(CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa) – Quakers sophomore Thane McCoy represented Wilmington College at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships today at the Alliant Energy Power House in Iowa. He was the first national qualifier for the Quakers since the return of the wrestling program ahead of the 2018-19 season.

He competed in the 157-pound bracket, where he finished 1-2. He started off the championships against a three-time All-American in Ryan Smith from Stevens Institute of Technology. McCoy got ahead 3-0 after a quick takedown, but Smith controlled the match from there on and came away with a 15-4 major decision win.

Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, McCoy battled Paul Lichter from St. John Fisher University. He used three takedowns in the first period and never looked back in a dominant 14-2 major decision victory.

In his final match, he had a back-and-forth affair with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Joe Penchi. He fell behind 5-1 after the first period but tied it late in the second period with an escape and takedown. However, an escape at the end of the second gave Penchi a crucial 6-5 lead heading into the final two minutes of action. Penchi used an escape and takedown for a 10-5 lead in the third. McCoy picked up four late points to make it interesting, but an escape gave Penchi the 11-9 win to eliminate McCoy.

What's Up Next
Thane McCoy finishes a fantastic season with a 32-5 overall record and will look to make it back to nationals with two more seasons left as a Quaker.

The team will begin their 2026-27 season in the winter.