Welcome to a new recurring feature on InterMat celebrating the first 25 years of the 21st century. Every couple of days, we’ll examine a particular collegiate program and highlight its accomplishments over the past quarter century.
The first team that we examined was Minnesota, now Lehigh is up. Lehigh is a team that has perennially been in the hunt for EIWA championships, individually and as a team. During the early part of this quarter century, they even captured a couple of NCAA team trophies. Looking ahead to next year and the first year of the next quarter century, Lehigh might be in a position to contend for a team trophy again. But we’ll talk about that in due time. 
As we tried to determine Lehigh’s first team for the quarter century there were a couple of difficult decisions - more so than our feature on Minnesota. We gave Ryan Crookham the nod even though there are two-time All-Americans on the second and third team at 133 lbs. Crookham does have a significantly higher NCAA finish and NCAA seed, plus time to grow his resume. 
157 and 174 lbs made us think about the cancellation of the 2020 national tournament. Josh Humphreys and Jordan Kutler were both in a position to have another strong NCAA finish, which would have made the decisions here much easier. Of course, that didn’t happen. Maybe Jordan Kutler and his former coach, Brad Dillon, can wrestle off for the spot. 
The decision that might be the most eye-catching is the one at 184 lbs. There’s the choice between 2002 NCAA champion Rob Rohn and two-time NCAA finalist Robert Hamlin. Hamlin’s total body of work is better and he’s one of the best wrestlers in this quarter century without an NCAA title (Lehigh actually might have a couple of wrestlers on that list), while Rohn has the all-important title. We’ll let you debate this in the comments and on the message boards. 
Wrestlers considered for the three teams had to compete from 2001-25. For the wrestlers early in this timeframe, their entire collegiate body of work was considered. Only collegiate results were taken into consideration. Even if a wrestler was successful at multiple weights, they were only selected for one weight - typically it was based on the strongest possible first team.
After the three All-Century teams, there are some fun facts about Lehigh’s results over the past 25 years.
Lehigh
First Team
125 lbs - Darian Cruz: Allentown, Pennsylvania: 3x AA (5,1,7), 2017 NCAA Champ, 3x EIWA Champion, NCAA #1 seed
133 lbs - Ryan Crookham:* Hellertown, Pennsylvania: 1x AA (3), EIWA Champion, NCAA #2 seed
141 lbs - Cory Cooperman: Easton, Pennsylvania: 3x AA (3,3,7), 2x EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist, NCAA #3 seed
149 lbs - Dave Esposito: Matawan, New Jersey: 2x AA (2,3), 2x EIWA Champion, NCAA #4 seed
157 lbs - Josh Humphreys: Parkersburg, West Virginia: 1x AA (3), NWCA 1st Team AA, 2x NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 3x EIWA Champion
165 lbs - Troy Letters: Shaler, Pennsylvania: 3x AA (3,1,2), 2004 NCAA Champ, 3x EIWA Champion
174 lbs - Jordan Kutler: Sparta, New Jersey: 2x AA (7,6), NWCA 1st Team AA, 3x EIWA Champion, NCAA #3 Seed
184 lbs - Robert Hamlin: Jonesville, Vermont: 3x AA (2,4,2), 2x EIWA Champion, NCAA #2 seed x2
197 lbs - Jon Trenge: Orefield, Pennsylvania: 3x AA (3,2,2), 3x EIWA Champion, NCAA #1 seed x2
285 lbs - Zach Rey: Hopatcong, New Jersey: 3x AA (2,1,3), 2012 NCAA Champ, EIWA Champion, 4x EIWA finalist
 
Second Team
125 lbs - Mario Stuart: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (4,5), 3x EIWA Runner-Up
133 lbs - Mason Beckman: Transfer, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (6,6), EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
141 lbs - Randy Cruz: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: 1x AA (8), 2x EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
149 lbs - Mitch Minotti: Easton, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (8,6), EIWA Runner-Up
157 lbs - Derek Zinck: Upper Perkiomen, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (5,8), EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
165 lbs - Brandon Hatchett: Winter Springs, Florida: 2x AA (2,7), EIWA Champion, 2x EIWA finalist
174 lbs - Brad Dillon: Allentown, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (4,5), 2x EIWA Champion, NCAA #3 seed 
184 lbs - Rob Rohn: Nazareth, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (1,5), 2002 NCAA Champ, EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
197 lbs - Michael Beard: Reading, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (8,7), 2x NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 2x EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
285 lbs - Jordan Wood: Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (3,4), NWCA 2nd Team AA, 5x EIWA Champion
 
