ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend sophomore wrestler Jake Paulson (Erie, PA/McDowell) is headed to the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday held at Ferrum College in Roanoke, Virginia at the Berglund Center.

Paulson, competing at the 184 weight class, will face the winner of Tevin Baily of Dubuque and Solomon Nielsen of Ausburg in his first match on Friday morning. He becomes the first wrestler to represent the Lions on the national stage in the short two-year renewal of the sport.

Paulson will need to win four matches in a row to be crowned a national champion or finish in the Top 8 to be named an All-American. The sophomore leads the team with a 28-3 overall record and 12 falls, while posting three technical falls and three major decisions. Paulson won five matches in a row at the NCAA Southeast Regional to place third overall and punch his ticket to the dance.

The tournament is double elimination with the finals on Saturday night.