Tyler Hinton Becomes All-American

The Ottawa Braves Men’s Wrestling team has gained their first All-American for the 
program. Tyler Hinton, a wildcard, survived to the blood rounds of the NAIA 
National Championships. 
 
In wrestling, the blood round is the final round to become an All-American. A win in 
the blood round guarantees a place in the top eight. “It’s cool,” junior Hinton said on 
the subject of being the first All-American in Ottawa University history. “It is like 
being back in high school, being the first person to win state in my high school.” 
 
Hinton is a junior transfer from Northwest Kansas Technical College in Baltimore, 
Md. In Maryland, he was the 2011 state champion at 140 pounds. 
 
The 141-pound wrestler gained entrance into the national championship by NAIA 
coaches’ votes after placing fifth at the Central National Qualifier.

“At first I didn’t think I wasn’t going to get the wildcard which bummed me out,” Hinton said. “Then 

when I got the wildcard I got pumped up.” 
 
His first match was against senior Dillan Schouw of Life University. Hinton was 
pinned in this match, but Schouw did not go on to become an All-American wrestler. 

“I got cold feet,” Hinton said. “I was very overwhelmed about being at Nationals. 
After the nerves went down, I got back in the game.” 
 
His next match was against first year student Austin Meyn, of Cumberland 
University. Hinton pinned his opponent at the beginning of the second period, 
moving him forward in the consolation bracket. 
 
The next two matches were against Bobby Ehman, a foirst year student from 
Cumberlands University and A.J. Valles, a senior from Simpson University and a 
returning All-American. Both matches were pins and the win over Valles gained 
Hinton the All-American status.

“Its pretty cool, being the first person to get three pins at nationals,” Hinton said. 
 
 
Kasey Crump made it to the blood round but was pinned in a headlock at the 
beginning of the first period.

“I felt like I let everyone at home down when I didn’t make into the finals,” Crump said, reflecting on his last match. “I felt like I let my 
friend who past away down as well.”

The Ottawa braves placed 24 out of 43 teams while only qualifying two wrestlers,Tyler Hinton at 141 and junior Kasey Crump, at 197.