Wrestling's LaFragola Learns of NCAA Bracket Placement
3/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Sophomore CJ LaFragola has learned of his placement in the NCAA bracket after earning an at-large berth into the 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in the 184-pound weight class, the NCAA announced on Wednesday night.
A native of Little Egg Harbor, N.J., LaFragola will make his debut at the NCAA Championships and will face No. 16 seed Jordan Ellingwood (26-8) of Central Michigan in the round of 32. The winner of that match-up will square off with the winner No. 1 seed Gabriel Dean (30-0) of Cornell and Michael Coleman (21-6) of Navy in the round of 16 while the losers will proceed to the wrestlebacks.
LaFragola took a major step forward in his second season, tying for first on the team in dual wins (11) and ranking second for the Bears in total wins (24), dual EIWA wins (nine), and dual points (35).
A product of St. Joseph High School, LaFragola won his weight class at the Franklin & Marshall Open and closed the regular season with wins in each of his last six bouts and 11 of his last 13 matches.
Against the NCAA field, he owns victories over Rider's Michale Fagg-Daves and Penn's Joe Heyob.
The NCAA Championships will take place from Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 18 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
