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Release Date: 
Thursday, March 23, 2017

Wrestler Austin Koehler Earns All-American Honors

Henry Ford College Wrestler Austin Koehler Earns All-American Honors at National Championships
Henry Ford College Wrestler Austin Koehler Earns All-American Honors at National Championships

Austin Koehler, a member of the HFC Wrestling Club, earned All-American honors with an 8th place finish in the 125-pound weight class at National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships in Allen, Tex., on March 11.

A total of 98 teams from throughout U.S. competed at the NCWA National Championships, according to HFC wrestling Coach Grant MacKenzie.

Koehler, a three-time NCWA national qualifier, lost 6-7 in the quarterfinals to Byron Smith, the number one seed from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

“It was a very close, very hard-fought battle. Austin had plenty of fire and plenty of drive. I’m extremely proud of his performance at the National Championships and how he comported himself on and off the mat. He represented HFC quite well,” said MacKenzie.

Koehler, of Belleville, has been a member of the HFC Wrestling Club since 2014. Prior to attending the NCWA National Championships, Koehler took second place in his weight class at the NCWA Great Lakes Conference (GLC) earlier this month, where a total of 12 teams from Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana competed.

A 2014 alumnus of Belleville High School where he was on the wrestling team all four years and served as captain for three of those four years, Koehler is currently in HFC’s Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) program. He is slated to graduate with his associate degree in 2018.

“It was one battle to remember. I’d like to thank all my friends, family and teammates for supporting me and pushing me forward. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now, especially without my coach’s help. It was a great, GREAT experience to be with all these guys. It was extremely tough competition. If you go in there ready for battle, you’ll definitely come out happy,” said Koehler.