Once the match would end on Saturday, Aric Williams, a graduate student at Dakota Wesleyan and former Pierre Governor stand out, left his shoes on the mat, a signal of retirement. The 2017 Riggs graduate, Williams placed eighth earning an All-American podium finish at the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament as his long-lasting career came to an end.
It was the second time Williams had reached the national tournament, but the first time reaching the podium and being an All American in the 141-weight class. Williams sys this time he was able to control his emotions much better…
Williams won his first match 13-7 over 14 seeded Taylor Vasquez of Morningside he then went on to beat the three seed Tyree Johnson of Life College to reach the quarterfinals. Williams then lost a 5-4 decision to Gage Hudson of Cumberlands before beating the 16 seed Thomas Williams of St. Thomas. The win signified that he would be an All American and he recalls the final moments of the match…
Williams says he thought about leaving his shoes on the mat about a month leading up to his final matches…
And for Williams, he leaves wrestling on his own terms…
You can see the list of the matches for Williams below.
NAIA 141
Aric Williams’s place is 8th and has scored 5.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) won by decision over 14 Taylor Vasquez (Morningside) (Dec 13-7)
- Champ. Round 2 – Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) won by decision over 3 Tyree Johnson (Life) (Dec 8-6)
- Quarterfinal – Gage Hudson (Cumberlands) won by decision over Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) (Dec 5-4)
- Cons. Round 4 – Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) won by decision over 16 Thomas Williams (St. Thomas) (Dec 7-5)
- Cons. Round 5 – 7 Cade Manion (Oklahoma City) won by major decision over Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) (Maj 11-0)
- 7th Place Match – 12 Edrich Nortje (Dickinson State) won by fall over Aric Williams (Dakota Wesleyan) (Fall 2:56)
