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The SCC men’s and women’s wrestling teams capped off successful seasons with yet another record performance at the NJCAA Wrestling National Championships in Council Bluffs on March 5-6. Four wrestlers earned national titles, and the women’s team finished as national runners-up to mark the best finish in the program’s short history.

Terry Pack, head coach of the men’s team, led his team to a record fourth-place finish in just the third year as a program.

“I think the plan was to come in and try to put out a product that not only graduated kids, but won national titles,” Pack said. “Last year, both teams were in the top five, and the year before both teams were top 10. So, I think we’re getting to where we need to be.”

When Keith Smith became the program’s first two-time national champion this year, it meant a lot to Pack.

“I think it shows kids that everything is possible,” Pack said. “Keith came in, he had some academic issues and it took him a while to get his stuff together, and here he is winning two national titles.”

Smith wrestled Shehabeldin Mohamed from Indian Hills for his title. He recorded a takedown in the first period and never looked back, winning 5-0 to claim the 157-pound title.

“Coach Pack has had a huge impact on my growth and development,” Smith said. “He’s a great coach, I like the way he coaches. I had a good two years with him.”

The men’s team had six All-Americans, with nine wrestlers making the quarterfinals. Ayson Rice advanced to the semifinals in the 149-pound class, Victor Lamar also made the semifinals in the 197-pound class, and Ira Jenkins made the finals in heavyweight.

The women’s team saw a thrilling end to their season as well, with three wrestlers being crowned national champions.

Freshman wrestlers Emma Albanese and Billie Bonwell both fought their way to championship matches, Albanese at 117 pounds and Bonwell at 160.

“I definitely feel like the tournaments that we did leading up to this prepared us mentally and physically,” Albanese said after making it to the quarterfinals. “I feel like there’s a lot of pressure because I’m a freshman. I have an expectation to win.”

That expectation was rewarded with a 61-second victory in the championship after outscoring Laila Mirza of Carl Albert State 13-2.

Bonwell’s match came down to the final moments. She earned two points as time expired to defeat Murray State’s Gabby Akers 4-3 and claim the Bobcats’ second individual women’s title of the tournament.

Martha Hinneh, a sophomore, stepped into a leadership role for the young squad after winning a national title last year.

“I really had to step up,” Hinneh said. “I’m sort of a loner, but I know that I am a national champion and I have to take that captain role to make sure all of them are prepared. But they made it easy for me, they’re a great bunch of wrestlers, I’m proud of each and every one of them.”

Hinneh became the first female wrestler from SCC to win back-to-back national championships when she defeated Iowa Western’s Audre Herron in the final bout 3-1.

Fifteen Bobcat women qualified for the national championships, and 11 were named All-Americans.

After a historic season that saw program records broken, women’s wrestling Head Coach Jake Hamilton was recognized as NJCAA Coach of the Year.

“At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be here without their hard work, discipline and dedication,” Hamilton said. “This one goes to them, not me.”

Damon Bennett
Activities Information Director
402-437-2077
dbennett@southeast.edu