Guzman Finishes National Runner-Up; Shires Earns Third All-America Honor

WICHITA, Kan.--Cumberland closed out the NAIA National Championships with two All-Americans and a 14th-place team finish, totaling 31.5 points as Victor Guzman finished as national runner-up at 149 pounds and Sammy Shires placed seventh at 141 pounds.

Victor Guzman battled defending national champion Elijah Larsen of Grand View in the 149-pound title match, falling by a 7-4 decision to earn national runner-up honors.

Guzman struck first in the opening period, securing a takedown to take a 3-0 lead. Larsen answered with an escape before the end of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Starting on top in the second period, Guzman looked to control the pace, but Larsen earned a quick escape and followed with a takedown to take a 5-3 advantage. Guzman responded with an escape to trim the score to 5-4 heading into the final period.

In the third, Larsen rode Guzman for the entirety of the period to maintain control. A stalling call against Guzman added a point for Larsen, and the defending champion secured the riding time bonus to seal the 7-4 decision.

With the finish, Guzman caps his career as a two-time NAIA All-American and national runner-up after an impressive tournament run.

In the morning session, Sammy Shires secured seventh place at 141 pounds, earning All-America honors for the third time in his career.

Shires defeated Horacio Godinez of Evergreen for the second time during the tournament, claiming a 6-1 decision. He opened with a first-period takedown to build a 3-0 lead. After choosing bottom in the second, Shires scored a reversal to extend the advantage to 5-0 before Godinez escaped late in the period to make it 5-1.

Shires controlled the final two minutes, riding Godinez for the entire third period to secure the riding time bonus and close out the 6-1 victory.

Cumberland concludes the national championships with two All-Americans in Guzman and Shires and a 14th-place team finish with 31.5 points, closing the season on the national stage.

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Players Mentioned

Victor Guzman: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

Sammy Shires: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Victor Guzman
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

Sammy Shires
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior