against Dillon Archer of Lindenwood (9-0 major decision) and Shippensburg's Evan Ramos (pin).

This is Brandt's fourth All-American honor. He finished seventh at nationals as a freshman and a sophomore, and fifth as a junior.

As a team, the Eagles finished 14th in the country.

 
 

AU

WR/DS