FINAL RESULTS

ADA, Ohio – The bid for a national appearance by Cale Callahan (165 lbs) rested just short on the second day of regionals Saturday afternoon, as the junior settled in fourth place following an admirable effort in the consolation bracket.

Callahan, striving to rebound from an opening-day loss and finish in the top three to secure an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division III Championships, nearly did just that before a narrow result in the third-place bout.

Regardless, he took fourth place on the podium with an All-Region medal at conclusion of the event. Noah Houchins (125 lbs) also made the podium in eighth place despite not competing on day two, where he unfortunately missed weight.

Callahan needed extra time to extend his tournament run Saturday morning, outlasting Dylan Deck (Mount St. Joseph) in their first-ever meeting by a score of 4-1 in sudden victory. He then advanced to the third-place bout after an opponent failed a morning skin check and could not compete.

"I had never wrestled him before, so couldn't really get a good feel," Callahan said. "I got hit for a stalling warning late and knew something needed to happen. I just fired off a shot and it ended up landing.."

A trip to nationals came down to Callahan and Andrew Supers from powerhouse Baldwin Wallace, where the BW counterpart methodically created separation for a 5-0 decision at the last spot in Wisconsin next week.

"Cale has set the tone for the team this entire season," head coach Brent Rastetter said. "Although he fell just short of his goal to qualify for NCAA's, he was already talking about what to do this offseason in order to take that next step. We know he will continue the process and are extremely proud of him."

Callahan, a recent second team All-OAC honoree, ends his campaign at 24-10 overall with a highly-anticipated senior year ahead.

"Today obviously stings a bit, but I gave it my all and told myself that (no matter if I qualified or not) I wanted to leave it all out there," Callahan said. "I'm proud of myself for the determination to keep going and upholding that motto all season for Coach Rastetter and the injuries thrown my way. I have an immense love for wrestling, and it allowed me to find something every day to keep going."

Otterbein took 15th as a team at the event, and will look to continue bolstering its overall roster for the 2024-25 slate.