Millikin University wrestlers James Buss, a junior communication major from Chicago, and Chris Williams, a first-year sport management major from Bethalto, Ill., reached the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships held March 11-12 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Big Blue duo are among 180 wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA Championships with 18 athletes competing at each of the 10 weight classes.
Buss wrestled in the 285 pound weight class and entered the NCAA Championships with a 16-1 record on the season. Buss is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament having won the 2014 NCAA Championships at 285 pounds wrestling for Loras College.
Williams was the seventh seed at 141 pounds. He entered the NCAA Championships with a 17-2 record.
Buss and Williams have put quite an exclamation mark on the Millikin program's return to the sport and on their own unexpected success.
"It's what motivates them. It's what keeps them going," said Ryan Birt, Millikin Wrestling coach. "Their mental toughness, their desire to be great is awesome. But it's that same desire that allowed to pull them out of some tough trenches."
Click here to read more about Buss and Williams in an article from the Herald & Review.