Schreiner University wrestler makes history by earning All-American honors

ustin Cooley made Schreiner University history Saturday, finishing fifth in the 285-pound weight class at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships and becoming the program’s first All-American.

Cooley pinned Johnson & Wales’ Adolfo Betancur in 2:05 in the fifth-place match, capping a remarkable tournament run for the heavyweight standout.

“Now that Austin Cooley has opened the door, this will motivate and inspire the rest of the team to follow in his footsteps,” said Schreiner head coach Jason Rodriguez.

Cooley entered the championships with a 29-2 record and received a first-round bye. He defeated Ohio Northern’s Myles Johnson 14-6 in the second round before avenging his regional finals loss by beating Luther’s Walter West 8-5 in the quarterfinals, securing All-American status.

After falling 4-2 to Coast Guard’s Carl DiGiorgio in the semifinals and 8-2 to RIT’s Josh Harkless in the consolation semifinals, Cooley rebounded with his pin of Betancur to claim fifth place.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for Rodriguez, who is building the Schreiner program in just his second year at the helm. Cooley’s success establishes Schreiner as a rising competitor on the Division III wrestling scene.

Cooley became not only the first wrestler in Schreiner history to qualify for the national tournament but also the first to earn All-American honors, setting a new standard for the emerging program.