From the Wheeling Jesuit Wrestling Website

Warner, Craig win National Championships; Cardinals earn National Runner-Up

March 9, 2019

NCAA Division II Championships
03/08/2019 - 03/09/2019
The Wolstein Center,2000 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115

CLEVELAND (March 9) – Led by championship titles by sophomores Tyler Warner (Dennison, Ohio/Claymont) and Connor Craig (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder), the Wheeling Jesuit University wrestling team was crowned the NCAA Division II National Runner-Up on the final day of the national championships inside the Wolstein Center.

In addition to the team accolades, Head Coach Danny Irwin was presented with the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year award following the conclusion of the matches. St. Cloud State won its second-consecutive National Championship.

Warner started the day with a 4-2 win over Tate Barnhardt of UMary to propel himself into the championship match. In the final versus Wesley Dawkins of Nebraska-Kearney, Warner notched a 4-1 decision to claim the National Championship at 133.

Craig's path opened up with a 9-2 semifinal win over Kolton Eischens of St. Cloud State. In the championship bout, Craig fell behind 1-0, but earned a trio of takedowns against McKendree's Nick Foster to secure a 6-2 decision and the National Championship at 174.

"I am in awe of this," said Irwin. "Not just because of the moments we had the last couple days, but everything that so many people have put into the process!"

"On my interview at Jesuit two years ago I talked about how I wanted to be one of the final teams up on the raised platform while never losing sight of being a man for others! To see it come to fruition is wild, on our hardest days in the room our staff has stressed that it is going to take everyone and it has. The support from our families, alums and the Ohio Valley community is second to none. I told the guys that their commitment to the process would land them in this position and I will never forget the look on their faces walking up on the platform to receive that trophy that was earned by everyone in our program!"

Warner and Craig became the second and third National Champions in program history, joining Terrance Fanning (Bruceton Mills, W.Va./Preston) who won the 2018 championship at 285.

"Tonight has left me speechless," Craig said. "Being a national champ has been a lifetime dream of mine and I finally accomplished it! I've worked non-stop relentlessly for this exact moment and every long practice, workout, night, has been worth it. Clinching the team finish is something I didn't realize I did but that's like a little extra treat for the team. Super proud of this team and how we finished. The cherry on top is earning academic All-America since I didn't make it last year so this is a dream come true."

"This weekend was hands down the toughest, but the best weekend of my life," Warner said. "I am speechless still, it hasn't hit me yet that I am a 2019 National Champion. Everyday before practice, and after practice I would walk past the All-American board in our wrestling Room and touch the first place beside Terrance Fanning's name, and tell myself that I want that beside my name. I have worked so hard for this, our team has worked so hard to bring home a trophy."

"The guys competed amazing," he added. "We showed up and did our jobs. And the coaching staff did their jobs as well! That's why we are climbing year by year. Thank you everyone for all the support! I love you all!" Warner and Craig were two of six All-Americans for Wheeling Jesuit on the day. Fanning at 285, freshman Cole Laya (Fairmont, W.Va./East Fairmont) at 125, as well as sophomores Jared Donahue (Vienna, W.Va./Parkersburg) and Aidan Pasiuk (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) all garnered All-America status to establish a new program-record.

Fanning was dealt a crushing 9-7 loss in overtime in the semifinals to send him into the consolation bracket. The 2018 National Champion recovered to pick up an 8-5 decision in the consolation semifinals, but finished the weekend in fourth place following a loss to Notre Dame's Kameron Teacher in the third-place bout.

"It is honestly a mixed, bittersweet kind of moment," Fanning said. "I've trained hard all season and battled off injuries and felt amazing this tournament and did everything I could. These past two days have been a full of so much joy and love even when we experienced a loss or something didn't go our way, we all had our families, friends, and teammates cheering us on which helped us finish our individual and team goals."

Laya opened the day with a nail-biting 2-1 loss to Lindenwood's Carlos Jacquez to send him into the consolation bracket. The freshman All-American recovered and notched a pin in the consolation semis and a decision over Brett Velasquez of St. Cloud State to place third overall.

"I feel like I wrestled really good this weekend," Laya said. "I had to bounce back after my loss in the semis and I did so. To be in the team race was an amazing feeling. Nobody in that arena believed that Wheeling Jesuit was going to be in the running and look we ended up getting second place. This wasn't just the guys wrestling we have to give credit to our crowd. They were always excited and got all the wrestler amped up and that was a big thing for us. At the end of the day we took home the second place trophy and I couldn't be happier."