Third Team
125 lbs - Luke Stanich:* Roxbury, New Jersey: 1x AA (5), EIWA Champion, NCAA #2 seed
133 lbs - Scott Parker: Sellersville, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (7,8), 2x EIWA Champion
141 lbs - Matt Ciasulli: Easton, Pennsylvania: 3x NCAA qualifier, EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist
149 lbs - Laike Gardner: Biglerville, Pennsylvania: 3x NCAA qualifier, NCAA Round of 12 finisher
157 lbs - Joey Napoli: Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania: 3x NCAA qualifier, EIWA Champion, NCAA #3 seed
165 lbs - Ryan Preisch: New Columbia, Pennsylvania: 1x AA (4), EIWA Champion, 3x EIWA finalist, NCAA #3 seed
174 lbs - Travis Frick: Nazareth, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (6,8), 2x EIWA Champion
184 lbs - Nathaniel Brown: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania: 2x AA (7,2), EIWA Champion, 2x EIWA finalist
197 lbs - Joe Kennedy: Milford, Pennsylvania: 1x AA (8), NCAA Round of 12 finisher
285 lbs - Owen Trephan: Summerville, South Carolina: 1x AA (5), EIWA Champion, 2x ACC Champion, NCAA #4 seed
 
Fun Facts
Lehigh has earned a pair of NCAA team trophies this quarter century (2003/4th, 2004/3rd) During the first 12 years of this quarter century, Lehigh finished in the top ten at NCAA’s on seven occasions Lehigh has finished in the top 20 at NCAA’s in 18 of the last 25 years Only two head coaches have led Lehigh during this span - the late, great Greg Stroebel and current head coach Pat Santoro Lehigh has produced four national champions during this time period, only one of which won as a senior (Rohn) 13 Lehigh wrestlers have made the NCAA finals during this time Lehigh has placed 53 wrestlers on the NCAA podium since 2001 In addition, four wrestlers garnered NWCA All-American honors in 2020 (3x 1st Team and 1x 2nd Team) 7 freshmen have gotten onto the NCAA podium for Lehigh in this quarter century There have been three occasions where two freshmen earned All-American honors in the same year Five Lehigh wrestlers have earned the #1 seed at the NCAA Championships (Trenge x2, Letters, Rey, Cruz) 61 Lehigh wrestlers have earned EIWA Championships since 2001 - including at least one each season Lehigh has captured nine EIWA titles during this period They had a streak with five straight EIWA titles from 2002-06 Jordan Wood (2018-22) became the first five-time EIWA champion Twice during this quarter century has Lehigh qualified all ten wrestlers for nationals (2018, 2021) 16 Lehigh wrestlers have been selected to compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic since 2000-01 Seven wrestlers have won Midlands titles during this span with Trenge being the lone two-timer

