LEWISBURG, Pa. – Lennox Wolak and Aaron Ayzerov made history Saturday by helping Columbia win two individual EIWA Championships in the same season for the first time since 1935.
 
Wolak, Ayzerov and Jack Wehmeyer all qualified for the NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri based on their finishes. As a team, Columbia finished with six wrestlers on the podium. The Lions totaled 90.5 points and finished tied for fourth as a team with Penn.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this team for how they performed this weekend," Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli said. "It was an absolute team effort to match our best performance in our long history at the EIWA championships. We've battled more adversity this season than we ever could have anticipated. To finish the way we did is a true testament to our student-athletes, their belief and ability to persevere. This team will forever hold a very special place in my heart."
 
Wolak continued to dominate Saturday as he opened the day with a 16-6 major decision win over Penn's Nick Incontrera in the 174 semifinals. Wolak used two early takedowns to build up an 8-2 lead after the first period. He secured two more takedowns in the third period to finish off the big win. The win allowed Wolak to avenge a loss to Incontrera in January.
 
Wolak also faced a familiar opponent in the championship match against Army's Ben Pasiuk. The two faced each other in January when Wolak earned a 10-7 decision win. Wolak battled again to earn a 5-1 decision win against Pasiuk this time. Pasiuk held the lead until the third period when Wolak took the lead on a stalling call. Wolak locked down the win with a takedown in the closing seconds.
 
Since Wolak competed just before Ayzerov, Wolak officially became the first Lion to win an EIWA Championship since 2022 when Matt Kazimir won the 141 title.
 
"I'm pumped, it means everything tonight," Wolak said. "Our goals are still ahead of us. Super proud of the team for a 4th place finish. It was awesome to win it with Aaron. Back-to-back champs is a special feeling."
 
In the next weight class up at 184, Ayzerov also had an impressive weekend on the mat. Ayzerov met top-seeded Chris Foca from Cornell for the third time this season. Just like the other two times, Ayzerov secured the win and earned a spot in the 184 championship match.
 
Ayzerov and Foca battled through the first period with Ayzerov holding a 5-4 lead. Foca evened the score in the second with an escape, but Ayzerov executed a takedown in the third that helped him pull away for the win.
 
The championship match provided Ayzerov with another chance to defeat an opponent he had already faced this season as he met Princeton's Nate Dugan. Dugan previously defeated Ayzerov in an 8-5 decision in January.
 
Ayzerov was able to flip the script this time and post an 8-4 decision victory in the 184 EIWA Championship. The two were scoreless through one period before Ayzerov used a reversal to take the lead in the second period. A takedown, stalling call and escape in the third period helped Ayzerov secure the win.
 
"Simply, I said I was going to be the 184-pound EIWA champ, and I'm very happy but not surprised," Ayzerov said. "Lennox, Wehmeyer and I are the hardest workers in the country, and we're excited to go show it at nationals."
 
Wehmeyer's performance was also a highlight of Saturday's action as he finished in fourth place and earned a spot in the NCAA Championships. Wehmeyer advanced through two rounds of consolation to reach the third-place match at 197. He lost in an 11-1 major decision to Binghamton's Lou Deprez to finish in fourth.
 
Kai Owen, Richard Fedalen and Andrew Garr also earned podium finishes to help the Lions finished tied for fourth as a team. Owen finished in seventh at 141, while Fedalen took eighth at 149. Garr capped off an incredible run as the No. 17 seed to earn a sixth-place finish at 157.
 
"Both Lennox and Aaron are wrestling at a championship caliber and I am excited to see how high they will climb on the podium at the NCAA Championships in two weeks," Tanelli said. "Jack continues to make huge strides and is absolutely ready to make his mark in Kansas City, too. We're hopeful to add some more guys to our travel party when wildcard selections come out on Tuesday."
 
Columbia will wait for Tuesday to see if any other wrestlers will qualify for the NCAA Championships as at-large selections. The NCAA brackets and seeding will be announced on Wednesday, March 13 on NCAA.com.
 
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