TIFFIN, Ohio - The West Liberty University wrestling team claimed its third straight team title and qualified eight wrestlers for the national tournament Saturday at the NCAA Super Region 3 Championships hosted by Tiffin University.

Cole Laya (125) and Jacob Simpson (149) headlined the day battling to the top of their respective podiums. 

Seven Hilltoppers made the finals and nine competed in the semifinals. Vincent Scollo (133), Jamar Williams (157), Chase Morgan (174), Ty McGeary (184), and Francesco Borsellino (285) all finished second in their brackets. Alec Cook wrestled back to a third place finish at 165 to also earn a bid to the national tournament.

West Liberty totaled 137.5 team points finishing atop the 11-team leaderboard. Lake Erie (114.5), Findlay (104.0), Glenville State (103.5), and Tiffin (96.0) rounded out the top five.

Laya, ranked No. 2 nationally, won his fourth career and third consecutive super region title with a pair of falls in the quarter and semi finals, then a hard-fought 2-0 decision in the championship over No. 11 ranked Brandon Mendoza, of Tiffin, behind a second period escape and riding time advantage. Laya will be competing in his fifth national tournament and will attempt for a third straight gold medal. 

Simpson went 3-0 on the day to claim his first super region title. He dominated the quarterfinal round with a 17-0 tech fall, then earned his championship bid with a 4-2 decision. In the title bout, Simpson and Austin Fietz, of Lake Erie, were scoreless in the final period, but the Hilltopper prevailed with escape and ride time advantage points.

Scollo rolled into the semifinals after back-to-back 15-0 tech falls to start the day. He advanced to the championship match with a 3-0 decision extending his shutout streak. In a rematch of nationally ranked opponents from the MEC Championships, No. 9 Gavin Quiocho, of Glenville State, came out with a 3-1 win this time in the title bout over No. 5 Scollo. Scollo will be competing in his second straight national tournament, first as a Hilltopper.

Williams medical forfeited the championship match after a 9-3 decision in the quarterfinals and an overtime victory in the semis. Williams, ranked No. 5 nationally, will be in his second national tournament, first as a Hilltopper.

Chase Morgan pinned his quarterfinal opponent, then advanced to the championship with a thrilling 5-4 decision. He was on the reverse side of a close battle in the title match, falling 4-3. Morgan will compete in his third straight national tournament.

McGeary rolled into the championship with three straight pins, all in 2:37 or less with a 59 second fall in the opening match. No. 4 ranked Daniel Beemer, of Ashland, edged out the No. 2 ranked McGeary 3-1 for first place. McGeary has now qualified for the national tournament three straight years.

Borsellino started the day with a pin before taking on two nationally ranked opponents. No. 5 Borsellino downed No. 12 Laron Parks, of Notre Dame, with a 4-0 shutout in the semifinals, but was defeated by MEC Champion and No. 3 ranked Jared Campbell, of Glenville State, 8-5 in the championship. Borsellino returns to the national tournament for the third consecutive season.

Cook battled his way to his first national tournament bid of his career. A sudden victory match did not go in favor of Cook in the semifinals, but he came right back with a pair of decisions, 8-4 and 4-2, to clinch his nationals berth. Cook moved into the semis with a dominating 18-0 tech fall at the beginning of his day.

Khyvon Grace came up just short of nationals, falling in the third place match by a 5-2 decision, at 141. Grace went 3-2 on the day picking up a tech fall and 5-0 decision in his first two matches. After dropping a decision in the semifinals, he bounced back with a pin to advance to the third-place bout. Grace finishes his impressive freshman season with a 30-9 record.

Chance Morgan was ousted in two matches at 197.

The eight national qualifiers will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the NCAA DII National Championships on March 10 and 11.

Follow Hilltopper wrestling all season online at HilltopperSports.com as well as on Twitter (@wlu_wrestling | @wlathletics), Instagram (@wlu_wrestling | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.

Post-Tournament Interview with Head Coach Danny Irwin