Wichita, Kan. - The Keiser University wrestling team continued competition Saturday at the NAIA Wrestling National Championships in Wichita, Kansas, with heavyweight Jordan Sommers emerging as the standout performer for the Seahawks. Sommers secured All-American status and advanced to the final day of competition, becoming just the third wrestler in program history to earn the national honor.
At 285 pounds, Sommers battled through a challenging bracket to guarantee a spot on the podium. After falling in the quarterfinal round, he responded in the consolation bracket with a medical forfeit victory that secured All-American status. He then followed with a clutch 4-1 sudden victory win over No. 5 Nico Rodriguez of Eastern Oregon, locking up a top-six finish. Sommers will compete in the consolation semifinals Sunday with a chance to advance to the third-place match.
Sam Libby also continued his strong postseason run at 184 pounds. The sixth-seeded Seahawk opened the day with a fall over Doane's Kolton Kammeyer in 2:25 before falling short in the following round after an 11-4 decision against Ashton Habeil of Lindsey Wilson.
Patrick Jones and Josiah Fernandez each saw their national tournament runs conclude in the consolation rounds. Jones dropped a bout to Providence's Kobi Johnson at 125 pounds, while Fernandez fell in a tightly contested 6-4 decision to Riley Bettich of Cumberlands at 133 pounds.
With several wrestlers scoring team points throughout the tournament, the Seahawks currently sit 19th in the team standings. Keiser will now turn its attention to the final day of the national championships, where Sommers will look to climb even higher on the podium and add to his historic performance.
Action resumes Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m., with Sommers continuing his run at 285 pounds in the consolation semifinals.
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