Saturday, March 23
Kansas City, Mo.
11:00 AM

Lehigh University

at

NCAA Championships

Ryan Crookham 5213
Photo by: Matt Hawley

Lehigh's Three All-Americans Finish Up Action In Kansas City

3/23/2024 1:52:00 PM | Men's Wrestling

KANSAS CITY – Lehigh's three All-Americans wrapped up action at the NCAA Championships with Saturday's medal round at T-Mobile Center. First-year Ryan Crookham led the way, winning both of his bouts on Saturday to claim third place at 133 pounds. True first-year Luke Stanich went 1-1 to claim fifth place at 125 and junior Michael Beard dropped his lone bout to finish in eighth place at 197.
 
The Mountain Hawks scored 36.5 points in the three-day tournament and finished in 15th place in the team standings.
 
Crookham began his day with a 4-1 decision over Iowa State's Evan Frost in the consolation semifinals, thanks to a first period takedown. In the third place bout, Crookham had a rematch with Nasir Bailey of Little Rock, who he defeated in Friday's semifinals. A second period escape and subsequent takedown gave Crookham a 4-0 lead after two periods. Bailey scored a takedown in the final seconds, but Crookham held on for a 4-3 decision. Crookham completes his first year of eligibility with a 23-1 record.
 
Stanich's day began with a 9-1 loss to Eric Barnett of Wisconsin, but he bounced back with a 5-1 win over Nebraska's Caleb Smith to place fifth. Trailing 1-0 in the second period, Stanich scored a takedown and rode out the remainder of the period. A third period escape and riding time helped Stanich avenge his round of 16 defeat from Thursday night. Stanich concludes his first year with a 25-4 record.
 
Beard finished in eighth place to complete his first podium finish for the Mountain Hawks. He dropped a 10-3 decision to Stephen Little of Little Rock in the seventh place match, with Little scoring a pair of takedowns in the second period and one in the third. Beard went 29-4 in his junior season and tied Lehigh's single season record with 27 bonus point victories.
 
Penn State wrapped up its third consecutive team title during Friday's evening session and secured the tournament scoring record with 172.5 points. 
 
Lehigh is expected to return seven of its eight NCAA qualifiers, only losing Jake Logan to graduation.
 
The 2023-24 Lehigh wrestling season is presented by the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
 
125 – No. 2 Luke Stanich – 5th place
Rd. of 32: major dec. No. 31 Tyler Klinsky (Rider) 11-2
Rd. of 16: L by dec. No. 15 Caleb Smith (Nebraska) 4-1, sv
Second round consolation: dec. No. 16 Dean Peterson (Rutgers) 8-1
Third round consolation: dec. No. 7 Jakob Camacho (NC State) 4-1
Fourth round consolation: dec. No. 4 Matt Ramos (Purdue) 4-0
Consolation quarterfinal: major dec. No. 5 Jore Volk (Wyoming) 9-0
Consolation semifinal: L by major dec. No. 10 Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) 9-1
Fifth place match: dec. No. 15 Caleb Smith (Nebraska) 5-1
 
133 – No. 2 Ryan Crookham – 3rd place
Rd. of 32: dec. No. 31 Maximillian Leete (American) 4-3
Rd. of 16: dec. No. 15 Brody Teske (Iowa) 8-3
Quarterfinal: dec. No. 7 Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) 4-2
Semifinal: L by major dec. No. 6 Vito Arujau (Cornell) 13-3
Consolation semifinal: dec. No. 8 Evan Frost (Iowa State) 4-1
Third place match: dec. No. 7 Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) 4-3
 
197 – No. 4 Michael Beard – 8th place
Rd. of 32: tech fall No. 29 Justin Rademacher (Oregon State) 26-10, 4:02
Rd. of 16: major dec. No. 20 Evan Bockman (Utah Valley) 12-3
Quarterfinal: L by dec. No. 12 Rocky Elam (Missouri) 8-2
Fourth round consolation: major dec. No. 26 Andy Smith (Virginia Tech) 8-0
Consolation quarterfinal: L by major dec. No. 8 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) 12-1
Seventh place match: L by dec. No. 9 Stephen Little (Little Rock) 10-3
 
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