197 lb Bracket
St. Louis, Mo. – Northern State University grappler, Joe Gomez earned All-American status in the first day of competition from the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.
 
Gomez began the two day competition with a victory by fall over Chris Di Lorio of LIU Post. The pin came at the 5:56 mark. Joe then faced off against the returning national champion, Romero Cotton of Nebraska Kearney. The sophomore fell by a 3-7 decision in the match and was sent to the back end of the bracket.
 
Joe bounced back with a 9-7 decision over Francisco Rentana of Colorado Mesa to secure his All-American standing. Gomez is NSU Wrestling's first All-American since National Champion and four-time All-American Matt Meuleners. He will begin the day tomorrow versus Jacob Cramer of Tiffin, who is also 2-1 from the first day of competition. Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow from the Chaifetz Arena.