LA CROSSE, Wisc. -- Senior Dylan Waller became the 22nd All-American in Elizabethtown College wrestling program history this past weekend at the NCAA Div. III Championships at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Waller finished sixth at 285.

In his opening round matchup against unseeded Mitch Williamson of Wartburg, both wrestlers weren't too keen on making the first move through three periods and found themselves in overtime. Waller was unable to break Williamson's ride and then elected to defer to neutral to give Williamson a one-point edge with 30 seconds to make something happen. With seconds left, Waller was given the takedown as both wrestlers sailed out of the circle. A challenge was given and the ruling was confirmed that Waller got the takedown legally inbounds as he'd wind up winning 4-3 for his first career NCAA victory in his first appearance.

The win put Waller, the eight-seed, up against top-seeded Carl DiGiorgio of Coast Guard. DiGiorgio was able to get Waller on his back, but in a continuous motion, Waller reversed the momentum and got the sophomore on his back and at 1:53 of the first period, secured the pinfall and his All-America status to advance to the semifinals.

Waller would drop a 4-2 decision in the semifinal and then a 6-4 decision in the consi semifinal to wrestle for 5th against Ferrum's Rayshawn Dixon. It was another overtime match for Waller, only this time Dixon would prevail and Waller would end up as the sixth-place finisher at 285. He is the first All-American since Joseph Ghione in 2018 and is the highest-placing heavyweight at nationals for Elizabethtown in program history. Jeremy Rieth was 8th in 2013.

Brian Schneider won his opening round match in a close 10-9 decision over Nicholas Roeger of Castleton. He'd suffer a close 2-0 loss by decision in the quarterfinal and would fall to Tristan Massie, his opening opponent at last year's NCAA Tournament, by major decision.

Ganon Smith wrestled Xavier Preston to start and beat the Roanoke College wrestler 10-6 for his first career NCAA victory. Smith qualified last year but was unable to wrestle due to injury. In the quarterfinal, the sophomore lost by 6-4 decision and in his wrestleback later on Friday evening, his tournament ended by 8-3 decision.

Ethan Liptzin, in his first NCAA Championships appearance, went 0-2 for the Blue Jays.