Roanoke, Va.—Rhode Island College senior
Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.) defeated his brother, Alvernia junior
Matt Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.), 3-1, in sudden victory to win the individual national championship at 165 lbs. at the 2023 NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championship on Saturday evening.
• Nathan, who was the No. 1 seed, and Matt, the No. 2 seed, at 165 lbs. each came into the finals having won their previous three matches at the tournament.
• After a scoreless first period, Matt notched an escape 10 seconds into the second stanza. Nathan answered back 46 seconds into the third period to knot the bout at 1-1.
• The match headed into overtime and Nathan struck for a takedown 50 seconds in to win an individual national title and earn All-American honors for the second consecutive season. He was the NCAA Div. III National Champion at 157 lbs. as a junior in 2021-22.
• Lackman wraps up the 2022-23 season with a 39-3 overall record. He has not lost a match, given up a takedown, reversal or back points to a Div. III opponent since the 2020-21 campaign.
• In his first bout of the tourney, the No. 1-seeded Lackman defeated North Central's
Cole Cervantes with an 8-0 major decision.
It marked his 100th career victory.
• Lackman then defeated No. 8-seeded
Luke Reicosky from John Carroll, 8-2.
• He bested No. 5-seeded
Nicolas Sacco from TCNJ, 7-3, in the semifinals to reach the final for the second straight year.
HEAD COACH JAY JONES ON NATHAN LACKMAN'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
"It was a crazy rollercoaster of emotions from the point where both won in the semifinals, to the match itself, and then the post-match. Just when a coach thinks he's seen it all after 24 years, I am most proud of the display of respect and love Nate showed to his brother both before and afterward. They are both class acts. It is amazing that both young men finished undefeated in Div. III and wrestled through regulation still tied. This demonstrates how close and how incredible these two brothers are. Obviously, we are so proud of Nate being Rhode Island College's first two-time National Champion, as he is only the second-ever coming out of New England and also so excited for Matt to have two years left to accomplish his goals. I know the parents are so proud of both of them, and all involved with them are blessed."
