BROOKS LOSES AT NCAA D-I WRESTLING NATIONALS

            (Auburn Hills, Mi.): A.J. Brooks (So. Lewes, De.) Clarion’s lone representative at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships lost his opening bout on Thursday, then lost his wrestle back match to put him out of the championships.

            Held at “The Palace at Auburn Hills”, the 77^th NCAA Division I National Championship, Brooks lost his opening bout to Missouri freshman Mark Ellis 8-3, then lost by fall to Lehigh’s Paul Weibel at 52-seconds.

            In the opening bout Ellis scored a first period takedown and Brooks received a point late in the period on an unsportsmanlike call against Ellis for driving Brooks off the mat and into the coaches chairs. Brooks escaped to tie the score 2-2 in the second, but Ellis scores a takedown with 2 seconds left in the period to make it 4-2. Ellis escapes in the third and scores a takedown to go ahead 7-2. Brooks is awarded a stalling point after two stall calls against Ellis. The match ends and Ellis adds a riding point for an 8-3 victory.

            In the Weibel match the Lehigh senior scored the opening takedown to lead 2-0, then pinned Brooks at 52-seconds.

            Weibel was the fifth place finisher at the recently held EIWA Tournament and went to the NCAA’s as a coaches wild card selection. 21-10 entering the tournament. He was a two-time NCAA Qualifier and went 2-2 at nationals last year.

            Brooks finishes his season with a record of 18-13. He was second at the EWL Championships to qualify for nationals. He was 14-18 as a freshman and placed fourth at EWL’s, narrowly missing an NCAA Qualifying spot. He has a career record of 32-31.