Wrestlers to compete for spot at nationals at NCAA Div. 3 Northeast Regional

Johnson & Wales is hosting the 2019 NCAA Division III Northeast Regionals this weekend in Providence. (Graphic courtesy Johnson & Wales)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Wrestlers from around New England will competing for a spot in the upcoming NCAA Division III national championship tournament this weekend at the seventh annual Northeast Regional championships at Johnson & Wales in Providence.

It is one of six regional tournaments around the country. The top three wrestlers in each of 10 weight classes earns an invitational to the D3 nationals on March 8-9 in Roanoke, Virginia.

Johnson & Wales, which is ranked No. 2 in the country with a 23-4 record, is the two-time defending tournament champion. They are led by senior Jay Albis, the defending NCAA Division III national champion at 125 pounds.

Johnson & Wales are one of three ranked teams in the tournament. No. 17 New York University (15-4) and No. 18 Coast Guard (9-3) are in the field of 17 teams along with Trinity College and Wesleyan.

Trinity senior Grant Sorenson (157) is ranked No. 4 in the country while Roger Williams’ Taylor Shay of New Fairfield is ranked No. 2 at 165 pounds.

Coast Guard has two nationally ranked wrestlers – junior A.J. Aeberli, who is No. 7 at 174 while teammate Paul Detwiler is ranked No. 2 at 184 pounds.

Windsor Locks senior Khamri Thomas of Johnson and Wales is ranked No. 4 in the nation at 184.

Wrestling begins on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with the quarterfinals beginning at 2 p.m. On Sunday, the championship semifinals begin at 10 a.m. The fifth place bouts kick off at 1 p.m. with the championship and consolation finals beginning at 2:30 p.m.

2019 Northeast Regional brackets

NCAA Division III Northeast Regional
Previous results
2018: 1. Johnson & Wales 156½, 2. WPI 92½, 3. Wesleyan 91½, 4. New York University 89, 5. Southern Maine 88
2017: 1. Johnson & Wales 171½, 2. Ithaca College 139½, 3. Cortland (NY) State 111½, 4. Roger Williams 95, 5. Oneonta (NY) State 72½
2016: 1. Itacha 144, 2. Roger Williams 136½, 3. Cortland (NY) State 119, 4. Johnson & Wales 104½, 5. Williams 99½
2015: 1. Ithaca 128½; 2. Johnson and Wales 106; 3. Williams 101; 4. Roger Williams and Cortland State (State University of New York at Cortland) 96
2014: 1. Cortland State 128; 2. Ithaca 126; 3. Johnson & Wales 105½; 4. Roger Williams 97½; 5. Williams 78½
2013: 1. Cortland State 133½, 2. Springfield 123, 3. Itacha 96, 4. Wesleyan 91, 5. Johnson & Wales 78