LA CROSSE, WI - Sophomore Evan Lindner wrapped up the 2023-24 Washington and Lee University wrestling slate at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday evening.
Lindner dropped heartbreakers with a sudden-victory and tie-break loss to conclude his sophomore campaign.
To open up the tournament, Lindner took on RIT's Mike Glynn, a senior and the 8th overall seed for the weight class. It was Glynn who struck first in the opening period with a takedown. Lindner was able to escape from the hold and earned three take down points for a 4-3 advantage for the first choice. Lindner picked the bottom position and was able to escape to go ahead by two match points.
Glynn fought back for the lead with a takedown and chose bottom for the third period. Glynn sandwiched a Lindner takedown in the third stanza to force and overtime. From there, Glynn posted a takedown and 4nearfall to earn the 15-8 win in round one of the championship bracket.
The loss bumped Lindner into the consolation bracket where he met junior Michael Concklin of TCNJ, the Mideast Champion of the 149 weight class.
The pair was evenly matched and Lindner's best opportunity for a takedown came as time was winding down in the first period. Lindner ran out of time to record control for a takedown. The pair then traded escape points to open up the second and third stanzas. Neither wrestler was able to create more offense to score and the match went into overtime. Through both sudden victory rounds, neither would escape the other's grasp and forced another match-extension. Concklin prevailed during the first tiebreak with more riding time recorded and escaping Lindner for the final round.
