Williams & Jennings Finish Second, Birt Sixth at NCAA Championships
DECATUR, Illinois—Millikin University seniors Chris Williams (Bethalto, Civic Memorial H.S.) and Keajion Jennings (O’Fallon, H.S.) both finished in second place at the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke Virginia on March 8-9. Big Blue sophomore Bradan Birt (Epworth, Iowa, Western Dubuque H.S.) finished in sixth place.
Williams (16-3) lost the Championship match 4-3 to David Flynn of team national champion Augsburg College. Williams was leading 3-2 heading into the final minute of the match, but Flynn got a late take down and held on for the victory.
Williams is Millikin’s first four-time All-American. He finishes with an 83-13 career record at Millikin.
Williams (16-2) advanced to the Championship match with a 6-3 win over Ben Brisman (23-2) of Ithaca in the semifinals. Williams broke a 2-2 tied with a reversal to open the third period. He added a takedown later in the match to secure the win. Williams had two overtime wins on Friday.
Jennings (29-4) fell in the Championship match 8-5 to Lance Benick (29-3) of Augsburg. Jennings (29-3) won his semifinal match in stunning fashion with a pin wall win 34 seconds into the match over Riley Kauzlaric (29-6) of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Williams and Jennings match Millikin’s highest ever NCAA finish with second place. Kip Crandall finished second in 1988. Jennings ends his Millikin career at 111-28 earning All-American status twice.
Birt (29-7) posted three wins on Friday to advance to the semifinal match on Saturday. Birt lost the match 6-4 to Ryan Epps (36-3) of Augsburg. In the consolation semifinals, Birt lost to Brandon Murray (26-5) of Loras 8-4. Birt finished in sixth place earning All-American status for the second straight year. He was injured in the loss to Murray forcing him to medically forfeit the fifth place match.
Millikin finished tied for ninth in the team standings with 42 points marking the best team finish in Big Blue history.