Thousands of high school wrestlers in Fargo this week will compete for stop signs and national championships. One already has his hardware from Fargo and is aiming even higher. In between rounds of men’s freestyle competition at the 16U and Junior National Championships was the delayed Final X wrestle-off between world champion Vito Arujau and rising high school senior Jax Forrest. 
Arujau’s status as a returning world medalist allowed him to delay their Final X series from June 14th to July 14th from Fargo, North Dakota. 
Forrest swept the two matches 4-3 in the first and 7-2 in the second. 
Back in 2022, Forrest was a U17 World silver medalist and earlier this year he won the Senior Pan-American Championships. 
With Forrest on the squad, the 2025 Senior World Team will feature seven first-time world team members. Forrest and PJ Duke will wrestle at the World Championships before ever stepping onto a collegiate mat. 
Match one saw Arujau strike first with a takedown off of a picture-esque sweep single. With under a minute remaining in the opening stanza, Arujau looked poised to add onto his lead; however, Forrest scrambled out of a Arujau attack and into a takedown of his own. Early in the second period, action took the pair over to the edge of the mat. Arujau nearly had a second takedown but settled for a step-out point to lead, 3-2. 
Despite some quality action, 3-2 is how the score would remain until the final seconds of the bout. With under :30 seconds remaining, fresh off of a reshot, Arujau got in on a low leg attack. Forrest slipped free of the attack and put pressure on Arujau near the edge. Once Arujau shifted his weight to stay in bounds, Forrest spun around and scored the winning takedown with :05 seconds left in the bout. He would hold on to win, 4-3. 
Forrest set the tone in the second match with an early takedown and immediately transitioned into a turn for a quick 4-0 lead. Arujau was able to get a late takedown but was never able to seriously threaten Forrest.

Team Scores
1. Pennsylvania 151
2. Texas  89
3. Oklahoma  88
4. California  86
5. New Jersey  84
6. Colorado  78
7. Iowa  77
8. Wisconsin  73
9. Tennessee  72
10. Kansas  68

 
16U Women’s Freestyle All-Americans
Championship Finals
95 lbs: Justice Gutierrez (Colorado) over Brooklyn Henry (Pennsylvania)  4-0
100 lbs: Ryleigh Sturgill (Tennessee) over Riley Karwowski (Pennsylvania)  Fall 3:57
105 lbs: Hailey Delgado (Texas) over Gail Sullivan (New York)  7-0
110 lbs: Gabriella Conte (New Jersey) over Aubree Gutierrez (California)  1-0
115 lbs: Reagan Mathers (Arizona) over Marlee Solomon (Pennsylvania)  6-0
120 lbs: Carolyn Geckler (Ohio) over Marie Sharp (New Jersey)  4-4
125 lbs: Victoria Carbonaro (New Jersey) over Neve O’Byrne (Pennsylvania)  14-4
130 lbs: Landri Van Gonten (Texas) over Olivia Bezdicek (Idaho)  10-0
135 lbs: Taina Fernandez (Maryland) over Emily Beckley (Oklahoma)  11-0
140 lbs: Harlow Skenandore (Wisconsin) over Clover Williams (Oklahoma)  9-5
145 lbs: Eve Skrocki (Iowa) over Gray Joyce (Kansas)  6-5
155 lbs: Janiya Johnson (Tennessee) over Symone Jewell (California)  8-4
170 lbs: Kaili Manuel (Michigan) over Sarah Pulk (Minnesota)  9-2
190 lbs: Tevia Nau Rarick (Utah) over JayaShree Bray (Nebraska)  Fall 1:41
207 lbs: Racheal Adolphe (Indiana) over Lulu Kirk (Kansas)  Fall 3:03
235 lbs: Aniyah Smith (Iowa) Eden Hach (South Dakota)  Fall 4:00
 
Third Place Bouts
95 lbs: Olivia Munson (California) over Cidney Schaffer (Pennsylvania)  11-8
100 lbs: Vivienne Popadiuc (New Mexico) over Josie Wilson (Kansas)  Fall 1:29
105 lbs: Emma Faczak (Colorado) over Kirra Mitchell (Georgia)  5-4
110 lbs: Ella Cohen (California) over Winter West (Washington)  10-5
115 lbs: Malia Ottow (Washington) over Kendal Haynie (Florida)  8-2
120 lbs: Abigail Gonzalez (Florida) over Daelin Cody (Wisconsin)  6-5
125 lbs: Sobina Clendaniel (Alaska) over Cristel Miguel (Connecticut)  2-1
130 lbs: Caroline Hilton (Tennessee) over Saige McCleery (Washington)  2-0
135 lbs: Chloe Wehry (Minnesota) over Erin Delling (Missouri)  Fall 3:34
140 lbs: Kesi Tsarni (Maryland) over Audrey Robinson (Oregon)  11-4
145 lbs: Allison Garbacz (Illinois) over Layla Risler (Wisconsin)  7-2
155 lbs: Julia Araujo (North Dakota) over Juliet Alt (Pennsylvania)  Fall 1:33
170 lbs: Ciyanna Okocha (Pennsylvania) over Leolyn Karnowski (Kansas)  6-1
190 lbs: Lyla Hensen (Michigan) over Riley Samarripa (Oklahoma)  Fall 1:46
207 lbs: Abagail Lacy (Oklahoma) over Makayla Ocean (Florida)  Fall :32
235 lbs: Shelby Wells (Texas) over Khloe Henshaw (Alabama)  Fall 1:31
 
