WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Indianapolis wrestling team currently sits in ninth place at the NCAA Championships, with the trio of Owen Zablocki at 157, Trey Sizemore at 174 and Derek Blubaugh at 197 all earning All-American status after the first day of wrestling.
 
Before session two, Jackson Hoover was honored as the Elite 90 Award winner. The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships. Hoover earns his honor after a carrying a 4.0 GPA while studying biology.
 
 
Both Owen Butler (184) and Hoover (149) saw action on day one but did not advance to the second day of wrestling.
 
INS & OUTS
Zablocki started his day dropping his first matchup to the No. 4-ranked wrestler at 157 in Devin Bahr of Northern State. The loss didn't discourage Zablocki, as he rattled back-to-back wins in the consolation bracket to earn himself a spot in Sunday's festivities.
 
For Blubaugh and Sizemore, day one was perfect. Blubaugh, entering as the No. 2-seed, proved that right as he scored a tech fall over Limestone's Jack Trautman III He parlayed that into a 9-4 win over Augusta's Max Ramberg, earning himself a spot in the semifinals.
 
 
Sizemore was truly dominant in both of his victories, winning a combined total of 13 points, snagging a 12-5 decision and a 12-6 decision.
 
Hoover, the lowest seed of all the Greyhounds, started in the prelims, dropping his first match by major decision. A tight battle in his second prelim match with Gannon's James Ryan saw Hoover's season end via sudden victory in overtime.
 
For Butler, a national qualifier at both 174 and 184 now in his career, he suffered a tough draw in the first round, losing to No. 3 Matt Weinberg of Kutztown by tech fall. His path didn't get easier in the consolations as he faced the No. 6-ranked 184-pounder. Butler battled but eventually suffered a loss by fall to wrap up his season.
 
UP NEXT
Blubaugh and Sizemore will continue their journey for NCAA Championship glory while Zablocki will battle through the consolation bracket. Action is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET with the semifinals and the seventh, fifth, and third-place matches.