PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Ithaca College men's wrestling team had five wrestlers competing on the opening day of the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships on Friday at the Amica Mutal Pavilion. Junior grappler
Xavier Pommells was able to achieve All-American status for the first time in his collegiate career as he highlighted the Bombers performances going 3-1 on the day.
First year
Tomah Gummow opened his nationals in thrilling fashion. Neither him or Ausburg's Wyatt Kaczrowski was able to score other than their respective escapes, but it was Gummow who would earn the 4-1 sudden victory. Gummow would then matchup again the No. 7 seeded Gavin Bradley in his next bout, and it was Bradley who earned the fall at 2:44, which sent Gummow to the consolation bracket. The first year would then come up with a big time 4-2 decision as he defeated Loras College's Connor Fiser. However, he would drop a 16-0 tech fall to Alvernia's Keito Shaw and was eliminated from contention.
Returning All-American
Isaias Torres had a tough opening bout against Garrett Totten from TCNJ. As predicted, it was close until Totten scored on a shot and he was able to hold on for the 5-1 decision. Torres would then begin his fight back within the consolation bracket taking down Daniel Haws (Centenary) via a 3-1 decision to improve to 26-8 on the season. Torres was then equally impressive staying alive and taking down Coby Haney in a 18-6 major decision. His All-American campaign would fall short to the hands of James Day who defeated the Bomber in a 5-0 decision.
At 165 lbs.,
Konrad Parker took on the No. 7 seeded Brayden Peet from Wisconsin-Whitewater in his opening bout and only was able to score a pair of escapes before falling 8-2. The junior then battled another tough opponent in Dustin Bohren (Loras) who was able to win in an 8-4 decision.
Senior
Jackson Gray was on the losing end of a sudden victory, he fell to Zeb Gnida (Loras) by score of 8-5. In his first bout in the consolation bracket, Gray defeated Connor Gregory from Castleton in a 7-4 decision as he connected on the decisive takedown. Gray would then see his season and career come to an end as he fell in a fall to LJ Richardson (6:00).
It was another tight opening bout for an IC grappler as this time
Xavier Pommells dropped a 5-3 decision to Kenny Ross who was the No. 2 seeded wrestler at 184 lbs. He was able to win in his next bout and kept Vincenzo Corvetto (Roanoke) off the scoreboard and took the 7-0 decision. Pommells would then achieve his first career All-American status by winning in a 7-6 decision over Austin Wetzel. Pommells was able to just beat the buzzer in the end of the third period and got a takedown to earn the win.
Wrestling will continue on Saturday at 11 a.m. with wrestlers looking to solidify their All-American places in their respective brackets.
