Newman wrestler makes national championship after tournament cancelation a year earlier

WICHITA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - It was a year ago that dozens of college wrestlers descended upon South Dakota for the NCAA DII National tournament, all to be told the night before that the competition had been canceled due to COVID-19.

Newman University’s Kameron Frame was one of those wrestlers; after being robbed of that opportunity last year, Frame has worked his way back to the big stage this year.

Frame is a 2-time All-American wrestler, hoping to make it three time, but something that’s slipped through his fingers the last two years is a national DII title.

“It was heartbreaking for sure. We got the call while we were heading back to the hotel the night before, we had all practiced, we were all down to weight and then we actually saw on twitter that it got canceled,” said Newman redshirt junior Kameron Frame.

Less than 24 hours before taking the mat at nationals last year, the NCAA called off the tournament because of COVID-19.

Newman’s head wrestling coach Ryan Smith said, “It was absolutely heartbreaking. Not just heartbreaking for the two guys that we had there but the other teams that were there too. These guys bust their tail all year long.”

Two years ago, Frame had a season-ending shoulder injury during his national quarterfinal match. He’s hoping the third year is the charm.

“This is my third appearance at the NCAA tournament. We don’t have as many competitors this year, not as many people were allowed to qualify. I’m grateful to be back,” said Frame.

“Some of those goals start at a very young age. We’re talking about a kid who’s probably wrestled since he was probably about five or six years old,” said Smith. “He’s had dreams since then, ‘Hey I’m going to wrestling on the big stage and I’m going to win a national title.’”

As a former Goddard Lion, Frame is used to success. Since finishing 6th at nationals two years ago because of that injury, he’s only lost a handful of matches.

Frame as well as Ft. Hays State’s A.J. Cooper are headed to St. Louis for this year’s NCAA DII national tournament, which begins Friday, March 12.

At the D1 level, two former Newton High wrestlers are competing at the NCAA championship tournament beginning March 18th, Logan Treaster at Navy and Wyatt Hendrickson with Air Force.

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