Cedar Rapids, Iowa –March 6, 2010 – Senior 157 pounder Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry) of the Heidelberg University wrestling team closed out his collegiate career with a runner-up finish at the 2010 NCAA Division III Championships at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mizer suffered a 4-2 setback to Luke Miller of Ohio Northern University in the championship bout. En route to his second place finish he became the 15th All-American in the history of the Berg wrestling program. It is his first All-American accolade in three appearances at nationals.
For the season, Mizer posted a 30-9 overall record. He will graduate as just the fourth wrestler at the Berg to eclipse 100 victories and his 112 wins stand second all-time.
Mizer opened the bout with an early takedown and led 2-1 after one period. Miller chose down to begin the second period and registered an escape to tie the bout. A few seconds later Miller got a takedown of his own to extend and rode out the remaining time in the period to erase Mizer’s riding time advantage. The third period would be scoreless giving Miller the 4-2 decision.
The sixth seed in the tournament, Mizer opened up his final trip to nationals with a 12-4 major decision over Justin Skilling of St. Olaf College. Mizer went on to upset the no. 3 seed Jesse Milks of UW-Platteville, 3-1, with a takedown in overtime to land on the All-American podium. His spot was secured in the championship bout by virtue of a 7-6 decision over Wartburg College’s Adam Weber.
