CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 5) – Junior 184-pounder Corbin Semple saw his run at the NCAA Division III National Championships come to an end Friday night as he dropped a 9-3 decision to top-seeded Tyler Burkle of Coe in the consolation round.
For the second-straight year, Semple ends his run at nationals at with a 1-2 record.
Burkle took a 2-0 lead just second into the first period and rode Semple over the rest of the two minutes. In the second period, Burkle took top and turned the Yellow Jacket standout for three back points, before Semple was able to reverse his way on top to cut the lead to 5-2.
In the third period, Burkle escaped from the down position and took Semple down to go up 8-2. Semple escaped late in the bout, but it was too little too late. A point for riding time brought up the final score of 9-3.
Semple ends the season with an official record of 28-7 and he’ll play the role of spectator and supporter for teammate Nick Garber, who will wrestle in the 133-pound All-American round on Saturday.
Although he won’t be an All-American on the mats, Semple will be recognized as an All-American in the classroom as he was named an Academic All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). A full release on that accomplishment will be out soon.