Gonzalez wins two of four matches at U23 nationals

OMAHA, Nebraska, Nov. 14, 2020 – Former State Open champion JoJo Gonzalez, who is a senior at American International College, wrestled in USA Wrestling’s Under-23 national tournament this weekend.

Representing the Silverback Wrestling Club out of Windham, Gonzalez went 2-2 at 70 kilograms or 154 pounds. He fell one victory shy of earning a top 8 finish and a medal in the freestyle tournament.

Gonzalez won his first two matches by pinning Tyler Shilson of the Minnesota Storm club in 1:58 and outlasting Michael Van Brill of Scarlet Knights WC, 7-6.

Garrett Model of Wisconsin RTC pinned Gonzalez in 3:12 in the round of eight and in his first consolation bout, Cory Crooks of Sunkist Kids beat Gonzalez by tech fall, 12-2 in 4:02. Crooks finished fifth in the tournament while Model finished fourth.

Gonzalez, a former State Open champion at Ellis Tech, won a NCAA Division II Super Regional 1 title at 157 last February for AIC before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sport. He was the first AIC wrestler to win a regional wrestling title since 2001. He finished 33-6 last season.