Providence, R.I. – Wheaton graduate student Jackson Punzel secured an eighth-place finish in the 197-pound weight class at the 2025 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships this weekend. Punzel tallied three victories on Friday to earn a spot on the podium and claim a Division III All-America award.
SATURDAY RECAP
After securing All-America accolades on Friday night, Punzel finished Saturday's slate by taking home eighth-place. Wrestling in the consolation round, Punzel fell to UW-Eau Claire's Ian Pepple via fall at 2:57 to start the day on Saturday.
Punzel faced No. 3 seed Ben Kawczynski of UW-La Crosse for the second time in the tournament in today's seventh-place match. Kawczynski used a pair of take downs and bested Punzel by 10-0 major 
decision to leave Punzel in eighth place.
Punzel finished the tournament with a 3-3 record. He becomes the first All-American in wrestling for Wheaton since Ethan Harsted finished as a National Runner-up at 141-pounds in 2023. Additionally, Punzel is the first Wheaton wrestler to earn All-America honors in the 197-pound weight class since Mikey Swider finished seventh at the 2016 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.
FRIDAY RECAP
No. 3 seed Ben Kawczynski of UW-La Crosse defeated Punzel via a fall at 2:11 of their matchup in the second round on Friday afternoon.
Punzel won his first match in the consolation bracket with a convincing 11-0 major decision against UChicago's Gunnar Garriques. Garriques defeated Punzel earlier this season at the Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational.
Punzel's second win on Friday was an impressive victory against Rhode Island College's Matthew Kelly. Punzel led Kelly 8-2 after one period and had two takedowns in the period. Midway through the second period, Punzel had his third takedown of Kelly, and it led to a fall at the 4:25 mark.
The victory against Kelly set up a match against TCNJ's DJ Henry, the No 8 seed. A takedown in the final minute of the first period gave Punzel a 5-3 lead at the end of the opening period. Punzel recorded another takedown in the second period as he led 8-4 heading into the final period. Punzel had his third takedown of the match midway through the period to take a convincing lead that made a rally difficult for Henry. Punzel won a 13-6 decision over Kelly to earn a spot in Saturday's action.
