RIC’s Lackman Wins 2nd Consecutive National Championship—Defeats His Brother
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Rhode Island College senior Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.) defeated his brother, Alvernia junior Matt Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.), 3-1, in sudden victory to win the individual national championship at 165 lbs. at the 2023 NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championship on Saturday evening.
Read About Lackman's First National Title Here
Nathan, who was the No. 1 seed, and Matt, the No. 2 seed, at 165 lbs. each came into the finals having won their previous three matches at the tournament.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter a scoreless first period, Matt notched an escape 10 seconds into the second stanza. Nathan answered back 46 seconds into the third period to knot the bout at 1-1.
The match headed into overtime and Nathan struck for a takedown 50 seconds in to win an individual national title and earn All-American honors for the second consecutive season. He was the NCAA Div. III National Champion at 157 lbs. as a junior in 2021-22.
Lackman wraps up the 2022-23 season with a 39-3 overall record. He has not lost a match, given up a takedown, reversal or back points to a Div. III opponent since the 2020-21 campaign.
In his first bout of the tourney, the No. 1-seeded Lackman defeated North Central's Cole Cervantes with an 8-0 major decision. It marked his 100th career victory.
Lackman then defeated No. 8-seeded Luke Reicosky from John Carroll, 8-2.
He beat No. 5-seeded Nicolas Sacco from TCNJ, 7-3, in the semifinals to reach the final for the second straight year.
