Rhoads first wrestler in Wabash history to earn consecutive All-American honors
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By BRENT HARRIS
www.wabash.edu
Hillsboro High School graduate Greg Rhoads became the first Wabash wrestler in school history to earn All-America honors in back-to-back seasons by finishing eighth at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship meet.
Rhoads finished eighth at 184 pounds at the 2011 meet in addition to the eighth-place podium spot this year. He also joins Chris Healy as the only two-time All-Americans in Wabash wrestling history. Healy finished in eighth place in 2003 and was second at the 2005 NCAA National Championship meet.
Rhoads started Friday with a 4-3 decision over third-seeded Dylan Azinger from Wartburg, the same wrestler he defeated last year in the finals to earn his top-eight finish. A 4-2 loss in the next round to sixth-seeded Michael Reilly from King's College sent Rhoads to the consolation bracket, where he posted a 6-5 win over Ethan Ball from Coe College to earn one of the spots on the podium.
Saturday Rhoads opened with a 7-2 loss to Josef Rau from Elmhurst, who finished third in the final standings. The loss sent Rhoads to the seventh place bout, where Jefferson Ajayi from Wesleyan (CT) claimed a 5-3 victory.
"Going into my senior year of high school I had every intention of wrestling in college, but then I just started breaking and almost gave up the sport," Rhoads said. "Then I came to Wabash and the fire was kind of re-lit under me again. I'm so glad it did. I've enjoyed ever minute of competing here at Wabash. Everything I've been involved with, including the chance to compete on the national stage and earn two All-America titles, has meant the world to me."
Rhoads ends his career with a total of 148 victories, placing him second on the Wabash all-time list behind Healy with 159.[[In-content Ad]]
www.wabash.edu
Hillsboro High School graduate Greg Rhoads became the first Wabash wrestler in school history to earn All-America honors in back-to-back seasons by finishing eighth at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship meet.
Rhoads finished eighth at 184 pounds at the 2011 meet in addition to the eighth-place podium spot this year. He also joins Chris Healy as the only two-time All-Americans in Wabash wrestling history. Healy finished in eighth place in 2003 and was second at the 2005 NCAA National Championship meet.
Rhoads started Friday with a 4-3 decision over third-seeded Dylan Azinger from Wartburg, the same wrestler he defeated last year in the finals to earn his top-eight finish. A 4-2 loss in the next round to sixth-seeded Michael Reilly from King's College sent Rhoads to the consolation bracket, where he posted a 6-5 win over Ethan Ball from Coe College to earn one of the spots on the podium.
Saturday Rhoads opened with a 7-2 loss to Josef Rau from Elmhurst, who finished third in the final standings. The loss sent Rhoads to the seventh place bout, where Jefferson Ajayi from Wesleyan (CT) claimed a 5-3 victory.
"Going into my senior year of high school I had every intention of wrestling in college, but then I just started breaking and almost gave up the sport," Rhoads said. "Then I came to Wabash and the fire was kind of re-lit under me again. I'm so glad it did. I've enjoyed ever minute of competing here at Wabash. Everything I've been involved with, including the chance to compete on the national stage and earn two All-America titles, has meant the world to me."
Rhoads ends his career with a total of 148 victories, placing him second on the Wabash all-time list behind Healy with 159.[[In-content Ad]]