EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Junior 184-pound wrestler Austin Gibson won four-consecutive matches and took third place at the NCAA Division II Super Regional I Tournament on Saturday (Feb. 25) at Koehler Fieldhouse in East Stroudsburg, Pa. With the third-place finish, Gibson earns an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division II National Championships held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from March 10-11.
 
"We are super excited for Austin and the program as a whole," said Fairmont State Wrestling Head Coach Gennaro Bonaventura. "Everyone battled hard all day and it was a great learning experience for us. We're just getting started."
 
Gibson began the day with a 6-1 decision win over Mercyhurst. He fell MD 15-6 versus Seton Hill and was placed in the left side of the bracket. Gibson won the next three matches and won over American International, Millersville and Gannon to earn a spot in the third-place match. Gibson completed his journey to the national tournament by defeating his opponent who knocked him off earlier in the tournament from Seton Hill. Gibson picked off his opponent with a fall at the 1:45 mark to clinch a spot in the national tournament.
 
Other notable finishers at the tournament included Nate Pelesky (133 lbs) and Colton Stoneking (149 lbs). Pelesky and Stoneking both placed at the Super Regional I Tournament. Pelesky took sixth place and defeated his opponent from East Stroudsburg by forfeit. Stoneking recorded wins versus ESU and Kutztown to take fifth place.
 
Kolton Parsons came out on top in a 5-3 decision in the opening round versus Seton Hill in the 157-pound bracket. He added a fall versus East Stroudsburg in the 5:39 mark.
 
"Last season we scored three points at this tournament," continued Bonaventura. "This year we are coming home with three regional placers and a national qualifier. We are excited for the future of the program."
 
Gibson will wrestle at the DII National Tournament which will start on March 10 from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.