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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Kutztown University junior Jeff Reimel (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) put an exclamation point on the best season of his career Saturday. Earning All-America honors Friday, Reimel closed out Saturday by winning the fifth-place match at 184 pounds to cap the 2018 NCAA National Championships at the US Cellular Center.
 
The podium finish improved KU to 17th place with 13.5 points. Kutztown celebrates its 10th straight season with an All-America wrestler.
 
Reimel had as tough a schedule as anyone Saturday. He wrestled three matches, all of whom featured wrestlers ranked in the top-four in the country. He closed out the day with his best performance though, controlling an 11-3 major decision over No. 4 Bradley Metz of Findlay to win fifth.
 
He competed in his first career national semifinal to open the day Saturday, but was tested against the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country, JaVaughn Perkins of Colorado State Pueblo. Reimel, ranked ninth at 184, rode an inspired stretch of postseason success and confidence into his semi, but his athleticism and talent were matched by Perkins in a physical match. Perkins scored early and wore Reimel down, winning a 12-1 major decision.
 
Reimel moved into the consolation bracket against No. 2 Jordan Murphy of Ashland. Murphy scored multiple takedowns, Reimel kept himself in the match with escapes, but was unable score offensively in a 10-6 decision, moving him into the fifth-place match.
 
Reimel closes his season with a 17-10 record, and returns next season as a senior leader for the Golden Bears.
 
 
Kutztown Results
 
184 - #9 Jeff Reimel (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) (5th Place)
Champ: #1 JaVaughn Perkins (Colorado State Pueblo) major dec. #9 Reimel (KU), 12-1
Cons: #2 Jordan Murphy (Ashland) dec. #9 Reimel (KU), 10-6
5th Place Match: #9 Reimel (KU) major dec. #4 Bradley Metz (Findlay), 11-3