CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Ryan Strope is guaranteed at least an eight-place finish at 157 pounds in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.
Strope (Fatima High School) opened Friday's competition with a 7-5 decision against Ryne Cokeley of Fort Hays State.
In the quarterfinals, Strope dropped a 7-5 decision to Fernie Silva of Notre Dame College, but he bounced back for a 12-9 win against Austin Palmer of Newberry in wrestlebacks.
Strope will begin today's action against Matt Malcom of Nebraska-Kearney.