Bristol’s Nichols is the final wrestler to compete for AIC

The American International College wrestling program has ended after this weekend’s NCAA Division II national championship meet.

The last wrestler has left and American International College’s wrestling shoes are on the mat. AIC’s final wrestler, Tommy Nichols of Bristol, wrestled twice at the NCAA Division II national championships in Indianapolis on Saturday at 157 pounds.

Nichols, a senior from Bristol Eastern, lost both of his matches. He dropped an 8-0 decision to top-ranked Joel Jesuroga of St. Cloud State and was eliminated in a loss to No. 8 John Riddle of Central Missouri, 9-6. Riddle got a takedown with 1:09 remaining to snap a 6-6 tie and take the lead.

Jesuroga (second) and Riddle (fifth) both earned All-American honors. Nichols ended the season at 16-6.

In November, AIC said they would be dropping their varsity wrestling program and women’s tennis while moving their men’s hockey team from Division I to Division II. The move is part of the school’s “Pathway to Progress” initiative, which outlines an expansive organizational business plan to guide AIC over the next several years.

Bristol Eastern’s Tommy Nichols was the final wrestler for AIC, competing at the NCAA Division II national championships this weekend in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy AIC)

AIC finished their final season with a 6-15 dual meet record and a victories in their last three dual meets against Bridgewater State, 27-17, Rhode Island College, 25-18 and Trinity College, 32-21 on February 15 at Bridgewater.

Traditionally, when a wrestler competes in their final match, some leave their wrestling shoes on the mat to signify their retirement from the sport.

The AIC program began in 1991. AIC is the only current Division II program in New England although the University of Bridgeport plans to field men’s and women’s wrestling program at the Division II level next fall.

Willimantic’s Jo Jo Gonzalez, who wrestled at Ellis Tech in Danielson, was a two-time All-American with AIC in 2021 and 2022, when he finished second at 157 pounds at the NCAA Division II national championship meet.

Windham’s Rafael Calixto coached Gonzalez at Ellis Tech. Calixto earned All-American honors at AIC in 1997 by finishing sixth at 126 pounds at the NCAA Division II nationals.

Gonzalez and Calixto are two of six wrestlers to earn All-American honors at AIC, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s champions database.

2025 NCAA Division II national championships
At Indianapolis
Team results (top 5) – 1. Nebraska-Kearney 115, 2. Augustana (South Dakota) 63, 3. St. Cloud State (Minnesota) 57½, 4. Lander (South Carolina) 56, 5. Central Oklahoma 55½
2025 NCAA Division II national championships brackets and results (TrackWrestling.com)