SUNY Oneonta junior James Bethel (Saugerties/Saugerties) and classmate Austin Sisco (Denville, NJ/Pope John Regional) competed in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships hosted by Wisconsin-La Crosse. Earning All-American honors for a second time was Bethel who finished in 5^th place overall at 285 pounds.

Bethel was seeded fourth in his bracket and his first matchup of the tournament came against Merchant Marine Academy's Victor Raigoza. Bethel easily defeated Raigoza by technical fall, 17-0. His next bout was against the No. 5 seed, Paul Triandafilou of Gettysburg where he won by decision 5-0 to advance into the semifinals.  This is where day 1 would end for Bethel, who would have to wait to get his shot at the No. 1 seed.

As the final day of the championships opened, the only thing standing between Bethel and a spot in the championship bout was Zachary Roseberry of Delaware Valley who was undefeated on the season. The two wrestlers went through the first period tied 0-0.  In the second period, Roseberry scored a takedown to go ahead 2-0.  Roseberry then scored an escape before Bethel registered an escape to make the score 3-1 late in the third period.  Bethel tried to attack as time was winding down, but Roseberry was able to hold him off for the final of 4-1.

Now in the consolation bracket, Bethel lost by major decision to Adarios Jones of Augsburg who was seeded sixth, which put him in the 5th place match.  In his final bout of the championships, he held on to defeat Donny Rolston of Wisconsin Stevens Point 8-6.

Sisco drew the No. 3 seed of the 133 lbs. bracket in his opening match.  Sisco dropped the match by technical fall, 17-1, which put him in the consolation bracket.  Sisco defeated Jared Braun of Elmhurst by pin in 2:51 to continue on to the second day.

Unfortunately, Sisco's season ended in his opening match today versus the No. 4 seed Ryan Flynn of York College by decision 9-4.