CLEVELAND (March 9) – Led by championship titles by sophomores Tyler Warner (Dennison, Ohio/Claymont) and Connor Craig (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder), the Wheeling Jesuit University wrestling team was crowned the NCAA Division II National Runner-Up on the final day of the national championships inside the Wolstein Center.

In addition to the team accolades, Head Coach Danny Irwin was presented with the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year award following the conclusion of the matches. St. Cloud State won its second-consecutive National Championship.

Warner started the day with a 4-2 win over Tate Barnhardt of UMary to propel himself into the championship match. In the final versus Wesley Dawkins of Nebraska-Kearney, Warner notched a 4-1 decision to claim the National Championship at 133.

Craig's path opened up with a 9-2 semifinal win over Kolton Eischens of St. Cloud State. In the championship bout, Craig fell behind 1-0, but earned a trio of takedowns against McKendree's Nick Foster to secure a 6-2 decision and the National Championship at 174.

"I am in awe of this," said Irwin. "Not just because of the moments we had the last couple days, but everything that so many people have put into the process!"

Warner and Craig became the second and third National Champions in program history, joining Terrance Fanning (Bruceton Mills, W.Va./Preston) who won the 2018 championship at 285.

"Tonight has left me speechless," Craig said. "Being a national champ has been a lifetime dream of mine and I finally accomplished it! I've worked non-stop relentlessly for this exact moment and every long practice, workout, night, has been worth it. Clinching the team finish is something I didn't realize I did but that's like a little extra treat for the team. Super proud of this team and how we finished. The cherry on top is earning academic All-America since I didn't make it last year so this is a dream come true."

"This weekend was hands down the toughest, but the best weekend of my life," Warner said. "I am speechless still, it hasn't hit me yet that I am a 2019 National Champion. Everyday before practice, and after practice I would walk past the All-American board in our wrestling Room and touch the first place beside Terrance Fanning's name, and tell myself that I want that beside my name. I have worked so hard for this, our team has worked so hard to bring home a trophy."

Warner and Craig were two of six All-Americans for Wheeling Jesuit on the day. Fanning at 285, freshman Cole Laya (Fairmont, W.Va./East Fairmont) at 125, as well as sophomores Jared Donahue (Vienna, W.Va./Parkersburg) and Aidan Pasiuk (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) all garnered All-America status to establish a new program-record.
 
Fanning was dealt a crushing 9-7 loss in overtime in the semifinals to send him into the consolation bracket. The 2018 National Champion recovered to pick up an 8-5 decision in the consolation semifinals, but finished the weekend in fourth place following a loss to Notre Dame's Kameron Teacher in the third-place bout.

"It is honestly a mixed, bittersweet kind of moment," Fanning said. "I've trained hard all season and battled off injuries and felt amazing this tournament and did everything I could. These past two days have been a full of so much joy and love even when we experienced a loss or something didn't go our way, we all had our families, friends, and teammates cheering us on which helped us finish our individual and team goals."
 
Laya opened the day with a nail-biting 2-1 loss to Lindenwood's Carlos Jacquez to send him into the consolation bracket. The freshman All-American recovered and notched a pin in the consolation semis and a decision over Brett Velasquez of St. Cloud State to place third overall.

"I feel like I wrestled really good this weekend," Laya said. "I had to bounce back after my loss in the semis and I did so. To be in the team race was an amazing feeling. Nobody in that arena believed that Wheeling Jesuit was going to be in the running and look we ended up getting second place. This wasn't just the guys wrestling we have to give credit to our crowd. They were always excited and got all the wrestler amped up and that was a big thing for us. At the end of the day we took home the second place trophy and I couldn't be happier."
 
Pasiuk opened up the day with a 10-7 win to move into the consolation semifinals, but was defeated in that round. A medical forfeit in his next match clinched the sophomore fifth place and All-American honors this season.
 
Donahue lost both his matches on the day, but still secured eighth place to finish as an All-American this year. 

"I felt that I wrestled tough, considering I had to work my way back after getting beaten my first match," Pasiuk said. "There is always room for improvement, and I'll get to show that next year. To be in a team race feels awesome. We walked in this tournament doubted and now are one of the best programs in the country! This just shows where you can be with hard work and discipline."

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to wrestle at this level and represent my team," Donahue said. "It really showed me where I need to improve, and I'm ready to come back next year and leave my mark."

"It is exhilarating to be in the team race as a young team with such amazing wrestlers," he added. "The growth in our program has really shown this weekend as we've tripled our team points from last year. We have truly made our statement as a team in Division II wrestling."

Coach on Individual Performances

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On Craig:
"Connor Craig equals hard work! He went hard last season, but took it up another level in everything that he does. He said he was never nothing until now, but he has always been something because of his approach to life! Just amazing to see the growth he has made as a man! He was a crowd favorite this weekend with his attack mentality!" 

On Warner:
"He is a bad dude, especially when he decides to be offensive early in matches. For his brother and 2x AA to be in his corner and hand him his award on the podium is such a cool thing to witness. The Warner family brings it in everything they do and Ty is continuing to raise the bar in our program!"

On Laya:
"He is not happy about third, but deep down he should be! He had in my opinion a bad decision go against him in the semi-finals that would be tough for anyone to let go of. He used it to fuel him as he beat a 4X All-American and former National Champ for 3rd place! Jesuit fans have to be excited about having that spark plug out on the mat for us the next three years!"

On Donahue:
"He stepped into the spotlight this year and showed he was the man start to finish this season. So many young guys on our team should be looking to him for how to approach being a student-athlete. He gutted out some big points for us this weekend!"

On Pasiuk:
"Would the real Aidan Pasiuk please stand up! He did just that, we knew it was in him, but it has been hit or miss match to match the last two seasons. It came out at regionals and is here to stay. Super happy for him to knockout one of his goals!"

On Fanning:
"You wrestle that semi-finals 9 more times and I feel he goes 9-0 however that's the fun & pain of high level competition. Proud that he went for it in overtime, that's why he has achieved so much."

"He is such a special person! I have never cried before someone was about to wrestle their last match and that's what happened as he went out there and it hit me that I don't get to be in his corner for another competition. I have learned so much from him over the last two years, he has made me a better person & coach!"