Justin Blumer has made the most of his final season wrestling for Oklahoma City University.
Blumer, a senior from Holbrook, Pa., won the 133-pound championship in the NAIA Central Regional Qualifying Group Tournament at Saturday.
“It was a tough tournament, but really good to finally win,” said Blumer.
The past two years Blumer had finished second in the tournament, leaving it until his senior year to win the title.
“I went in with a different mentality this year,” Blumer said. “I knew it was my last time to wrestle in this tournament and I wanted to win it.”
Blumer, a senior from Holbrook, Pa., defeated the top-seeded wrestler, Jon Gerhold, in the championship match with an escape at 1:15 left in the third period.
“I had wrestled him a number of times before so I knew how the match was going to play out,” said Blumer. “I had been beaten by him before, so I had to go into it with confidence knowing I could beat him.”
Blumer will be competing for the Stars in the NAIA Wrestling Championships hosted by Oklahoma City University on March 5-7.
“I think it will be a great atmosphere here for the championships,” said Blumer. “I always wrestle better at home. We will have great support from family and friends here and we will be in our element. Not having to travel to wrestle is going to be a great advantage.”
As a senior, Blumer is looking to finish on top in his wrestling career.
“I am going into nationals extremely confident,” Blumer said. “As a personal goal for myself I want to be named first team all-American and finish in the top three in the tournament.”
As a team, the OCU men’s wrestling program has faced adversity this season, forfeiting at 125 pounds and making it difficult to stay competitive in duals.
“We had a lot of kids quit this season,” said Blumer. “As a team I think we will stay competitive at nationals, and I would love to see us finish in the top five.”
OCU coach Archie Randall said that he has seen Blumer wrestle his best this semester.
“I really turned it on second semester,” said Blumer. “I have peaked at the right time this season. I have to stay confident when I go into a match with someone who has beaten me before. The win at regionals really helped me with that. I have to keep up the hard work and stay confident.”
More on Justin:
Favorite video game: Guitar Hero
Last book I read: Tucker Max
My worst fear: Mice
Favorite candy: Reese’s Pieces
Reality show I want to be on: The Real World
