2011-12 UNCP Wrestling News

June 6, 2012
Nolan Named To Capital One Academic All-America Squad
Senior Shane Nolan captured a first for the UNCP wrestling program on Wednesday as the Girard, Pa., native was among 45 student-athletes named to the Capital One Academic All-America Division II Men’s At-Large Team, the organization announced.

May 18, 2012
Nolan Named To CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District Team
Shane Nolan added another line to his collegiate resume on Friday morning as the senior was among a dozen student-athletes selected as part of the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District 3 Men’s At-Large Team.

May 12, 2012
Nolan Named To NWCA All-Academic Team
Shane Nolan added another impressive notch to his collegiate resume on Saturday afternoon as the senior was among 166 student-athletes named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team, the organization announced.

March 12, 2012
Wrestling’s Mike Williams Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
Days removed from capturing UNCP’s first national championship of any kind in 30 years, as well as the first-ever national championship in the sport of wrestling, redshirt junior Mike Williams has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

March 10, 2012
Williams Captures National Championship, Ownbey Third, Nolan Sixth
All-American Mike Williams completed an unblemished two-day run through the 165-pound tournament with a 5-2 decision in the national championship match with fourth-ranked Mason True of Findlay to vault UNCP into the top-10 of the team standings on Saturday evening.

March 9, 2012
UNCP Trio Begins National Championship Quest On Friday
Shane Nolan, Daniel Ownbey and Mike Williams will begin their quest for UNCP’s first wrestling national championship on Friday when the trio opens up wrestling action at the NCAA Division II National Championships inside the Massari Arena in Pueblo, Colo.

March 9, 2012
UNCP Trio Moves Through To Saturday, Clinches All-America Honors
Mike Williams clinched his third-straight all-American honors, while Shane Nolan and Daniel Ownbey each clinched their first, as all three wrestlers moved into Saturday’s wrestling action at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at Massari Arena in Pueblo, Colo.

February 28, 2012
Wrestling’s Mike Williams Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
On the heels of capturing his third-straight NCAA Super Region I title with an unblemished run through the 165-pound tournament on Friday and Saturday, junior Mike Williams has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

February 28, 2012
UNCP Trio Totes National Rankings Into NCAA Championship Event
Daniel Ownbey checked into the national rankings for the first time, Mike Williams jumped one spot and Shane Nolan stayed put in the 197-pound listing with the release of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings on Tuesday evening.

February 27, 2012
Brackets Announced For NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
The 10 championship brackets for the 2012 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, March 9-10, at Massari Arena in Pueblo, Colo., have been announced. A total of 160 wrestlers, including three from UNCP, will continue their dream for a national title at the prestigious event.

February 25, 2012
Ownbey, Williams, Nolan Qualify For NCAA Championships
All-American Mike Williams, freshman Daniel Ownbey and senior Shane Nolan each punched their tickets to the NCAA Division II National Championships, March 9-10, in Pueblo, Colo., on Saturday to highlight action for UNCP at the NCAA Super Region I Tournament in Pembroke.

February 24, 2012
UNCP To Host NCAA Super Region I Wrestling Tournament This Weekend
Six nationally-ranked teams and 130 of the east region’s top wrestlers will converge on Pembroke this weekend as UNC Pembroke gets set to host the NCAA Super Region I Wrestling Tournament inside the English E. Jones Center.

February 24, 2012
Braves 10th After Opening Session Of NCAA Super Region I Tournament
Daniel Ownbey, Mike Williams and Shane Nolan each registered a pair of wins to punch their tickets to Saturday’s semifinals and highlight day one action for the 19th-ranked UNCP wrestling team at the NCAA Super Region I Tournament on Friday evening in the English E. Jones Center.

February 10, 2012
No. 17 Braves Fall At No. 13 Limestone
Host and 13th-ranked Limestone staked claim to an early 11-0 lead on the team scoreboard, but needed key victories at 184 and 197 pounds to turn back upset-minded and 19th-ranked UNCP, 21-19, in the season finale for both teams on Friday evening inside the Timken Center.

February 8, 2012
Wrestling’s James De La Riva Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
Having put the caps on his first career tournament win with an unblemished run through the Newberry Open on Saturday, junior James De La Riva has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week, athletic department officials announced Monday.

February 7, 2012
Braves To Battle No. 2 Newberry On Senior Night
Riding a wave of success that has seen it register wins in four of its last five outings, the 17th-ranked UNCP wrestling team will host second-ranked Newberry in a 7 p.m. dual meet on Tuesday evening in the English E. Jones Center. Admission is free.

February 7, 2012
No. 17 Braves Fall To No. 2 Newberry In Home Finale
Visiting and second-ranked Newberry grabbed wins in each of the first five matches of the night to stake claim to an insurmountable lead, but 17th-ranked UNCP won three of the final five bouts of the night to make things interesting in a 33-9 setback for the Braves on Tuesday.

