Tiger wrestling team places second at NJCAA West Central District Championship

Led by Ottis Peeler going 4-0 and placing first in the 184-pound weight class, the No. 17-ranked Cowley College wrestling team placed second out of 10 teams at the NJCAA West Central District Championship held Saturday in Miami, OK.

The Tigers finished second behind only seventh-ranked Northeast Oklahoma and qualified eight wrestlers to compete at the NJCAA National Championship March 6-7 in Council Bluffs, IA.

"I felt the guys fought hard and wrestled well," Cowley head coach Beau Vest said.

Cowley's Liam Corbett (157 pounds), Garrett Lange (165 pounds), and Tyler Shannon (heavyweight) each advanced to the title match for losing.

Tiger national qualifiers are: Corwin Strachan (125 pounds), Austin Kincaid (133 pounds), Isaiah Banks (141 pounds), Liam Corbett (157 pounds), Garrett Lange (165 pounds), Jesse Nunez (174 pounds), Ottis Peeler (184 pounds), and Tyler Shannon (heavyweight).

"We have some things to work on individually this week and are very excited to take this group to the national tournament," Vest said.

Team scores: (1) Northeast Oklahoma, 183.5; (2) Cowley, 135; (3) NW Kansas Tech, 120; (4) Pratt, 109; (5) Colby, 106.5; (6) Labette, 88.5; (7) Neosho, 81.5; (8) Barton, 67.5; (9) Cloud, 66; (10) Arkansas Baptist College, 15.

Cowley Results:

*125 pounds – Corwin Strachan (CC) went 4-1 and placed third.
*133 pounds – Austin Kincaid (CC) went 2-2 and placed fifth.
*141 pounds – Isaiah Banks (CC) went 4-1 and placed third.
*149 pounds – Gabriel Capp (CC) went 0-2.
*157 pounds – Liam Corbett (CC) went 2-1 and placed second.
*165 pounds – Garrett Lange (CC) went 2-1 and placed second.
*174 pounds – Jesse Nunez (CC) went 2-2 and placed fifth.
*184 pounds – Ottis Peeler (CC) went 4-0 and placed first.
*197 pounds – Tyler Bingham (CC) went 2-2 and placed seventh.
*Heavyweight – Tyler Shannon (CC) went 2-1 and placed second.