BRAUN KNOCKS OFF TOP SEED 5-0 TO GAIN GULF DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP, TRIP TO NATIONALS

Sophomore Jon Braun won the NJCAA Gulf District Championship at 174 pounds and has qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament in doing so. Braun, who was seeded #2, upset the top seed from Lackawanna 5-0 in the finals to capture his first Gulf District Championship. He remains undefeated on the season at 8-0 and will compete at the National Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa in two weeks.

Braun jumped out to an early lead in the match, scoring a first period takedown of top-seeded and returning District Champion John Koroma. Koroma nearly escaped with 20 seconds remaining in the first period, but Braun was able to hang on and received one point for riding time to go up 3-0 after one.

In the second period, Braun scored an escape early to go up 4-0 and then gained an additional point when Koroma was hit with stalling to go up 5-0.

Braun wrestled a strong defensive third period from the neutral position and was never really threatened on his way to the title.

The win qualifies Braun for Nationals which will be held on March 7 -8. Braun qualified last year as a freshman as well.