February 4, 2012
De La Riva, Four Others Grab Place-Winner Laurels At Newberry Open
James De La Riva toughed out a 3-2 win over teammate Chris Giddens in the championship bout of the 285-pound tournament to clinch his first career tournament championship and highlight action for 17th-ranked UNCP at the Newberry Open on Saturday afternoon.

February 3, 2012
No. 17 Braves Retain Belt, Throttle Anderson
Visiting and 17th-ranked UNCP dug itself an early hole by forfeiting each of the first two bouts of the night, but the Braves rebounded seven wins in the eight remaining matchups to post a 37-15 win at Anderson on Friday evening.

January 26, 2012
Braves 5th In Latest Basford Division II Region Rankings
On the strength of solid competition in the month of January, the UNCP wrestling team climbed one spot to fifth in the latest Basford NCAA Super Region I rankings, while eight individuals are listed in the top-8 of their respective weight classes.

January 25, 2012
Wrestlers Welcome St. Andrews On Wednesday
The 17th-ranked UNCP wrestling team will make its first home appearance in nearly two months on Wednesday when it welcomes local rival St. Andrews to the English E. Jones Center for a 7 p.m. dual meet. Admission is free.

January 25, 2012
No. 17 Braves Make Short Work Of Visiting St. Andrews
UNCP conceded the opening match of the night to dig itself an early deficit, but the 17th-ranked Braves left little doubt the remainder of the night by tallying 34 takedowns and four near falls in a 35-6 rout of visiting St. Andrews on Wednesday evening in the English E. Jones Center.

January 23, 2012
Wrestling’s Daniel Ownbey Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
Having played a pivotal role in leading the UNCP wrestling team to a 2-2 record at the Super Region I Duals over the weekend, including a key upset of No. 14 West Liberty, newcomer Daniel Ownbey has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

January 23, 2012
Braves Climb One Spot To 9th In NCAA Super Region I Rankings
UNCP split four dual meets over the weekend to move up one spot in the NCAA Super Region I rankings, while three individuals made their season debut in the weekly listing by the region’s head coaches.

January 21, 2012
No. 17 Braves Rout No. 14 West Liberty, Fall To No. 10 Pitt-Johnstown
No. 17 UNCP was firing on all cylinders en route to a 33-12 throttling of No. 14 West Liberty in its Saturday opener, but fell to host- and 10th-ranked Pitt-Johnstown, 28-11, on the second and final day of the Super Region I Duals inside UPJ’s Sports Center on Saturday afternoon.

January 20, 2012
No. 17 UNCP Splits On Day One Of Super Region I Duals
UNCP rebounded from a tough loss to Shippensburg in its weekend opener with a convincing victory over Seton Hill in the nightcap to help the Braves book a 1-1 record after day one of the Super Region I Duals inside Pitt-Johnstown’s Sports Center on Friday evening.

January 17, 2012
20 Questions With Wrestling's Shane Nolan
UNCPBraves.com sat down with senior wrestler Shane Nolan to learn of his opinion on a variety of topics ranging from the most famous person he has ever met to how he wants to be remembered when he leaves Pembroke.

January 10, 2012
Braves, St. Andrews Wrestling Match Rescheduled
Thursday’s regularly scheduled wrestling dual meet between No. 17 UNCP and St. Andrews has been rescheduled. The match will now be contested on January 25 at 7 p.m. inside the English E. Jones Center.

January 2, 2012
Wrestling’s Mike Williams Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
After registering an unblemished run through the 165-pound tournament in leading UNCP to a sixth place finish at the Citrus Invitational on Friday, Mike Williams has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

December 31, 2011
Braves Climb One Spot In Basford Division II Wrestling Rankings
Coming off strong showings at both the Midwest Classic and the Citrus Invitational, the UNCP wrestling team climbed one spot to No. 17 in the latest Basford NCAA Division II College Wrestling Rankings.

December 30, 2011
Williams Captures Title At Citrus Invitational, Braves Sixth
All-American Mike Williams posted an 8-0 major decision in the championship match of the 165-pound tournament en route to Robert Del Rosa Most Outstanding Wrestler honors to highlight action for UNCP at the Citrus Invitational on Friday in southeast Florida.

December 29, 2011
Williams, De La Riva Move Through To Semifinals At Citrus Invitational
Mike Williams and James De La Riva each booked a pair of wins to move through to Friday’s semifinal round, while seven other Braves will look to wrestle back through the consolation bracket, as UNCP turned in an impressive showing on day one of the Citrus Invitational.

December 19, 2011
Williams Captures Title At Midwest Classic, Braves 10th
All-American Mike Williams booked his second tournament title of the season, Shane Nolan finished fourth and Brendon Parker-Risk grabbed a fifth place laurel to highlight action for UNCP at the 33rd Annual Midwest Classic.

December 18, 2011
Braves 10th After Day One Of Midwest Classic
Mike Williams and Shane Nolan each punched their way to Monday’s action with close decisions in the quarterfinal round to help key UNCP to 42.0 team points and a 10th place standing after day one of the 33rd Annual Midwest Classic.

