INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. | Great Lakes Valley Conference - As No.5 McKendree University men's wrestling prepares for its postseason competition, the Bearcats notched a GLVC-leading nine selections to the All-GLVC teams with five first team selections whil head coach James Kisgen earned his fifth GLVC Coach of the Year honor, as announced by the league office on Friday morning. The postseason honors also included one second team honoree and three third team selections, all of which followed up the program's fifth league crown since the conference started sponsoring the sport in 2017. McKendree's next outing is the NCAA Super Regional - Region IV tournament on March 2, where 10 teams converge on UIndy's Niconson Hall to capture NCAA Division II National Championship qualifying bids for the championships in Kansas on March 15-16.

COACH OF THE YEAR | James Kisgen
Kisgen, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the program, earned his fifth GLVC Coach of the Year honor along with the program's fifth league crown in the eight-year history of GLVC wrestling. Under his direction and mentoring, the Bearcats tallied nine more all-league nods in 2024, bringing the program's total to 52 All-GLVC awards since the league began its sponsorship in 2016-17. Kisgen has led the Bearcats to conference crowns in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and now 2024. 

FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS
Christian Mejia | 125
Mejia becomes a four-time All-GLVC First Team member with his selection in 2024, sitting on a 24-4 record as the team goes into the super regional tournament. Mejia is a three-time national qualifier and two-time All-American, while holding numerous other collegiate achievements during his career. The redshirt senior goes into postseason with a 12-match winning streak and 19 bonus-point wins this year behind 10 falls, six majors, and three techs.

Ryan Ripplinger | 133
Ripplinger earns his second All-GLVC honor in 2024 while seeking his first national qualifying bid in the super regional outing. He enters the postseason with a 20-6 record while winning his last four matchups. Ripplinger has tallied five tech falls, four falls, and four majors on his resume on the 2023-24 season so far.

Ronan Schuelke | 141
Schuelke, the current #2 wrestler in his weight class, owns an impressive season with wins over multiple ranked wrestlers, upsetting opponents repeatedly in his 33-8 slate this year. The Carol Stream, Illinois-native took over the starting spot at 141 in December, placing fifth at the Midwest Classic and now riding a 15-match winning streak since his placing match win at the MWC. He seeks his first nationals qualification at the super regional tournament. 

Joey Semerad | 149
Semerad also earned his first All-GLVC honor in 2024, winning his last four matches and owning a 22-11 record. The junior has grabbed six tech falls, five falls, and two major decisions on the campaign. Semerad claimed victory in a crucial match against then-No.9 UIndy, beating the then-#7 ranked wrestler. 

Cory Peterson | 165
Peterson nabbed another first team honor, making his return this season after falling to injury in 2022-23. The redshirt junior owns two All-American finishes, third in 2022 and fourth in 2021, and looks for his third AA this season. Peterson has a 14-match winning streak, which includes a knock-off of the reigning 165 national champion, and has a 25-5 record this year so far. He totals five techs, three falls, and two majors going into the postseason. 

ALL-GLVC Teams

FIRST TEAM 125: Christian Mejia, Sr., MCK  133: Ryan Ripplinger, Sr., MCK 141: Ronan Schuelke, So., MCK 149: Joey Semerad, Jr., MCK 157: Eric Faught, Sr., UIU 165: Cory Peterson, Jr., MCK 174: Trey Sizemore, Gr., UINDY 184: Colter Bye, R-Jr., UIU  197: Derek Blubaugh, Jr., UINDY 285: Ryan Herman, R-Jr., MU

SECOND TEAM 125: Caden Howard, Sr., DU 133: James Davis, R-Jr., UIU 141: Tate Murty, R-Sr., UIU 149: Dillon Nichols, Sr., DU 157: Owen Zablocki, Gr., UINDY 165: Chase Luensman, Sr., UIU 174: Matt Ortiz, Jr., MCK 184: Owen Butler, R-Jr., UINDY 197: Jeremiah Larson, R-So., MU 285: Jordan Baumler, Sr., UIU

THIRD TEAM 125: Treyton Ackman, R-Fr., UIU 133: Evan Binder, Fr., MU 141: Blake Mulkey, Gr., UINDY 149: Jackson Hoover, Jr., UINDY 157: Will Kuster, Jr., DU 165: Cole Ritter, R-So., MU 174: Ethan Smith, Sr., DU 184: Zeke Waltz, R-So., MCK 197: Logan Kvien, R-Jr., MCK 285: Tyler Haynes, R-Fr., MCK

UP NEXT | NCAA DII Super Regionals - Region IV
March 2 | Nicoson Hall | Indianapolis, Indiana

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