Paulson Caps Season at NCAA Championships

ROANOKE, Virginia – Penn State Behrend sophomore Jake Paulson (Erie, PA/McDowell) fell twice at the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia.

Competing at 184, Paulson was eliminated in two close matches. He battled Solomon Nielson of Ausburg to start the day. Nielson pinned Paulson in third period with 10 seconds left. Paulson was leading 1-0 with an escape in the second period and Nielson earned three points with a takedown in the third before the fall.

Paulson needed to win twice to stay alive and wrestling on day two. He faced Victor DeFrance from Messiah in his second match of the day. DeFrance was able to take a 7-2 lead after the first period with a take down and four-point nearfall. Paulson got two points for a reversal. He chose bottom to start the second period and escaped to make it 7-3 with one period remaining.

DeFrance jumped out to a 10-4 lead with three points on an escape and takedown, before Paulson did the same in the final 37 seconds but fell short 10-6.

Paulson finishes the season with a 28-5 overall record.