Caleb Rathjen’s run at the NCAA Division I Championships came to an end on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, one match shy of reaching the crucial blood round.
The former Ankeny wrestling star dropped a 10-1 major decision to 21st-seeded Gabe Willochel of Wyoming in a third-round consolation match at 149 pounds. Rathjen, a Northern Iowa senior who was seeded 14th, finished the year with an 11-8 record.
Earlier, Rathjen had posted a 10-4 decision over No. 29 Kaden Cassidy of George Mason in the second round of consolation matches. He recorded two takedowns and earned some back points in the second period to take control of the match.
This was the second NCAA Championship appearance for Rathjen, who started his college career at Iowa before transferring to Cedar Falls for his final season.