1. This year, W&J will be sending at least two if its wrestlers, Sonnieboy Blanco (class of 2017) and Jacob Spearman
(class of 2016), to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Champions for the fourth year in a row after both placing third
in the Mideast Regional. As a team, W&J earned 37 points,15.50 coming from Spearman and 12.50 coming from
Blanco, and placed 12th overall out of 18 teams.
Wrestling Head Coach Thomas Prairie is proud of Blanco and Spearman’s tenacity and determination to make it to
the NCAAs.
“Sonnieboy has had a great year and is currently 28-2. He lost by 1 point last year in his match to qualify for
NCAAs and he spent the last 365 days trying to right that wrong. It will be his first trip to NCAAs and we expect
him to be an All American,” said Prairie. “This is Spearman’s third trip to NCAAs. He has lost twice in the All
American Round and is eager to get back. He is better focused and wrestling at a higher level than he ever has in his
career. We expect him to make a run at the National Title this year.”
Despite previous setbacks in their wrestling careers, Prairie is sure that Blanco and Spearman will come out of the
Championships in good standing.
“Both Spearman and Blanco are offensive wrestlers that like to score points and that is the way you need to wrestle
if you want to be an All American. I am confident that when they leave Cedar Rapids they will both be All
Americans,” said Prairie.
Spearman aims to be on top of the podium during the NCAAs and to finish out his senioryear without any regrets.
“Making it to nationals feels rewarding, especially after all the hard work and time I have invested into living the
lifestyle and doing all the right things to get to this point,” said Spearman. “The main goal is to be on top of the
podium next weekend, and being my last season,I am just trying to soak up every moment and enjoy the ride with
no regrets looking back.”
While Blanco is excited for this opportunity to showhis hard work, he also knows that this is just his start.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity I have been given to participate in the NCAAs and to be able to represent W&J
College at Nationals. However, this is just the beginning for me,” said Blanco.
If you would like to watch Blanco and Spearman compete, the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships will
take place Mar 11-12 in Cedar Rapids, OH.