LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine wrestling makes its second trip the NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships this weekend, traveling to Cleveland, OH March 19-21.

Redshirt junior Grant O'Dell (174) and junior Jeb Prechtel (157) will represent the Knights in competition, becoming the third and fourth athletes in school history to qualify for a National Championship in any sport.

Joining them for a chance to wrestle will be redshirt sophomore AJ Rallo (141) who was selected by the NCAA as an alternate.

Both O'Dell and Prechtel earned their way to the National Championships via automatic qualifier status after winning the SoCon Championship at their respective weight classes.

O'Dell, a North Liberty, IA native, finished the regular season 24-9 overall and 5-2 in SoCon duals. In the SoCon Championships, he was the four seed and defeated the top two seeds in the tournament en route to his gold medal.

Prechtel, a Jasper, IN native, also notched 20 wins on the season, turning in a 20-15 record while going 4-3 in SoCon action. Wrestling as the six seed in his bracket, Prechtel nearly pinned his way to his gold, getting two wins by fall while defeating each of the top three seeds in the tournament.

The National Championship is a double-elimination event, beginning on Thursday March 19. O'Dell will be the 33 seed in the 174-pound weight class and will wrestle against the 32 seeded Luke Condon out of Wisconsin in the pig tail match. Prechtel will be the 32 seed in the 157-pound weight class and take on the 33 seeded Yannis Charles out of Morgan State in the pig tail match.

Action will kick off at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse at noon on Thursday, March 19. Live streams will be available for every mat (1-8) in each session on ESPN+. Live results will be available on
FloWrestling.

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