WICHITA, Kan. -- A National Champion! Gerardo Hernandez (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) picked up two wins on Saturday at the 2023 NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championships to claim the 174-pound title. Hernandez is the first National Champion in the program's history, including the original 1970s era. Hernandez had already secured an NAIA All-American finish, increasing the streak for the reborn program, which has now had at least one All-American at each NAIA Championship it has participated in. Vanguard has now seen a National Champion in back-to-back years and Hernandez is the 12th individual NAIA Champion in Vanguard history, with track and field holding the other 10.
What Happened? Opening against Riley Smucker of Life (Ga.), two of the top-four wrestlers in the division battered each other in the first period but neither wrestler could make a scoring move. Smucker started in the down position to start the second frame and he pushed his way upright to score the first point of the bout. The two grappled again but neither could make a takedown, taking Smucker's 1-0 advantage into the third. Hernandez was in the down position to start the frame and he would wriggle free to knot the score at 1-1. 30 seconds later, his persistence paid off, as he slipped through Smucker's guard and brought him down to surge ahead 3-1. Smucker then bounced back up to earn an escape but in the driver's seat, Hernandez would not be denied, staying upright to win 3-2 and get to the title fight.
Isaiah Luellen of Grand View beat Nakoda Siegel by the same 3-2 score, pitting the Viking against the Lion. The lights of the title fight came on and a similar defensive tussle ensued. The two grappled and fought with their hands in the first period but neither could impose their will, leading to a 0-0 score after three minutes of action. Luellen started in the down position in the second and he would eventually escape to claim a 1-0 lead. Once upright, the two could not score from a neutral position, sending proceedings to the third. Hernandez was in the down position and was able to break free to open the period, tying the score at 1-1. With no takedowns in sight, the two ended regulation tied at 1-all, sending the bout to overtime. The two slammed into each other for the title, but neither could push the other onto the mat. Time ticked down but Hernandez had something left in the tank and he put that effort into one final push which toppled Luellen to score two points for Hernandez. Throwing off his gear, Hernandez stood on the mat as the 174-pound National Champion.
What was Said? "Today marks history, the First National Champion in program history," said Head Coach Caleb Flores. "Just the beginning of what our program is capable of producing. I am so excited about this special moment and what the future has to bring. Congrats to our Champion Gerardo Hernandez, well earned!"
"Congrats to Gerardo on an amazing performance," said Athletic Director Jeff Bussell. "He has worked extremely hard for this moment and we are proud of him. Coach Flores had a dream about this moment when he started the program four years ago. He has trusted the Lord through the process and it is amazing to see history being made tonight."
