UCF used its depth to overcome a disastrous start to the day, rallying past The Apprentice School in the placing rounds to claim the National Collegiate Wrestling Association title.<\/p>\n
UCF did not have a wrestler in the finals Saturday at the Hampton University Convocation Center, but utilized two thirds and four fourth-place finishers among its eight All-American placers to win its first national title in five seasons. It was a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance for the Knights, who saw a 15.5-point lead over defending champion Apprentice evaporate in one session as UCF wrestlers went 0-for-8 in which all five semifinalists lost.<\/p>\n
The Knights rallied with a perfect 6-for-6 sweep in their mid-day consolation rounds that guaranteed at least six top-four finishes. Christopher Hauser became a two-time All-American with a third-place finish at 174 pounds, and Richard Rippy also placed third for an All-American finish for a third straight season. Alexander Chiricosta (125), Steve DeAugustino (133), Michael Dominguez (235) and Daniel Rowe (285) took fourth.<\/p>\n
“If the morning was Jekyll, then we definitely prefer the Hyde,” said long-time UCF coach Johnny Rouse.<\/p>\n
The key to UCF’s rise came in the quarterfinals where it advanced six wrestlers into the semifinals.<\/p>\n