CORALVILLE — Loras College junior Zachary Thompson earned All-American status and finished fifth in the nation at 133 pounds Saturday at the National Wrestling Coaches Association DIII tournament.
Thompson, seeded 12th, began Saturday’s action by facing top-seeded Robbie Precin of North Central of Naperville, Ill. The Cardinal standout advanced to the championship bout with a 10-1 major decision.
The loss sent Thompson into a consolation bracket match against third-seed Eron Haynes of Nebraska Wesleyan. Haynes seized control early and recorded a pin in 1 minute, 38 seconds.
Thompson then drew Greensboro star Joshua Wilson, seeded sixth, in the fifth-place match. The former Perry Bluejay rose to the occasion, ending his season with a 6-5 win to stand fifth on the podium.
Current Loras assistant Trevor Kittleson was the head coach for Thompson in each of his first two seasons, with Mark Weber guiding his junior and senior years as a Jay.
Thompson was no stranger to a final podium and reached the state tournament in all four of his prep seasons. He was sixth at 106 pounds as a freshman and sixth at 120 as a sophomore. Thompson finished third at 120 as a junior and fourth at 120 as a senior, ending his career with a 174-30 overall record.
