York, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2023) - Alvernia University had six wrestlers advance to the Division III National Championship, and had eight individuals place, as the Golden Wolves took second place at the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional on Saturday at York College.

Matthew Lackman, Isaac Kassis, Jason Rezac, Avery Leonard, Chance Babb, Mauro Pellot-Vazquez will advance to the Division III National Championship in two weeks at Roanoke. 

Lackman, wrestling at 165 lbs, took first place in his weight class. Lackman dominated the field, recording three falls and a technical fall en route to take firsting place. On Saturday, Lackman won by technical fall in the semifinal with an 18-1 win over Averett's Anthony Taylor. He then first secured place with a fall in 2:46 against Washington and Lee's Harrison Kelly. This is Lackman's second straight year winning the regional and he will be making his second appearance at the National Championship.

Isaac Kassis, wrestling at 184 lbs, also took first place in his weight class. Kassis recorded one major decision and three decisions through the tournament. On Saturday, Kassis reached the finals with a 3-1 win over Stevens' Frank Medina. He then won the weight class with a 4-2 decision over Cameron Blizard of Washington and Lee. Kassis will also be making his second appearance at the National Championship.

Jason Rezac took second place at 157 lbs. Rezac finished the weekend with two major decisions and two decisions. Rezac reached the final with an 11-3 major decision over Washington and Lee's Ryan Luth. He then faced Stevens' Ryan Smith, but Smith defeated Rezac by a 6-3 decision. Rezac will be making his first National Championship appearance.

Avery Leonard took third place at 141 lbs. Leonard fell in his semifinal match to Josh Wilson of Greensboro by a 9-6 decision to move into the consolation semifinals. Leonard then defeated Ferrum's Levi Englman by an 8-1 decision. He then secured the third place finish with a 9-5 decision over Lycoming's Wiley Kahler. This will be Leonard's first National Championship appearance.

Chance Babb took third place at 149 lbs for the Golden Wolves. Babb lost in the quarterfinals on Friday to move into the consolation round. Babb wrestled back to the consolation semifinals on Saturday and moved into the third place match with a 6-3 decision over Kobin Karper of Lycoming College. Babb then punched his ticket to his first National Championship with a 5-2 decision over Thiel's Peyton Hearn.

Pellot-Vazquez took third place at 197 lbs to secure his second trip to the National Championship. Pellot-Vazquez was pinned in the semifinals to move into the consolation bracket. He won the consolation semi with a 4-1 decision over Gable Crebs, and then took third place with an 8-7 decision over Cameron Butka of Wilkes University.

Palmer Rodenhaber and Anthony Portillo took fourth place in their respective weight classes to pick up Alvernia's final two place winners. 

Alvernia finished second overall behind Stevens. The Golden Wolves will now send its six qualifiers to the Division III National Championship in Roanoke, Virginia on March 10 and 11th.