Fifth Place Bouts
95 lbs: Kendra Ege (Illinois) over Easton Dadiomoff (Tennessee)  MedFFT
100 lbs: Peggy Susan Dean (Colorado) over Kiana Lien (California)  10-4
105 lbs: Chloe Skiles (Illinois) over Morgan Hyland (Pennsylvania)  MedFFT
110 lbs: Lyric Hetzer (Ohio) over Cora Stewart (Wisconsin)  Fall 3:57
115 lbs: Lucia Ranieri (New Jersey) over Olivia Kearns (Pennsylvania)  9-9
120 lbs: Maya Fiodorova (Nevada) over Mikayla Perkins (Indiana)  11-2
125 lbs: Lilli Cooper (Iowa) over Caitlin Maragioglio (New York)  14-2
130 lbs: Isabella Miller (Iowa) over Ginger Majurin (Michigan)  6-0
135 lbs: Giavonna Good (Utah) over Paisley Morrison (Oregon)  MedFFT
140 lbs: Kelice Luker (Oklahoma) over Keely Fallert (Missouri)  Fall :35
145 lbs: Jameson Strickland (Pennsylvania) over Victoria Alvarado (New York)  7-2
155 lbs: Matilda Hruby (Colorado) over Amalia Djoumessi (Iowa)  8-6
170 lbs: Alexis Penley (Illinois) over Eva Garcia (California) MedFFT
190 lbs: Blake Baker (Texas) over Alyvia Edwards (Oklahoma)  10-0
207 lbs: Alyciana Rogers (Texas) over Autumn King (Wisconsin)  Fall 1:20
235 lbs: Caylee Miller (New Mexico) over Peyton Mullin (New York)  Fall 1:52
 
Seventh Place Bouts
95 lbs: Cassidy O’Connell (Wisconsin) over Lexi Pancoast (Pennsylvania)  11-4
100 lbs: Cameron Hodge (Colorado) over Katelynn Dockery (Texas)  10-0
105 lbs: Emelly Diaz Santos (New Jersey) over Tatianna Castillo (Michigan)  MedFFT
110 lbs: Ali Svancara (Idaho) over Addison Hunt (Texas)  Fall :50
115 lbs: Emma Baker (Michigan) over Hannah Naccarati-Cholo (Arizona)  10-8
120 lbs: Remington Zimmerer (Colorado) over Cameron Leng (Ohio)  Fall 2:55
125 lbs: Claire Lancaster (Oklahoma) over Averie Counts (Kansas)  Fall 1:22
130 lbs: Emma Grimes (Pennsylvania) over Anastasia Rodnikova (Illinois)  Fall 1:34
135 lbs: Erika Sleznikow (Wisconsin) over Avery Fitzgerald (Texas)  Fall 2:33
140 lbs: Kiera DePinet (Ohio) over Sarai Cortez (California)  4-0
145 lbs: Giancarla Garduno (Illinois) over Winry Yaggie (South Dakota)  Fall 4:00
155 lbs: KyLee Tibbs (Ohio) over Siobhan Flanner (Kansas)  9-8
170 lbs: Laila Hustoles (Colorado) over Molly Olague (Idaho)  12-2
190 lbs: Shayla Martinez (Colorado) over Ashley Hoffman (Pennsylvania)  Fall 2:33
207 lbs: Charley Timms (Nevada) over Savada Kitchen (North Carolina)  Fall 1:08
235 lbs: Asreilla Wallace (Illinois) over Kinley Jimenez (Iowa)  Fall 1:51