December 12, 2011
20 Questions With Wrestling's Mike Williams
UNCPBraves.com sat down with junior wrestler Mike Williams to learn of his opinion on a variety of topics ranging from his dream job to how he wants to be remembered when he leaves Pembroke.

December 12, 2011
Wrestling’s Shane Nolan Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
After registering a trio of individual victories en route to pacing the UNCP wrestling team to a respectable showing at the Newberry Duals on Saturday, senior Shane Nolan has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

December 10, 2011
Braves Tally 1-2 Record At Newberry Duals
Shane Nolan, Brendon Parker-Risk and Mike Williams each exited the day unscathed on the mat, but UNCP booked a 1-2 day on the mat as a team on Saturday afternoon at the Newberry Duals in Newberry’s Eleazer Arena.

December 8, 2011
Williams, Nolan In Latest National Rankings
Mike Williams held tight at No. 3 in the latest 165-pound rankings, while Shane Nolan made his debut in the 197-pound listing at No. 8 with the release of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Poll on Thursday morning by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association.

December 6, 2011
Wrestling’s Kristoff Thomas Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
After posting seven wins last week, including an incredulous third place run through the 149-pound tournament at the Davidson Open on Saturday, freshman Kristoff Thomas has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

December 3, 2011
Williams Wins Title At Davidson Open, Bryant Second
All-American Mike Williams capped off an unblemished day with an 8-1 decision over Davidson’s Tyler Mullen in the championship bout of the 165-pound tournament to highlight action for UNCP on Saturday afternoon at the Davidson Open.

November 30, 2011
Johnson Wins Dual Opener As Braves Breeze Past Belmont Abbey
UNCP booked 20 takedowns and six near falls in its dual meet opener, but ultimately used the strength of four pins to slice through visiting Belmont Abbey and hand head coach Othello “O.T.” Johnson a win in his dual meet coaching debut with a 47-6 rout of the Crusaders on Wednesday evening.

November 30, 2011
Braves Open Dual Season Wednesday Against Belmont Abbey
Having already secured phenomenal outings at any of a trio of tournaments to begin the campaign, the 18th-ranked UNCP wrestling team will open the dual meet portion of its 2011-12 schedule on Wednesday when the Braves battle Belmont Abbey in the English E. Jones Center.

November 22, 2011
Wrestling’s Brendon Parker-Risk Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week
After highlighting action for the UNCP wrestling team with an unblemished run through the 157-pound tournament at the 31st Annual Pembroke Classic on Saturday, junior Brendon Parker-Risk has been named this week’s UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week.

November 19, 2011
Wrestlers To Host 31st Annual Pembroke Classic On Saturday
Having performed admirably in each of the first two events of the 2011-12 campaign, the 18th-ranked UNCP wrestlers will lift the lid on their 2011-12 home schedule this weekend as they suit up to host the 31st annual Pembroke Classic on Saturday.

November 19, 2011
Braves Place Six At 31st Annual Pembroke Classic
Brendon Parker-Risk completed an unblemished run through the 157-pound tournament with a third-period pin of N.C. State’s Colton Palmer in the championship bout and headlined a list of six place-winners for the Braves at the 31st Annual Pembroke Classic.

November 13, 2011
Nolan Grabs Runner-Up Honors At Wolfpack Open
Senior Shane Nolan breezed through three matches before dropping a tough 5-3 decision to Virginia Tech’s Nick Vetterlein in the title bout of the 197-pound tournament capture second place laurels and highlight action for UNCP on Sunday at the N.C. State-hosted Wolfpack Open.

November 6, 2011
Ownbey, Giddens Grab Third Place Laurels At The Citadel Open
Daniel Ownbey and Chris Giddens each rebounded from tough losses in championship bracket action with unblemished runs through the consolation bracket, grabbing third place honors and highlighting action for UNCP at The Citadel Open.

October 26, 2011
Braves Check In At No. 18 In NCAA Wrestling Preseason Poll
Coming off one of its best seasons in program history, the UNCP wrestling team has been properly recognized as the Braves checked in at No. 18 in the preseason top 20 poll released on Wednesday morning by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association.

October 11, 2011
Blood Sport A Big Success For UNCP Wrestling Team
The UNCP wrestling team, in association with representatives from Student Health and the American Red Cross, made its annual Blood Sport event a success once again, this time collecting more than 145 units of blood at the University Center.

September 22, 2011
UNCP Wrestling And Student Health To Host Blood Drive
The UNCP wrestling team and UNCP Student Health will be co-sponsoring a blood drive on Wednesday, September 28, in the Chavis Student Center on the campus of UNC Pembroke from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

September 12, 2011
UNCP Wrestling To Host Open Tryouts
UNC Pembroke and wrestling head coach Othello Johnson will be holding an open tryout for the 2011-2012 wrestling team, September 13-15, in the UNCP wrestling room.