Sophomore John Boyle became Western New England's ninth All-American in program history with two wins on the opening day of the NCAA Championships on Saturday in Cleveland. (Photo by Geoff Riccio)

Posted: Mar 09, 2018

All-American! Boyle Secures Spot in National Semifinals with Two Wins on Opening Day of NCAA Championships

Rowley, Mass. native will take on Tyler Lutes of Wartburg College on Saturday morning

CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 9, 2018) – Sophomore John Boyle (Rowley, Mass.) of the Western New England University wrestling team earned All-America honors and secured his spot in the 184-pound national semifinals with a pair of wins on the opening day of the NCAA Division III Championships on Friday at the Cleveland Public Auditorium.

Wrestling in the first round on Friday morning, Boyle got off to a strong start with an 11-4 decision over Francis Krauss of York (Pa.) College to reach the quarterfinals.

During the night session, Boyle registered a first period pin (1:36) against top-ranked and No. 2 seed Jake Ashcraft of Ithaca College to punch his ticket to the semifinals, in the process becoming Western New England's first All-American since Abdul Shabazz in 1997.

Boyle will continue his quest for a national championship on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., when the takes on Wartburg (Iowa) College senior Tyler Lutes in the semifinals.