Bucknell University Athletics
Wrestler Austin Miller Named Bison Athlete of the Week After Qualifying for NCAA Championships
3/5/2012 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 5, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell freshman wrestler Austin Miller (Mount Joy, Pa./Hempfield) was named the Susquehanna Valley Limousine Bison Athlete of the Week on Monday, one day after finishing third in the 125-pound weight class at the EIWA Championships and earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships. Seeded fifth in the bracket, Miller posted a 3-1 record against four seeded opponents during the two-day event.
Bucknell's first freshman to qualify for NCAAs since 2009, Miller posted three wins by decision at EIWAs, and his only loss came to eventual champion Frank Perrelli from Cornell. Miller defeated fourth-seeded Thomas Williams from American, 4-3, seventh-seeded Tyler Sackett from Navy, 12-6, and earned the third-place medal with a 3-2 win over third-seeded Billy Watterson from Brown.
Miller received a bye in the bracket and needed only to beat Williams to advance to Saturday's semifinals. The semifinal loss to Perrelli dropped him to the consolation bracket, where he won two consecutive bouts to guarantee the NCAA berth. The top three finishers in the 125 pound weight class received automatic NCAA tickets.
Miller will enter the NCAA Championships with a 22-12 record this season. He has won six of his last seven bouts and 11 of his last 15. Miller's 22 victories are the most on the team.
Miller's third-place finish at EIWAs marked the highest placing for a Bison in 2012. Corey Lear (5th at 165) and John Regan (7th at 157) were also placewinners for Bucknell, which finished 13th in the team standings.
This year's NCAA Championships will take place March 15-17 in St. Louis, Mo.
