Yoshi Funakoshi got off to a strong start at the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament, getting a 17–0 win in his first match. After winning by a pin in his second match, the Embry-Riddle junior just got by Sammy Shires from Cumberland University with a 9–8 win. Funakoshi then picked up two more wins and claimed the national championship at 141 pounds.
He was not the only Eagle to stand atop the podium in Wichita. Heavyweight Kenny Copley had two one-point wins during the tournament, including in the semifinals. In the championship match versus Koen Mattern from Hastings, the score was 0–0 until the final six seconds of the first period, when Copley got the pin.
Also for Embry-Riddle Saturday, Daniil Gorshkov placed third at 174 pounds and Trenton Blomquist finished fifth at 197 pounds. As a team, the Eagles came in fourth place at the national tournament.