TULSA, OK- Ethan Laird wrapped up Day 2 competition Friday at the NCAA Wrestling Championships after securing an All-America honor, as he advanced to the semifinals at the NCAA Wrestling Championships after his 3-2 decision win over #12 Zac Braunagel of Illinois. 
 

Laird is now the eighth Rider All-American in the last nine seasons, including six NCAA All-Americans and two NWCA All-Americans. Laird is also the 19th Bronc all time to reach the podium at NCAAs, while picking up career win 100 vs Braunagel.
 

Laird would fall in the semi's to top-seeded Nino Bonaccorsi of Pittsburgh by a 10-4 decision. Laird will still compete in wrestlebacks to contend for a third-place finish, which would be the highest for a Bronc since Jesse Dellavecchia was the national runner up in 2021. Prior to Dellavecchia's finish, the next-highest placewinner dates back to 2009 when Doug Umbehauer took third at NCAA's.
 

The honor is Laird's second, as he was named an NWCA All-America Honorable Mention selection as the No. 16 seed entering NCAA's when the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, but his first NCAA All-America honor, signifying a top eight finish at the national tournament. Laird becomes Rider's first NCAA All-American and National Semifinalist since Jesse Dellavecchia advanced to the finals in 2021.   

Quotes and Notes
-" Ethan is what I want athletes in this programs to aspire to be and become. Ethan deserves the honor of being an All American for his dedication to himself, his work ethic, character and drive to be the best.  I could not be more proud of his development as a young man and a wrestler and our program is thankful for his commitment to those values."- Rider Head Coach John Hangey

- Laird picked up his 100th career win for the Broncs vs Zac Braunagel of Illinois.
- Laird is now the eighth Rider All-American in the last nine seasons
- Brackets can be found here, and matches are being streamed on ESPN+.