Roanoke Va. (March 11, 2023) - Alvernia University junior wrestler Matthew Lackman lost by sudden decision, 3-1 in overtime of the 165 pound national championship against Nathan Lackman of Rhode Island College on Saturday evening at the NCAA Division III National Championship in Roanoke, Virginia.

With his runner-up finish, Lackman became the highest finisher across any sport for Alvernia Athletics. Lackman also became the 25th wrestler from a MAC school to finish runner-up at the DIII National Wrestling Championships. 

Lackman started his day in the semifinal of the 165 pound weight class against the third seeded Noah Leisgang of Wisconsin La-Crosse, which saw Lackman win by a 5-2 decision. After a scoreless first period, Lackman chose bottom and 45 seconds into the second round he reversed Leisgang and then scored two more points on a nearfall to take a 4-0 lead after two periods. Leisgang scored two points in the first 15 seconds of the final period, but Lackman held strong and saw out the final minute and 45 seconds of the match to secure his spot in the 165 pound title bout. 

Lackman then had to wait until the evening session to fight for the national title, going against his brother, Nathan Lackman, of Rhode Island College. Nathan was a 2022 National Champion at 157 pounds last year.

The first period saw both brothers feeling the other out, but saw no points scored. Matthew scored the first point of the bout in the first ten seconds of the second period when he tallied an escape to put him up 1-0. Nathan answered with his own escape in the final period to knot the match at one with just over 45 seconds left in regulation. Neither brother could score a point in the final seconds of the third period, and Matthew's riding time was just short, as the title bout went into overtime. The overtime period saw Nathan score a takedown just over one minute into the overtime period, securing the sudden death two points and a  3-1 victory for his second national title. 

Matthew finishes the season with a 35-1 record and is the first national finalist in Alvernia wrestling history. Matthew picked up All-American honors on Friday evening to lead Alvernia's showing at this year's championship, just the second national championship appearance in the program's young history.