Jack finishes second at U23 nationals at 143 pounds

Danbury native Ryan Jack was eliminated Friday from the NCAA Division I tournament by Lehigh’s Malyke Hines.

Danbury High graduate Ryan Jack finished second at the U23 national championship tournament on June 4 at Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio at 65 kilograms or 143 pounds.

Jack, who attends North Carolina State, won his first five matches of the tournament, including a win on criteria over defending champion Cole Matthews of Pittsburgh in the semifinals.

In the best-of-3 championship final, Nebraska’s Brock Hardy swept two matches from Jack to win the national title, 9-5 and 10-5.

With the victory, Hardy earns a spot on the U.S. team that will compete in the Under 23 world championships in Finland in October.

Tied at 5-5 in the opening match, Hardy scored the final four points of the match to win the opener over Jack. In the second match, Jack had a 5-2 lead after a throw and roll in the first period.

Trailing by one in the second period, Jack fell to his back trying to make a throw but Hardy defended well to prevent the throw and picked up four exposure points to take a 10-5 lead.

Jack earned his spot in the final by getting a takedown with 10 seconds left to force a tie, 3-3. Jack advanced on criteria.

In his four earlier matches in the tournament. Jack won three straight by 10-0 technical falls along with a pin in 3:23.

All the matches from Geneva, Ohio, can be viewed on-demand at FloWrestling.com with a subscription. Brackets and complete results are available on FloArena.