Griffin Ranked 27th in the National Polls after Stellar Tournament Performance
1/3/2024 4:31:00 PM | Wrestling
RIVERSIDE--- Elijah Griffin of California Baptist University wrestling is ranked 27th in the InterMat rankings after a stellar performance at the Midlands Invitational this past weekend.
Griffin placed second at the tournament, claiming victory over five opponents en route to the championship match. Two of Griffin's victories came over ranked opponents, including #21 Max Gallagher of Penn and #33 Blake West of Northern Illinois.
Griffin defeated Gallagher by technical fall 15-0, registering a takedown and 12 back points, all in the first period of competition. Griffin then defeated West of Northern Illinois, a wrestler Griffin fell short to in their previous two matchups. Griffin took down West twice and earned back points en route to defeating West via decision 10-7.
Griffin would then face Luke Stanich of Lehigh, who was wrestling unattached and would take him the distance. Griffin battled Stanich into overtime and would eventually lose 8-7 in tiebreakers. Stanich defeated three ranked wrestlers on his way to the championships round, including a pair of top 10 wrestlers, #6 Eric Barnett of Wisconsin and #9 Cooper Flynn of Virginia Tech.
Griffin began the season ranked #29 in his weight class and was also ranked #33. Griffin overcame a devastating leg injury that kept him out of the BIG 12 Championships a season ago and is now the highest-ranked wrestler the program has had on the DI level.
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