STCC wrestling teams cap off a successful season at Nationals

STCC wrestlers at the NCWA Nationals in Allen, Texas.

The men and women’s wrestling teams at Springfield Technical Community College wrapped up a successful season at the 2019 NCWA National Wrestling Championships in Allen, Texas.

The men’s team came in fifth place out of 77 colleges with five wrestlers being named All-American. The women’s team captured third place in the nationals, with two All-Americans. The teams competed March 14-16 in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association championships.

The Rams also earned some individual academic honors. Earning 2019 NCWA All-Academic Team honors were Jacob Berry and Mike Clark. On the women's team, Cristal Reyes received the honor.

To be eligible for the academic honor, nominees must have at least a 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Coaches Alberto Nieves and Asnage Castelly with women wrestlers.

"To be named an NWCA All-Academic team is a huge accomplishment," said Ram head coach Alberto Nieves. "As a team and staff we talk about academics on a daily basis and to have both the men’s and women’s on the All-Academic Team is really impressive. It demonstrates how well-rounded these students are at STCC and how well balanced they are on and off the wrestling mat.”

Nieves was voted men’s Coach of the Year for the third year in a row for the Northeast conference. Asnage Castelly was voted women’s Coach of the Year for the Northeast conference.

The men defended the conference championship for the third time and finished the season with a 10-4 record.

Here are the men's individual results at the National Championships:

  • Marcos Mecardo of Northampton, 141 pounds, 2nd place (national runner-up), All-American
  • David Ortiz of Naples, Fla., 133 pounds, 3rd place, All-American
  • Chaasadyah St. Phard of Springfield, 285 pounds, 5th place, All-American
  • Jacob Berry of Somers, Conn., 174 pounds, 6th place, All-American
  • Mike Clark of Louisville, Ky., 157 pounds, 7th place, All-American
  • Chris Vega of Holyoke, 125 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • Damian Figueroa of Springfield, 149 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • Ryan Williams of Springfield, 149 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • Justin Perez of Holyoke, 157 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • Josh Fontanez of Portland, Conn., 165 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • George Hargrove of Springfield, 197 pounds, (national qualifier)

In the NCWA Nationals, the women’s wrestling team came in 3rd place out of 29 colleges. Here are the women's individual results at the National Championships: 

  • Josselinne Campos of Kingston, N.Y., 130 pounds, 1st place, (national champion) All-American
  • Tara Linneman of New Paltz, N.Y., 136 pounds, 1st place, (national champion) All-American
  • Cristal Reyes of El Monte, Calif., 116 pounds, (national qualifier)
  • Savvy Eliza of Hollis, N.H., 123 pounds, (national qualifier)

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 5,000 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu