It's not NCAA or NAIA, but it's still a tournament
In the limbo of transitioning to the NCAA, Newman's wrestling team competes in a national tournament this weekend.
BY TOM WITHERSPOON
Wichita Eagle correspondent
The Newman wrestlers will get the opportunity to compete nationally this weekend, an unlikely prospect since the school is transitioning from NAIA Division II to NCAA Division II.

As other winter sports teams at Newman sit out the postseason, the wrestling team will compete today through Saturday in Dallas at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships.

"The kids compete all year long, and the goal is to try to make it to a national tournament," Newman wrestling coach Mark Stovall said.

The NCWA was created 10 years ago to add another collegiate wrestling opportunity. Its aim is to provide competition for schools where varsity programs don't exist.

It takes up to four years for compliance issues to be met before Newman can compete in the NCAA, though they are trying to expedite the process, Stovall said.

In the interim, Stovall is glad to have the NCWA and was impressed by the level of competition last week at the regional conference championship in Boulder, Colo.

"It was surprisingly good," Stovall said, "It was my first time there, and it was right up there at the NAIA level."

Newman took 12 wrestlers to Boulder, and 11 qualified for nationals in Dallas. Of the 11, three won their weight classes. Isaac Wall won at 133 pounds, Clay Goodloe at 141 and Rowdy Palmer at 149.

As a team, Newman finished second behind Colorado State-Fort Collins and ahead of third-place Kansas State. Five other Newman wrestlers finished in the top three of their individual classes.

The Newman wrestling program began three years ago under Stovall. At the NAIA level for two years, Newman had three All-Americans and one national champion, Curtis Chenoweth, in 2006.

Newman goes to Dallas with all freshmen and sophomores, except for one junior, and Stovall commended them for their effort and enthusiasm this season despite the adverse circumstances of the being in NCAA limbo.

"I wish it didn't take four years," Stovall said. "The kids want to be where they can compete in the postseason.... So I'm glad they have the (NCWA). I'm happy with how they have handled it."


Yours in wrestling,

The Swayz
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