GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Williams Baptist freshman Tanner Irwin took fourth place in the Midwest Regional Qualifier on Saturday, earning a spot in the NAIA National Championships.
Irwin (Jefferson City High School) posted a 3-2 record at 133 pounds. After receiving a first-round bye, he won by fall in 1:24 against Hannibal-LaGrange's Caleb McElfresh in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, Irwin lost 18-8 to Erique Early of Indiana Tech. He then won by fall in 1:48 against Marian's Logan Dilbeck in the fourth round of wrestlebacks.
Irwin the lost by fall in 1:41 to Missouri Baptist's Michael Moncivais in the third-place match.
The top three finishers in each weight class at the regional qualifiers receive automatic berths to the national championships. Irwin (26-9), ranked No. 16 at 133 in the NAIA, received an at-large bid to the national tournament through a vote of the coaches.
The NAIA National Championships will be held March 3-4 in Topeka, Kan.