Brush graduate Brian Hauser weighed 108 pounds when he arrived at Notre Dame College.
Nothing wrong with a slight frame under normal circumstances, but after finishing second at 103 pounds in the state tournament as a high school senior, Hauser wanted to wrestle in college.
Takers were few because the smallest college wrestlers weigh 125 pounds.
‘I didn’t get recruited by colleges because 125 is a big step up,’ Hauser said. ‘This was pretty much the only one to call me.’
Attending the college closest to home worked out well for Hauser, a senior ending his career in his hometown this weekend. Hauser has grown into a sturdy 125-pounder and will play a key part in NDC’s title hopes when the two-day NCAA Division II Championships begin March 14 at Public Auditorium in Cleveland. No wrestler in the 160-athlete field attended high school closer to the venerable building.
Eight teammates join Hauser in the tournament, making the Falcons a popular pick to win the team title this weekend. College wrestling features 10 weight classes and this marks the second straight year NDC has qualified nine wrestlers for the national tournament. The Falcons finished third last year. Only four points separated NDC and champion Nebraska-Kearney.
Hauser placed fifth at the region tournament in 2013, missing a participatory trip to Birmingham, Ala., by one victory. Watching teammates battle Nebraska-Kearney and St. Cloud State (Minn.) for the team wasn’t easy.
‘I was the only one who didn’t make it on my team, so I felt bad,’ Hauser said. ‘The whole offseason, non-stop I was up here grinding, waiting for this moment. Now that I made it, I’m just trying to become an All-American.’
Finishing third at the Super Region I tournament earlier this month secured Hauser’s NCAA spot. He has grown to 130 pounds – almost every college wrestler walks around at a heavier weight than one he competes at – and will be the first NDC wrestler to compete this weekend.
Marty Carlson (133 pounds), Maurice Miller (141), Andrew Bannister (149), Jonatan Rivera (157), Eric Burgey (165), Joey Davis (174), Garrett Lineberger (184) and Brandonn Johnson (197) are NDC’s other qualifiers.
Two-time defending champion Nebraska-Kearney, St. Cloud State, Indianapolis, Newberry and Central Oklahoma should provide NDC’s biggest competition.
‘Having nine guys is probably the best position we can hope for,’ Miller said. ‘We did the same thing last year to put ourselves in a position to win. Hopefully, that gives us the best odds to win the championships.’
The Falcons aren’t the only program bringing a big Northeast Ohio presence to the event.
Lake Erie College qualified a program-record four wrestlers, including 2013 national finalist Zak Vargo (157). Riverside graduate Evan Rosborough (197), Dylan Kager (141) and Chevy Farris (184) are the Storm’s other qualifiers.
West Geauga graduate and Findlay senior Adam Walters is competing at 174 pounds after earning All-American honors at 184 the past two seasons. Walters, a 2012 NCAA finalist, competes in the same weight class as NDC’s Davis, who owns a 68-0 career record.
Madison graduate Matt Turek is competing at 125 pounds for Gannon. Turek is ranked sixth in the weight class.
Ohio hasn’t hosted an NCAA wrestling championship at any level since 1998, when a Dan Gable-led Iowa team claimed the Division I title at Cleveland State.
‘There has never been a Division II or III tournament in Cleveland, so this is big,’ NDC coach Frank Romano said. ‘Our kids are ready. We feel good about it being here. We also feel we’re going to take a shot at winning it.’
