Tiffin, Ohio – February 28, 2009 – The nationally ranked Heidelberg University wrestling team will have four representatives at the 2010 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships hosted by the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, along with Coe College and Cornell College at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 5-6.
Making his third-consecutive trip to the national tournament is 157 pound senior Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry). He will lead the group back to “the show” with fellow seasoned national qualifier junior Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood) at 165 pounds. Powering their way to the national stage are first time starters Tom D’Alessandro (Mayfield Heights, Ohio / Mayfield) at 133 pounds and Sam Delpra (Chesterland, Ohio / West Geauga) at 141 pounds.
Mizer forces his way back to the national tournament with a “wild card” being ranked fifth in the nation and currently holding a 27-7 record on the year. He is a two-time OAC runner-up at 157 pounds and won t he 149 pound weight class as a sophomore. Mizer is in search of his first All-American accolade. This season he surpassed the 100-win plateau and marked just the fourth wrestler at the Berg to do so.
Curley returns to the national tournament for the second-straight season. He earned an automatic bid to nationals by virtue of defending his 165 pound OAC Championship. For the year Curley boasts an overall record of 26-4 and was undefeated in the conference. He is currently ranked eighth in the nation. Curley will look to find a spot on the All-American podium for the first time.
In just two seasons, D’Alessandro has combined to post over 40 wins, but has made a statement in 2010. Earning the number one seed in the OAC Tournament and won the championship in just his first year in Heidelberg’s OAC dual line up. Heading into nationals he owns an overall mark of 21-9.
Another talented sophomore making an impression this season has been Delpra. He was undefeated in conference action and successfully defended his no. 1 seed at the OAC Tournament to earn a spot in his first nationals. At 18-11 overall, Delpra is seeking to eclipse the 20-win plateau.
