Roadrunners 17th at NJCAA Nationals, Ishmael earns All-American

Published 1:16 pm Tuesday, March 5, 2024

By Scott Novak

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Southwestern Michigan College wrestling team finished 22nd out of more than 53 teams, and 17th among Division I schools, at the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships over the weekend.

Western Wyoming was the Division I National Champion as it scored 161 points. Iowa Central was second with 139.5 points, while Pratt was third (134.5), Clackamas fourth (134) and Iowa Western fifth (123.5)

The Roadrunners, who qualified 10 wrestlers for the championships finished with 39.5 points and was the highest placer among Michigan Community College Athletic Association teams.

Coloma sophomore Caeleb Ishmael finished seventh in the 149-pound weight class to earn NJCAA All-American status. He is the first SMC wrestler to earn such a distinction in more than 30 years.

Ishmael defeated North Idaho’s Jeremiah Zuniga 9-3 in the seventh-place match.

After receiving a first-round bye, Ishmael defeated Brian Galeno, of Umpqua, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16. He was defeated by Clackamas’ Reggie Raiz 12-4 to drop into the consolation bracket.

In his first consolation match, Ishmael defeated Brady Hollen, of Ridgewater, 17-8. He then defeated Karsten Jensen, of Southwestern Oregon, 17-3 and Elijah Reece, of Northeastern Oklahoma, 7-6.

Ishmael was defeated by Cordell White, of Niacc, 3-0 in the consolation quarterfinals.

The Roadrunners other qualifiers were Jordan Simpson (Dowagiac), Kyle Stampfly (Lakeshore), Colby Klinger (Mattawan), Zam Thompson (Lakeshore), Hunter Heath (Brandywine), Hector Garcia (South Bend Riley), Nathan Andrina (Edwardsburg), Vinny Patierno (Pickney) and Shane Edwards (Battle Creek Pennfield).

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