Five Mountain Hawks recognized as All-Americans by NWCA
4/17/2020 4:06:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Five members of the Lehigh wrestling program have been recognized as All-Americans by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. All-Americans in the sport of wrestling are usually determined by performance at the NCAA Championships, but with this year's tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NWCA recognized 160 wrestlers based on their overall body of work during the regular season and through the conference tournaments.
Lehigh had three first team All-Americans: senior Jordan Kutler (174), junior Brandon Paetzell (125) and sophomore Josh Humphreys (157). Junior heavyweight Jordan Wood was named to the second team, while junior Chris Weiler was an honorable mention selection at 184.
Kutler is recognized as an All-American for the third consecutive year after finishing sixth and seventh in his previous two NCAA Tournament appearances. He went 21-1 in 2019-20, winning his third consecutive EIWA championship at 174. Kutler was ranked in the top five nationally throughout the season and was the No. 3 seed at the NCAA Championships.
Paetzell dropped down to 125 prior to his junior season and was ranked in the top 10 for most of the year. He went 21-3 on the season and had a 14-bout winning streak snapped in the EIWA quarterfinals. Paetzell eventually rebounded for a third place EIWA finish and qualified for his second straight NCAA Championships, where he was to be seeded seventh.
Humphreys won his second consecutive EIWA title at 157 and earned the Coaches' Trophy as the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler after defeating top 10-ranked opponents in both the semifinals and finals. He posted a 19-5 record and won 14 of his final 15 bouts in 2019-20. Humphreys, who reached the round of 12 at the 2019 NCAA Championships, was seeded seventh in 2020.
An All-American in 2019 with a fourth place finish, Wood earned second team honors for the 2019-20 season, going 17-5 and winning his third consecutive EIWA title. Wood closed the season with a flourish, winning 14 of his final 15 bouts. He was slated to be the No. 9 seed at the NCAA Championships.
Weiler received honorable mention recognition after a 17-7 season competing full time at 184. He posted three wins over higher-ranked opponents in January and was the runner-up at 184 at the EIWA Championships. Weiler was the No. 13 seed entering the NCAA Championships.
Lehigh won its third straight EIWA team championship and league-leading 37th overall last month. The Mountain Hawks finished the dual meet season ranked 10th following a 12-3 dual campaign.
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Lehigh had three first team All-Americans: senior Jordan Kutler (174), junior Brandon Paetzell (125) and sophomore Josh Humphreys (157). Junior heavyweight Jordan Wood was named to the second team, while junior Chris Weiler was an honorable mention selection at 184.
Kutler is recognized as an All-American for the third consecutive year after finishing sixth and seventh in his previous two NCAA Tournament appearances. He went 21-1 in 2019-20, winning his third consecutive EIWA championship at 174. Kutler was ranked in the top five nationally throughout the season and was the No. 3 seed at the NCAA Championships.
Paetzell dropped down to 125 prior to his junior season and was ranked in the top 10 for most of the year. He went 21-3 on the season and had a 14-bout winning streak snapped in the EIWA quarterfinals. Paetzell eventually rebounded for a third place EIWA finish and qualified for his second straight NCAA Championships, where he was to be seeded seventh.
Humphreys won his second consecutive EIWA title at 157 and earned the Coaches' Trophy as the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler after defeating top 10-ranked opponents in both the semifinals and finals. He posted a 19-5 record and won 14 of his final 15 bouts in 2019-20. Humphreys, who reached the round of 12 at the 2019 NCAA Championships, was seeded seventh in 2020.
An All-American in 2019 with a fourth place finish, Wood earned second team honors for the 2019-20 season, going 17-5 and winning his third consecutive EIWA title. Wood closed the season with a flourish, winning 14 of his final 15 bouts. He was slated to be the No. 9 seed at the NCAA Championships.
Weiler received honorable mention recognition after a 17-7 season competing full time at 184. He posted three wins over higher-ranked opponents in January and was the runner-up at 184 at the EIWA Championships. Weiler was the No. 13 seed entering the NCAA Championships.
Lehigh won its third straight EIWA team championship and league-leading 37th overall last month. The Mountain Hawks finished the dual meet season ranked 10th following a 12-3 dual campaign.
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
157
/ Men's Wrestling
174
/ Men's Wrestling
125
/ Men's Wrestling
184
/ Men's Wrestling
285
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