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Wills Bronson Vs ONU file photo
Peter Wangechi

Wills Bronson Bows Out of NCAA Championships

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Bronson finished with a 1-2 record in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The 2024-25 season came to a close for Wills Bronson and John Carroll Men's Wrestling on Friday evening.

At the 2025 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the Dunkin Center in Rhode Island, Wills Bronson could not advance far enough in a tough 184-pound bracket to earn All-American honors.

Bronson, JCU's lone qualifier, finished the tournament with a 1-2 record.

The Memphis, Tennessee native drew a tough opponent for starters in the bracket in the #3 seed, Brandt Bombard of Augsburg. With a 27-5 record, Bombard checked in with a #4 ranking at 184. Without a doubt, the junior from Minnesota showcased his strength, besting Bronson in a 14-3 major decision.

Down but not out, Bronson's Friday morning journey headed to the consolation bracket. Awaiting him was Jack McCusker of Washington & Lee. Bronson buried him, as a takedown one minute into the bout led to a pin at 1:11. 

Bronson's next match occurred on Friday evening. Ryder Slayton of Messiah would be Bronson's foe. It proved to be a very defensive battle. After a scoreless opening period, Slayton picked up an escape point in the second period. Up by a point late, Slayton was called for stalling with 22 seconds left, tying the contest. But Bronson could not overcome Slayton's riding time advantage, which proved to be the difference in a 2-1 decision. 

Plenty of good is to be taken from the season for Bronson. The Christian Brothers alum concluded the season with a 30-11 record, nothing to sneeze at, to be sure. Bronson will hope to build on this experience, with two more seasons left.

The offseason work now begins in full for John Carroll Men's Wrestling, which will hope to end a short All-American dry spell dating back to 2022. With Bronson and other young talent in the wings, the future is no doubt bright. 
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