Roanoke, Va. - March 10, 2023 - Springfield College's Chase Parrott (Stamford, Conn.) and Jacob Deguire (Schenectady, N.Y.) had quite the debut on the national stage as they advanced to the second day of the NCAA Division III Championships on Friday at the Berglund Center.
Wrestling in the national tournament for the first time in their careers, the duo each guaranteed themselves a spot on the podium, marking the first time since 2014 that Springfield College has had a wrestler earn All-America honors at the NCAA Championship and first time since 2013 that it had multiple student-athletes collect national honors.
After winning the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship at 157 pounds to earn a spot this year's national event, Deguire entered the event with a 32-5 record. He opened his tournament with a showdown of regional champions as he went up against Ryan Smith of Stevens, who won the NCAA Southeast Regional title, and the sophomore delivered his 25th pin of the season after putting Smith on his back in just 1:33. Deguire then went up against fourth-seeded Tyler Shilson from Augsburg and was upended by a 17-7 major decision to close out the morning session.
Beginning the evening session, Deguire squared off against Brandon Bowles from Muhlenberg College for the second time this season and avenged one of his five losses of the year with a pin in 1:55. With a spot on the podium on the line, Deguire needed only 2:12 to pin Jason Rezac of Alvernia as he brought his season total of 27, which is tied for the most in all of college wrestling with his teammate, Myles Leonard (Waldwick, N.J.).
Parrott put forth a gritty effort on Friday at 149 pounds as he will continue his wrestling career on Saturday. The senior, who began the weekend with a 26-3 record, opened up his tournament against sixth-seeded Javen Estrada from North Central and was topped by a 12-4 major decision. Heading into the evening session, Parrott regrouped and powered his way to a 6-1 triumph over Hai Sui of Averett and an escape early in the third quarter proved to be the difference as he knocked off fifth-seeded Kristian Rumph of Wartburg, 5-4, to ensure All-America honors.
Saturday's action will begin at 10 am, with Deguire set to take on Peter Kane from Williams and Parrott slated to go up against eighth-seeded Chase Sumner from Ohio Northern.
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Springfield "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
