CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Chicago wrestling team delivered a strong performance at the NCAA Region 5 Championships, finishing seventh in a deep and balanced field of 17 teams. The Maroons scored 79.5 points and secured three NCAA qualifiers for the upcoming NCAA Championships in Providence, R.I., on March 14-15. 
 

Conway Leads UChicago with Runner-Up Finish at 141 lbs 

Third-year captain Sean Conway (141 lbs) led the way with a runner-up finish, earning his first career NCAA berth. Conway dominated Friday's opening rounds, securing two technical fall victories, before delivering a statement win in the semifinals. Leading 4-1 late in the second period, he caught his nationally ranked UW-Whitewater opponent on his back in the closing seconds, securing his spot at Nationals. He ultimately fell 4-2 in the finals but left the weekend with his NCAA qualification secured. 
 

Estevez and Garriques Battle Back for Third-Place Finishes 

Two more Maroons fought their way to third place finishes and NCAA berths: 

• Darian Estevez (157 lbs, 4th year) – After an overtime loss in the semifinals to a nationally ranked opponent, Estevez rebounded with back-to-back decision victories to punch his ticket to Nationals. This marks his second career NCAA appearance after earning All-America honors in 2022 with an eighth-place finish. 
   

• Gunnar Garriques (197 lbs, 3rd year) – Like Estevez, Garriques responded to a semifinal loss against a nationally ranked opponent with two bonus-point wins, locking in his first trip to the NCAA Tournament with a dominant third-place finish. 
   

Additional Maroon Placers 

Three more UChicago wrestlers earned top-eight finishes in one of the toughest regional fields in the nation: 

• Jackson Rustad (133 lbs, 2nd year) – 7th place  

• Posted a 3-2 record for his second career Regional placement. 

• Both losses came against NCAA qualifiers in a weight class featuring five nationally ranked wrestlers, making 133 lbs in Region 5 one of the deepest brackets in the country. 

• Brendan Connolly (149 lbs, 3rd year) – 8th place  

• Earned his second career Regional placement. 

• Nick Cheshier (165 lbs, 1st year) – 8th place  

• Entered the tournament unseeded and battled to a podium finish in his first postseason appearance. 

Honoring UChicago's Senior Class 

UChicago sent eight underclassmen to Regionals, setting a strong foundation for next season, while two seniors competed in their final collegiate tournament. 

• Darian Estevez (157 lbs) will continue his career at Nationals, looking to build on his All-America finish from 2022. 

• Tyler Joseph (174 lbs), who entered Regionals as the No. 3 seed, saw his tournament cut short due to an injury in the quarterfinals. Joseph has been a key contributor to the program, and his leadership and impact will be remembered beyond the mat. 
   

Coach Gentry Named NCAA Region 5 Coach of the Year 

First-year head coach Matt Gentry was voted NCAA Region 5 Coach of the Year by his peers, capping an impressive debut season at the helm of the Maroons. 

Under Gentry's leadership, UChicago: 

• Posted a 5-3 dual meet record, highlighted by an upset of then-No. 6 North Central in December. 

• Finished second at the UAA Championships hosted by Case Western Reserve. 

• Won the Al Hanke Invite in January. 

• Qualified three athletes for the NCAA Championships. 

With a roster of 37 athletes, including nine graduating seniors, UChicago is poised for continued success. The team will return eight Regional competitors next season, including two NCAA qualifiers and five Regional placewinners. 

As a Region 5 Coach of the Year, Gentry automatically advances as a finalist for National Coach of the Year, which will be voted on and announced at the NCAA Championships. 

Looking Ahead 

Conway, Estevez, and Garriques will represent UChicago at the NCAA Championships on March 14-15 in Providence, R.I., as they compete for national honors. 

"The coaches are very excited for Sean, Darian, and Gunnar to compete at the NCAA tournament in a few weeks. Getting three NCAA qualifiers is a great accomplishment for the program and will be great momentum as we prepare for the NCAA tournament and offseason.  It was a team effort that enabled our NCAA qualifiers to achieve their individual success.  At the same time, those athletes that didn't qualify and whose careers or seasons are over are dealing with a lot of disappointment.  Overall, the coaches are proud of the effort and attitude of the team in handling the intensity of the competition stress." 

For up-to-the-minute University of Chicago Maroons news, visit www.athletics.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Twitter @uchicagoath and @uchicagoathletics on Instagram.