Ferrum (WSLS-10 Sports)- The wrestlers from 19 teams across six states will converge on Franklin County for the NCAA division III East Regional starting tomorrow..
The nationally ranked Ferrum college wrestling program is the host for this weekend's festivities--to be held at nearby Franklin County high school.
The panthers are in their fourth year since the program restarted under coach Nate Yetzer. The Panthers have progressed by leaps and bounds.
They are currently 12th in nation in the Intermat rankings, having won nine titles in ten weight classes in their conference tournament.
Now they hope to improve on last year's 5th place regional finish, with the top three in each weight class this weekend advancing to the NCAA Division III national championships in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.
"You know the goal when I set out and started this program was to win a national title. Not only as an individual but as a team and obviously the first step is you get lots of All-Americans and I think this year we are poised to do that. It's just progression year to year. Next year I look for us to make another jump so that's just that's just the way it doesn't happen overnight, " explains Coach Yetzer.
"I personally love the fact that we're hosting regionals. It's almost like it's a home tournament or a home dual meet-- it's right in our backyard. I feel like we have a home-field advantage, I feel like a lot of us wrestle well when we're home," says Collin Saunders, who is currently ranked 10 in the nation at 149 pounds.
The action begins Friday at 9 am at Franklin County High School.