By Leanne Vastbinder, Staff Writer
The Jets recently capped off their season at the NCAA Division II Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, where two of their players received All-American honors for their tournament performance. Wrestlers Tyler Mies (157-pounds) and Kameron Frame (149-pounds) claimed 5th and 6th place at the championship, in their respective weight classes.
For senior Tyler Mies, it was his second trip to nationals, after placing 6th and receiving All-American honors the year before. Going into the tournament, Mies looked to continue his success and improve his placement from the previous year, despite any pressures on him from his success last season.
“I feel like pressure is kind of a made up thing. I was really calm and confident going into it….I don’t really think about what if. I was ready to go in and take what was mine.”
Mies got knocked into the consolation bracket in the quarterfinal round and ended up in a 5th/6th place match, where he beat a returning All-American to snag 5th place and earn All-American honors. In reflecting on the end of his wrestling career at Newman, Mies said, “I am very grateful for the support I have had throughout my career. Many people made many sacrifices for me to achieve what I did. God has been very good to me.”
For redshirt Freshman, Kameron Frame, his time at nationals was cut short by an unexpected injury. Frame had a perfect start to the tournament, upsetting the No. 2 ranked wrestler James Pleski in a second-period tie breaker to have a 2-0 record day one.
In recounting the match, Frame said, “I didn’t know much about him, I just went out there and wrestled.” After the upset, Frame moved on to the semifinal match where he suffered a pectoral tear 30 seconds into the match and was forced to withdraw from the tournament, finishing 6th.
Even though his title bid was cut short, his performance leading up the match secured him All-American honors alongside his teammate, Mies. Frame’s pectoral tear will require surgery and extensive rehab but he still plans to return next season. Frame looks forward to improving his finish next year and continuing his success on the mat.
“It’s a start but I gotta keep improving,” Frame said of his game.
Besides a national title, Frame looks forward to coming back and “having a closer bond with the team.”
PHOTO: SENIOR TYLER MIES placed 5th place and freshman Kameron Frame placed 6th, both in each of their weight classes. Courtesy photo, Newman Athletics
