Kearney, Neb. – The brackets for the 2019 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships have been released.

This year's meet will be March 9-10 at the U.S Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Ia.

Junior Zach Stodden (Broomfield, Colo.) will try and become a two-time All-American. He placed seventh last year at 184 pounds but is now ranked 12th at 174 pounds. Next, senior Bryce Shoemaker (Baldwin City, Kan.) also makes a second straight NCAA appearance. He was rolling along last winter before suffering an injury that hampered him at nationals. The former NAIA national champ is ranked 11th at 133 pounds.

UNK's other three qualifiers – sophomore Jarrod Hinrichs (285 lbs.) and redshirt freshmen Matt Malcom (157 lbs.) and Josh Portillo (125 lbs.) – are all in the NCAA's for the first time. This will be a Homecoming of sorts for Malcolm (Glenwood) and Portillo (Clarion), both Iowa natives.

Defending national champion and top-ranked St. Cloud State qualified all 10 of its wrestlers and will be the favorite in the team race. McKendree (Il), Notre Dame (Ohio) and Pittsburgh-Johnstown each have seven qualifiers with three others having six in the meet. 

UNK, one of four schools with five in the event, has had six straight top five team finishes. Below are the pairings for the Lopers; national rankings are from February 16th. 

 

125 lbs.
#6 Josh Portillo (Fr-R, Clarion, Ia., 10-5) vs. #12 Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst, Pa.)
Next Round: #4 Brett Velasquez (St. Cloud State) or Majid Corbit (Limestone, S.C)

133 lbs.
#11 Bryce Shoemaker (Sr., Baldwin City, Kan.,18-3) vs. Naquan Hardy (McKendree, Ill.)
Next Round: #9 Nolan Whitely (Newberry, S.C.) vs. #1 Darius Brunch (West Liberty State, W.V.)
  
157 lbs.
Matt Malcom (Fr-R, Glenwood, Ia., 17-5) vs. Cortez Arredondo (Southwest Minnesota State)
Next Round: #1 Cody Law (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) or #7 Heath Lange (Indianapolis)
  
174 lbs.
#12 Zach Stodden (Jr., Broomfield, Colo., 30-12) vs. Steven Edwards (Pittsburgh-Johnstown)
Next Round: #1 Nick Becker (Wisconsin-Parkside) or Lukas Poloncic (Augustana)
 
285 lbs.
#5 Jarrod Hinrichs (So., Geneva, 38-7) vs. #6 Ryan Appleby (Kutztown, Pa.)
Next Round: #11 Jacob Borgmeyer (Lindenwood) or Matt Halverson (Wisconsin-Parkside)