MIAMI GARDENS - The Keiser University wrestling team put together a strong opening day at the AAC Wrestling Championship on Friday, positioning every Seahawk to compete on Day 2 in Miami Gardens. With multiple semifinalists and several wrestlers battling back through the consolation bracket, Keiser remains firmly in the hunt for a top-three team finish. The Seahawks currently sit in fourth place and within striking distance of moving up in the standings.

At 174 pounds, Ronald Butler continued his dominant postseason run, going 3-0 on the day with a technical fall, a major decision, and a decisive 9-2 quarterfinal victory over Life's Konlin Weaver. With seven national bids allocated to the weight class and Butler advancing to the semifinals, which guarantees at least a sixth-place finish, he has officially punched his ticket to the NAIA National Championships.

Jordan Sommers at 285 pounds also stayed unbeaten, earning a 4-1 decision in the opening round before notching a dominant 15-0 technical fall in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Patrick Jones at 125 pounds moved into the semifinals with a fall in 3:56, while Josiah Fernandez at 133 pounds secured his spot with a gritty sudden victory win.

Sam Libby at 184 pounds added a first-period fall in his quarterfinal to reach the semifinals, giving the Seahawks multiple wrestlers still alive on the championship side heading into Saturday.

On the consolation side, Anthony Santos at 141 pounds, Jake Wyatt at 141 pounds, Julian Gonzales at 165 pounds, Derrique Mytial at 133 pounds, Rocco D'Ascoli at 184 pounds, Jett McCauley at 197 pounds, and Daguy Massillon at 285 pounds all earned important victories to remain in contention for podium finishes and potential national bids.

With every wrestler still competing and Butler officially qualified for Nationals, the Seahawks head into Day 2 with momentum and opportunity as the battle for conference placement and national berths continues.

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       Seahawks Advancing to Day 2

                    SEMIFINALIST

• 125 – Patrick Jones (1-0) 
• 133 – Josiah Fernandez (1-0)
• 174 – Ronald Butler (3–0)
• 184 – Sam Libby (1-0)
• 285 – Jordan Sommers (2–0) 

                CONSOLATION SIDE

• 133 – Derrique Mytial (1-1)
• 141 – Anthony Santos (2-1)
• 141 – Jake Wyatt (1-1)
• 165 – Julian Gonzales (1-1)
• 184 – Rocco D'Ascoli (2-1)
• 197 – Jett McCauley (1-1)
• 285 – Daguy Massillon (1–1) 

 

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Action resumes Saturday morning at 10:00am., with the remaining Seahawks looking to earn their bid to the national tournament.

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