Pasiuk opened up the day with a 10-7 win to move into the consolation semifinals, but was defeated in that round. A medical forfeit in his next match clinched the sophomore fifth place and All-American honors this season.

Donahue lost both his matches on the day, but still secured eighth place to finish as an All-American this year.

"I felt that I wrestled tough, considering I had to work my way back after getting beaten my first match," Pasiuk said. "There is always room for improvement, and I'll get to show that next year. To be in a team race feels awesome. We walked in this tournament doubted and now are one of the best programs in the country! This just shows where you can be with hard work and discipline."

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to wrestle at this level and represent my team," Donahue said. "It really showed me where I need to improve, and I'm ready to come back next year and leave my mark."

"It is exhilarating to be in the team race as a young team with such amazing wrestlers," he added. "The growth in our program has really shown this weekend as we've tripled our team points from last year. We have truly made our statement as a team in Division II wrestling."

Coach Irwin on Individual Performances

On Craig:
"Connor Craig equals hard work! He went hard last season, but took it up another level in everything that he does. He said he was never nothing until now, but he has always been something because of his approach to life! Just amazing to see the growth he has made as a man! He was a crowd favorite this weekend with his attack mentality!"

On Warner:
"He is a bad dude, especially when he decides to be offensive early in matches. For his brother and 2x AA to be in his corner and hand him his award on the podium is such a cool thing to witness. The Warner family brings it in everything they do and Ty is continuing to raise the bar in our program!"

On Laya:
"He is not happy about third, but deep down he should be! He had in my opinion a bad decision go against him in the semi-finals that would be tough for anyone to let go of. He used it to fuel him as he beat a 4X All-American and former National Champ for 3rd place! Jesuit fans have to be excited about having that spark plug out on the mat for us the next three years!"

On Donahue:
"He stepped into the spotlight this year and showed he was the man start to finish this season. So many young guys on our team should be looking to him for how to approach being a student-athlete. He gutted out some big points for us this weekend!"

On Pasiuk:
"Would the real Aidan Pasiuk please stand up! He did just that, we knew it was in him, but it has been hit or miss match to match the last two seasons. It came out at regionals and is here to stay. Super happy for him to knockout one of his goals!"

On Fanning:
"You wrestle that semi-finals 9 more times and I feel he goes 9-0 however that's the fun & pain of high level competition. Proud that he went for it in overtime, that's why he has achieved so much." "He is such a special person! I have never cried before someone was about to wrestle their last match and that's what happened as he went out there and it hit me that I don't get to be in his corner for another competition. I have learned so much from him over the last two years, he has made me a better person & coach!"

Team Scores

1 St. Cloud St. 95.5
2 Wheeling Jesuit 87.5
 3 McKendree 83.0
4 Notre Dame (OH) 77.5
5 Neb.-Kearney 71.0
6 Pitt.-Johnstown 68.5
7 Lindenwood (Mo) 48.0
8 Tiffin 45.0
9 Newberry 42.0
10 Kutztown 41.0
11 Millersville 40.0
12 Maryville (MO) 38.0
13 Augustana (SD) 26.5
14 East Stroudsburg 23.5
15 Upper Iowa 22.5
16 Central Okla. 22.0
17 San Fran. St. 21.5
18 Limestone 20.0
19 Mary 19.0
20 Newman 18.0
 21 UNC Pembroke 17.5
22 Adams St. 14.5
23 Findlay 13.5
24 Colorado Mesa 13.0
24 Western Colo. 13.0
26 Fort Hays St. 12.5
27 Ashland 10.0
28 Simon Fraser 9.5
29 LIU Post 6.5
29 MSU Moorhead 6.5
31 Mercyhurst 6.0
31 Minnesota St. 6.0
31 Seton Hill 6.0
34 Bellarmine 5.0
34 Colorado St.-Pueblo 5.0
34 Gannon 5.0
37 Emmanuel (GA) 4.5
38 Shippensburg 4.0
39 Coker 2.5
39 Colo. Sch. of Mines 2.5
 39 King (TN) 2.5
39 Queens (NC) 2.5
43 Chadron St. 1.0
43 Drury 1.0
43 Southwest Minn. St. 1.0
46 Alderson Broaddus 0.5
46 UIndy 0.5
46 West Liberty 0.5
49 American Int`l 0.0
49 Belmont Abbey 0.0
49 Central Mo. 0.0
49 Lake Erie 0.0
49 Northern St. 0.0
49 Ohio Valley 0.0
55 Minot St. -1.0
55 Wis.-Parkside -1.0



