ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - For the second-straight season, the Ouachita Tigers wrestling team finished in the top five at the NCAA DII National Championships. Under first-year head coach Chris Chionuma, the Tigers had four wrestlers earn All-American honors, including senior Dallas Smith, who earned the program's first national title, by winning the 184-pound individual championship.

In just its fifth year of existence, Ouachita's wrestling program has produced 14 All-Americans, two National runner-ups, one National champion and two Regional champions. Besides earning the national crown, Smith also finished his career as the program's first four-time All-American. Nate Rodriguez (2x), Josh Myers (3x) and Payne Hatter all earned All-American honors at this year's championships.

Smith defeated Nick Burghardt of Maryville University in the 184-pound final by 4-3 decision. This was the sixth time the two competitors had met in head-to head competition in their careers, with Smith winning all six matches. He was 4-0 against Burghardt in 2014-15. Smith finishes his career placing four consecutive years at nationals. He finished sixth in 2012, national runner-up in 2013, third in 2014 and as national champion in 2015.

Sophomore Nate Rodriguez finished third in the 133-pound bracket, improving on his seventh-place finish in 2014. Rodriguez rebounded from a triple-overtime semi-final loss to the eventual national champion and made his way through to the consolation bracket. In the consolation finals, he defeated Dakota Bauer of Maryville, 6-1, to finish in third.

Senior Josh Myers entered the tournament hoping to avenge a questionable loss in last year's 141-pound final. After an opening round major decision win, Myers was defeated by Nebraska-Kearney's Keith Surber. Myers won two consecutive matches to earn a spot in the consolation semi-finals. A loss there matched him up yet again with Surber for a shot at fifth place. Despite a hard-fought match, Myers would drop the match to Surber and finish sixth. He ends his career at Ouachita as a three-time All-American.

Payne Hatter lost a one-point decision to open the tournament, but responded with two straight wins by fall to get to the consolation semi-finals. Last year's Junior College National Champion was defeated by decision in the consolation semis, but once again rebounded with a win by fall in the first period over Colorado Mesa's Randy Boerner to finish seventh in the 174-pound bracket.

Three-time All-American Garrett Evans wrestled hard in his two matches, but was unable to get his his fourth consecutive All-American honor. The senior finished his career at Ouachita as a three-time All-American.

For team results and full brackets, click here.
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2015 NCAA Division II Championships Results for Ouachita Baptist University
125 - Garrett Evans (20-10) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
,,,,Champ. Round 1 - Joshua Kieffer (University of Indianapolis) 19-6 won by decision over Garrett Evans (Ouachita Baptist University) 20-10 (Dec 3-0)
,,,,Cons. Round 1 - Matthew Turek (Gannon University) 18-4 won by decision over Garrett Evans (Ouachita Baptist University) 20-10 (Dec 7-6)
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133 - Nate Rodriguez (33-3) placed 3rd and scored 14.50 team points.
,,,,Champ. Round 1 - Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist University) 33-3 won by fall over Zachary Shank (Western State Colorado University) 21-14 (Fall 2:26)
,,,,Quarterfinal - Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist University) 33-3 won in sudden victory - 1 over Aldon Isenburg (Shorter University) 24-13 (SV-1 8-4)
,,,,Semifinal - Daniel DeShazer (Nebraska-Kearney) 39-5 won in tie breaker - 1 over Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist University) 33-3 (TB-1 2-1)
,,,,Cons. Semi - Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist University) 33-3 won by decision over Mike Rhone (St. Cloud State) 22-7 (Dec 7-2)
,,,,3rd Place Match - Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist University) 33-3 won by decision over Dakota Bauer (Maryville University of St. Louis) 14-12 (Dec 6-1)
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141 - Josh Myers (26-5) placed 6th and scored 9.00 team points.
,,,,Champ. Round 1 - Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 won by major decision over Preston Bowshier (Wheeling Jesuit University) 28-11 (MD 17-3)
,,,,Quarterfinal - Keith Surber (Nebraska-Kearney) 26-11 won by major decision over Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 (MD 16-7)
,,,,Cons. Round 2 - Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 won by decision over Daniel Salazar (Colorado Mesa University) 31-9 (Dec 8-6)
,,,,Cons. Round 3 - Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 won by decision over Darren Wynn (McKendree University) 45-14 (Dec 10-6)
,,,,Cons. Semi - Michael Screptock (Tiffin University) 23-11 won by decision over Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 (Dec 6-4)
,,,,5th Place Match - Keith Surber (Nebraska-Kearney) 26-11 won by decision over Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist University) 26-5 (Dec 8-4)
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174 - Payne Hatter (30-8) placed 7th and scored 11.00 team points.
,,,,Champ. Round 1 - Terrence Zaleski (North Carolina-Pembroke) 34-5 won by decision over Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist University) 30-8 (Dec 3-2)
,,,,Cons. Round 1 - Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist University) 30-8 won by fall over Caleb Copeland (Chadron State) 25-16 (Fall 6:53)
,,,,Cons. Round 2 - Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist University) 30-8 won by fall over Zachary Zelcs (Gannon University) 11-4 (Fall 5:35)
,,,,Cons. Round 3 - Jacob Begin (Southwest Minnesota State) 30-6 won by decision over Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist University) 30-8 (Dec 10-4)
,,,,7th Place Match - Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist University) 30-8 won by fall over Randy Boerner (Colorado Mesa University) 28-16 (Fall 2:20)
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184 - Dallas Smith (29-1) placed 1st and scored 21.00 team points.
,,,,Champ. Round 1 - Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist University) 29-1 won by fall over Johnathon Costa (San Francisco State) 20-18 (Fall 1:32)
,,,,Quarterfinal - Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist University) 29-1 won by decision over Andre Petroski (Kutztown Univ. Of Pennsylvania) 23-10 (Dec 6-3)
,,,,Semifinal - Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist University) 29-1 won by decision over Dakota DesLauriers (Mercyhurst University) 25-13 (Dec 4-1)
,,,,1st Place Match - Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist University) 29-1 won by decision over Nick Burghardt (Maryville University of St. Louis) 34-8 (Dec 4-3)