Bucknell's Zach Hartman Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals

ST. LOUIS – Bucknell's Zach Hartman advanced to the quarterfinals in the 165-pound weight class at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, which began on Thursday at the Enterprise Center.

Hartman, the fifth seed and EIWA champion, will next wrestle defending NCAA champion Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) for a spot in the semifinals on Friday.

Hartman opened his time at the NCAA Championships with an 8-6 decision over 28th-seeded Rodrick Mosley (Gardner-Webb). The junior captain pulled away from Mosley by scoring a takedown with just 26 seconds remaining in the third period; his riding time point gave him two points of separation.

Hartman then blanked 21st-seeded Peyton Hall (West Virginia), 6-0, to earn his spot in the quarterfinals. Hartman, who previously topped Hall by a 5-2 decision in 2020-21 dual action, opened the scoring with a second-period takedown and never looked back; he later added a reversal, a penalty point and the riding time point.

With his pair of victories, Hartman improved to 12-0 on the season. His winning streak is the longest of his collegiate career.

Lewis, who is first Hokie wrestler to win an individual national championship, advanced to the quarterfinals behind an 8-3 decision over 29th-seeded Brian Meyer (Lehigh) and a 3-2 decision over 13th-seeded Tanner Skidgel (Navy). Hartman previously downed Skidgel by a 9-0 major decision to capture his 2021 EIWA title.

Hartman is the first Bison to reach the quarterfinals since 141-pounder Tyler Smith did so at the 2018 NCAA Championships. Smith, the 12th seed at those championships, was the first Bison to reach the quarterfinals since current assistant coach Kevin LeValley. As a senior in 2011, LeValley rolled into the 149-pound bracket's round of eight behind a pair of major decisions. LeValley went on to secure All-American accolades for the second year in a row by placing seventh.

Hartman was joined at the 2021 NCAA Championships by sophomore 133-pounder Darren Miller. Miller, the 26th seed, fell into the consolation bracket with a hard-fought 8-3 loss to seventh-seeded Lucas Byrd (Illinois). He was eliminated after being pinned by 23rd-seeded Boo Dryden (Minnesota). It was his first career appearance at the NCAA's premier event.

133: #26 Darren Miller (0-2)
First Round: #7 Lucas Byrd (Illinois), L, Dec., 3-8
Consolation First Round: #23 Boo Dryden (Minnesota), L, Fall, 1:36
Miller eliminated

165: #5 Zach Hartman (2-0)
First Round: #28 Rodrick Mosley (Gardner-Webb), W, Dec. (8-6)
Second Round: #21 Peyton Hall (West Virginia), W, Dec. (6-0)
Hartman advances to Quarterfinals, where will face #1 Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech)