BLUEFIELD, Va. (Feb. 12. 2021) – Ian James and Hans Evatt led the way for the Truett McConnell University wrestling team on Friday at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships, which was hosted by Bluefield College. The Bears finished runner-up with 151 team points behind No. 4 Reinhardt University with 188 points.
 
Most notable, four Bears earned their ticket to the NAIA National Championships: James at 174, Evatt at 184, No. 18 Geowel Silvestre at 141 and No. 19 Ethan Powell at 285.
 
"Our motto this season as a team has been 'excellence in all things,'" Head Coach Patrick James said. "Our guys have trusted the process we have put them through as coaches this year, and while we didn't get the team championship we came for, there is not a single guy that hasn't gotten better. That's what happens when you wrestle with the purpose of glorifying God in all things, regardless of wins and losses.
 
I couldn't be prouder of these guys and look forward to continuing seeing the culture of TMU wrestling grow around bringing glory to God and striving for excellence in all we do."
 
Six Bears wrestled their way into the finals, including James who was named AAC champion at 174, who won by a pin, and Evatt who was named AAC champion at 184, who won by a decision. Junior Brandon Navixay (125), sophomore Mitchell Thompson (165), senior Dalton Hardeman (197) and No. 19 Powell (285) all claimed runner-up finishes behind Reinhardt opponents.
 
TMU also had three third place finishers; Ethan Frye (125), No. 18 G. Silvestre (141) and Nolan Cook (184).
 
See full results here.