2019 NCAA Division II Championships Results for Wheeling Jesuit

125
Cole Laya (22-3) placed 3rd and scored 14.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cole Laya (Wheeling Jesuit) 22-3 won by decision over Jonathan Andreatta (Adams St.) 21-6 (Dec 2-1)
Quarterfinal - Cole Laya (Wheeling Jesuit) 22-3 won by decision over Nick Daggett (UNC Pembroke) 27-8 (Dec 5-3)
Semifinal - Carlos Jacquez (Lindenwood (Mo)) 30-0 won by decision over Cole Laya (Wheeling Jesuit) 22-3 (Dec 4-1)
Cons. Semi - Cole Laya (Wheeling Jesuit) 22-3 won by fall over Tyler Kreith (Maryville (MO)) 34-13 (Fall 6:41)
3rd Place Match - Cole Laya (Wheeling Jesuit) 22-3 won by decision over Brett Velasquez (St. Cloud St.) 23-5 (Dec 6-4)

133
Tyler Warner (29-1) placed 1st and scored 19.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tyler Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-1 won in tie breaker - 2 over Jordan Gurrola (San Fran. St.) 26-9 (TB-2 4-3)
Quarterfinal - Tyler Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-1 won by decision over Sha`Mun Smith (Limestone) 19-12 (Dec 6-2)
Semifinal - Tyler Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-1 won by decision over Tate Barnhardt (Mary) 25-7 (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match - Tyler Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-1 won by decision over Wesley Dawkins (Neb.-Kearney) 27-10 (Dec 4-1)

141
Jared Donahue (29-7) placed 8th and scored 6.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jared Donahue (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Jered Sublet (Minot St.) 11-11 (SV-1 8-6)
Quarterfinal - Brandon Ball (Fort Hays St.) 28-2 won by decision over Jared Donahue (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-7 (Dec 3-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Jared Donahue (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-7 won by fall over Louie Sanders (Minnesota St.) 15-7 (Fall 6:41)
Cons. Round 3 - Eduardo Penha (Colorado Mesa) 27-5 won by decision over Jared Donahue (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-7 (Dec 9-6)
7th Place Match - Joseph Calderone (LIU Post) 21-4 won by decision over Jared Donahue (Wheeling Jesuit) 29-7 (Dec 3-0)

174
Connor Craig (32-1) placed 1st and scored 21.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Connor Craig (Wheeling Jesuit) 32-1 won by fall over Kody Eichlin (King (TN)) 18-8 (Fall 5:06)
Quarterfinal - Connor Craig (Wheeling Jesuit) 32-1 won by decision over Michael Raccioppi (East Stroudsburg) 30-5 (Dec 7-3)
Semifinal - Connor Craig (Wheeling Jesuit) 32-1 won by decision over Kolton Eischens (St. Cloud St.) 25-4 (Dec 9-2)
1st Place Match - Connor Craig (Wheeling Jesuit) 32-1 won by decision over Nick Foster (McKendree) 36-5 (Dec 6-2)

184
Aidan Pasiuk (30-6) placed 5th and scored 14.5 team points.
Prelim - Justin Pichedwatana (San Fran. St.) 27-13 won by decision over Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 (Dec 3-2)
Prelim - Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 won by decision over Brody Conner (UIndy) 18-10 (Dec 9-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 won by fall over Bailey Kelly (Maryville (MO)) 27-12 (Fall 1:18)
Cons. Round 2 - Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 won by tech fall over Griffin Osing (Southwest Minn. St.) 20-11 (TF-1.5 4:46 (18-1))
Cons. Round 3 - Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 won by decision over Anthony Collins (Limestone) 10-7 (Dec 11-6)
Cons. Semi - Heath Gray (Central Okla.) 36-2 won by major decision over Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 (MD 12-2)
5th Place Match - Aidan Pasiuk (Wheeling Jesuit) 30-6 won by medical forfeit over Jeff Reimel (Kutztown) 18-3 (M. For.)

285
Terrance Fanning (26-4) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit) 26-4 won by decision over Jordan Magnuson (MSU Moorhead) 5-7 (Dec 9-3)
Quarterfinal - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit) 26-4 won by tech fall over Patton Gossett (Newberry) 25-9 (TF-1.5 5:00 (18-2))
Semifinal - Jarrod Hinrichs (Neb.-Kearney) 35-8 won in sudden victory - 1 over Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit) 26-4 (SV-1 9-7)
Cons. Semi - Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit) 26-4 won by decision over Ciaran Ball (Simon Fraser) 15-6 (Dec 8-5)
3rd Place Match - Kameron Teacher (Notre Dame (OH)) 26-7 won by major decision over Terrance Fanning (Wheeling Jesuit) 26-4 (MD 14-6)

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