Malychewski finishes fifth at NCAA tournament

Camas wrestler Caleb Malychewski’s college career ended with a win and a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Division III championship tournament Saturday, at U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The 184-pound Pacific University Boxer rebounded from losses in the semifinals and the consolation semifinals by grinding out a 2-0 victory against Coe College’s Ryan Sheldon in a trophy match for fifth place.

Malychewski stood on the national podium with a 31-8 record this season. He is the first Pacific wrestler to become an All-American since 2002. His career record stands at 93-54.

“Caleb came back here with pretty high expectations, and I think he met them,” head coach Severin Walsh said in a press release. “[He’s] the kind of kid who doesn’t pay attention to the rankings. He just wants to go out and wrestle. He leaves it all to the coaches to research the opponent and do the scouting. He went out and let it fly today and good things happened.”

The unranked Malychewski knocked off two highly seeded wrestlers Friday to advance to the semifinal round. He battled back to tie his first-round match with No. 3 seeded Eric Twohey, of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse at 4-4 and force overtime. Malychewski emerged with a 6-4 victory in sudden death.

“Caleb gave up that first takedown at the edge of the mat,” Walsh said. “From there, he was relentless in not giving up back points or reversals. He responded well to the adversity.”

Malychewski then beat No. 6 ranked Jonathan Deupree, of Southern Maine, 8-2 in the quarterfinals.