[Men's Wrestling] Boldmaa Wins NAIA National Title

Doane Wrestling crowned their first national champion since 2016 as Baagii Boldmaa (SO/Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) won by pin fall in the championship match at the NAIA Tournament. Boldmaa defeated the top seed, Kendon Lee of Grand View, in 6:45.

The match opened with what appeared to be an early takedown by Boldmaa but after video review, the takedown and subsequent escape by Lee were taken off the scoreboard. Boldmaa managed to record a takedown followed by a Lee escape before the first period ended with the Tiger in front, 2-1.

Lee started in the down position to open the second period and took his only lead of the match as he was able to get a reversal for a 3-2 lead. Boldmaa was able to escape and earn a takedown to grab a 5-3 lead at the end of the second.

Boldmaa elected to start down for the final period and escaped the grips of Lee to earn a point. Inside the final minute, Lee took a shot at taking down Boldmaa but the Tiger wrestler was not only able to fight off the attempt but turned it into a takedown for himself with 52 seconds left in the period and an 8-3 lead. He continued to apply pressure and had four near-fall points ready to be recorded before the referee slapped the mat for the pin.

Over the course of the two days, Boldmaa went 5-0 and improved to 31-2 on the year. He went undefeated against NAIA wrestlers with his two losses coming to NCAA Division I wrestlers from Iowa and Nebraska. He recorded 25 takedowns in his matches and scored 65 points, most of any wrestler in the tournament.

Boldmaa, the lone Tiger wrestler, recorded 24.5 team points for Doane and the Tigers finished 20th overall. He joins Cody Linton (197 lbs, 2016) as national champions for Doane Wrestling. Doane is coached by first year Head Coach Dana Vote.

Following the championship, Boldmaa was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet.