Millersville University
NCAA Championships
Big stage is set as the five Marauders travel for the NCAA Championships
3/13/2024 12:00:00 PM | Wrestling
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The Millersville wrestling program has a program record five Marauders competing at the upcoming NCAA Division II Championships. Devin Flannery (133), Craig Cook (149), Brandon Connor (165), Jonathan Parrilla (174), and Anthony Giampietro (184) are set to take to the stage at Hartman Arena in Wichita, Kansas on March 15-16.
Flannery, no stranger to this championships, is a two-time NCAA Division II All-American who took seventh place in 2022 and fifth place in 2023. Flannery just claimed the 133-pound class at the Super Region 1 Championships for the first time in his career going 4-0 with a fall and a technical fall.
"This is my favorite time of the year," said Flannery. "It's always super exciting wrestling at nationals."
Flannery has performed at a high level all season as he was seated as high as No. 3 in the national rankings and finished his regular season 24-3. He leads the team in falls and technical falls at eight a piece. Flannery is seeded in the No. 4 spot and will face off against Franky Medina from King who poses a 19-8 record. Flannery is already the program's record holder in tech falls and is looking to become the third Marauder to be a three-time All-American.
Cook is not an newcomer to this spotlight either as he is now a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier. It is his first trip as a Marauder. He earned himself a spot at the tournament by finishing in the runner-up spot in the 149-pound weight bracket while posting a 3-1 run on the day with a technical fall and major decision win. 2024 has been a season of redemption for Cook despite missing time with an injury. He missed the championships in his first season as a Marauder in 2023.
"From not making it last year, I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete in my last collegiate tournament at the NCAAs," said Cook. "I'm excited for the opportunity and won't take it for granted. I would like to thank my family for all the support they've given me through my career. I wouldn't be where I am today without them."
Cook had a stellar senior season as he earned his 100th career win. Since transferring to Millersville, he is 43-17, and overall, Cook's impressive record stands at 104-40. He is unseeded in the championship bracket and meets Zeth Brower from Lander who is 10-1 this season in the first round.
Connor, a three-time qualifier, defied the odds at the Super Region 1 and claimed the third place spot with a 3-1 performance. At the Super Region 1 Championships, Connor had a thrilling, 4-1 sudden victory win in his first match-up against Dillon Keane and then edged Keane again in the third-place match, earning a 4-2 win and a ticket punched to NCAAs.
"It is an honor to be able to compete at the national stage for the third time," said Connor. "I'm excited to go out there, to have fun, and let it fly."
Connor capped off the regular season with a 22-10 record while tallying three falls, six technical falls, and three major decisions. Connor is set to take on Alec Cook from West Liberty in his first match. Connor and Cook are acquainted with each other as they wrestled in the regular season. Connor won in a 5-2 battle.
Parrilla earned his first NCAA berth after earning a third-place finish at the Super Region 1 Championships with a 3-1 record. It was a measure of vengeance for Parrilla as he finished one win short of the NCAA Championships in 2023. Parrilla is a grinder, routinely winning close matches, and all four of his bouts at the super regional were by decision and two were in sudden victory.
"It's an honor," said Parrilla. "I was never supposed to wrestle in the NCAA and here I am making things happen. Big thank you to everyone that has supported me in this journey; I'm blessed,"
Parrilla was a versatile key in the Marauders line-up this season as he bounced back and forth between the 165 and 174-pound weight bracket. He excelled at both levels and finished the regular season off with a 15-11 record, the most wins he has obtained in a season. Parrilla is unseeded and wrestles the 28-5 Josh Kenny from Grand Valley State in his first match-up,
Giampietro is making his second championships appearance at 184 pounds after missing nearly all of 2023 with a season-ending injury. At the Super Region 1 Championships, Giampietro placed third, defeating Pitt-Johnstown's Noah Grimbus 8-2 in the deciding bout.
"After an injury that ended my season in 2023, it's a great honor to qualify for the NCAA Championships once again," said Giampietro. "I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my wrestling career. Thank you to everyone who has helped me in wrestling, but more importantly in life."
Giampietro posted a 19-10 record for a career-high in wins and spent time in the national rankings. He accumulated four falls, four technical falls, while tying for the team-lead in major decisions with six. Giampietro starts the championships against Daniel Beemer from Ashland who is 15-1..
"I'm beyond grateful for my family that has given me every opportunity to chase my dreams and goals, and every wrestling coach that has helped me in the past 19 years," said Giampietro.
Qualifying for the NCAA Championships is a monumental achievement for the wrestlers and to be a part of team that produced five qualifiers in a season is also rare. Millersville sent five qualifiers at the Division I level in 1992. Millersville has never had more than three since joining the Division II ranks in 2012.
CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
The action starts Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. ET. The full bracket can be accessed here. Fans can watch the matches live here.
Players Mentioned
