PORTLAND, Maine (Feb. 26, 2023) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy senior James Cruz (Belleville, N.J.) will represent Kings Point at the 2023 NCAA National Championships after he placed third in the 197-pound bracket at the Northeast Regional Championships this weekend! He was one of four Mariners to place in the top-eight to reach the podiums at Regionals.
 
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Cruz battled his way through the main/championship bracket as the #3 seed at 197 and reached the semifinals before a narrow 2-1 loss dropped him to the wrestlebacks. In the consolation semis he earned a 6-0 decision victory over an opponent from Trinity to reach the third place match.
 
Cruz took on Darby McLaughlin of Western New England University with a shot to go to nationals on the line. He opened the scoring with a first period take down and then doubled his lead with another takedown in the third period and claimed the 4-0 decision, booking his ticket to NCAAs in Roanoke, Va., after going 4-1 overall over the two days.
 
The three other Mariners who reached the podiums were sophomore Reid Garrison (Broadway, Va.) who placed seventh at 285, freshman Wesley Wydick (Utica, Ohio) who was eighth at 133 and sophomore Cade Cowley (Boulder City, Nev.) who was eighth at 184.
 
Garrison went 3-2 with two major decisions, Wydick battled to a 3-3 record with one MD and Cowley finished 2-3 with a pin.
 
The 2023 NCAA National Championship Meet will be held March 10-11 in Roanoke, Va. More information for Nationals will be posted on www.USMMASports.com closer to the event. Live links will be available on the USMMA Wrestling Schedule Page.
 
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