ALL-AMERICAN GRAPPLER — Augustana University sophomore Jaxson Rohman (left) prepares to lock up with St. Cloud State University’s Paxton Creese during regular-season wrestling action in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rohman captured second place in the 125-pound division of the NCAA Division II national championships on March 11 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to earn All-American wrestling honors this season. (Photo courtesy of the Augustana University Sports Information Department)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Augustana University sophomore wrestler Jaxson Rohman took the first step toward becoming an NCAA Division II national champion on March 11.

Rohman, the Martin County Red Bull co-operative program’s all-time career wins leader, earned All-American honors by capturing second place at 125 pounds during the two-day national tournament at the Alliant Energy Power House facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rohman and Brendan Garcia of Adams State matched one another move-for-move during the Division II gold-medal clash’s scoreless opening 3 minutes before Garcia escaped from the down position to open the second period.

The Trimont native utilized his quickness and power to record a takedown to grab a 2-1 lead over Garcia, with the Adams State sophomore eventually escaping again with 8 seconds left in the middle segment for a tie score.

Rohman had the choice of up, down or neutral to start the third period, and opted for both grapplers to start standing at center circle.

“Usually, I’d choose to go down 98 percent of the time, but he’s one of the strongest wrestlers I’ve faced in my two years at the collegiate level,” said Rohman, who held 29 seconds of riding time to that juncture. If a college grappler accumulates 1 minute of riding time, that wrestler earns an extra point.

“I didn’t want to lose by him riding me out and I’m best on my feet and needed a takedown to win anyway, so I went against the conventional odds a little,” explained Rohman.

Rohman’s strategy worked for 1 minute and 52 seconds of the 2-minute third period, with the championship match appearing headed for overtime. Garcia, however, used a lightning-quick double-leg takedown to record the winning two points at the edge of the mat with just 8 seconds to go.

“It was a tough decision, but I wouldn’t change it,” said Rohman, who closed out his second collegiate season with an 18-6 individual record. “Obviously, my goal was to win the national title, but don’t get me wrong — I’m still very happy about placing second and earning All-American honors.

“My goal going into this season was to make the top five and I exceeded that, so it’s all positive.”

Rohman generated an impressive 17-7 record, including a 4-1 record during the 2022 Central Regional championships to qualify for the national meet as a freshman.

Augustana’s 125-pound standout compiled a 1-2 record during the NCAA D-II nationals a year ago to finish one victory shy of capturing All-American honors — a top-eight showing — via not advancing to Day 2 of the elite meet.

“Not advancing to the final day of last year’s nationals definitely motivated me during the offseason,” said Rohman. “I was way more prepared this season by learning from my time on the mat the year before.

“I definitely learned that every single match at this level is a grind, and you have to be more mentally prepared from knowing what you do best and knowing what your opponents rely on to score points.”

In fact, Rohman’s newfound philosophy paid huge dividends in the form of a hard-fought 4-3 victory over five-time All-American and two-time national champion Cole Laya of West Liberty during their 125-pound national semifinal on March 11 in Cedar Rapids.

“I watched one of his matches during Day 1 (March 10), and I also had seen him wrestle during the national duals,” Rohman said in reference to Laya. “I had confidence that I could wear him down with my stamina, so I stuck with what I do best.

“I kind of anticipated what he was looking for from a ‘taking a shot perspective,’ so it came down to me countering and executing my game plan.”

Rohman sent Laya sprawling on a first-period takedown during their national semifinal before the West Liberty grappler reversed the Augustana sophomore for a 2-all deadlock.

“I picked both up to start the second (period) and neither one of us scored,” said Rohman. “In the third, he (Laya) picked bottom and escaped for a 3-2 lead. I then used a gator roll and took him down with 30 seconds to go and rode him out for the win.”

Rohman gained Day 2 of the national meet by avenging a loss in the regionals to Wisconsin-Parkside’s Shane Corrigan. Rohman, who downed Corrigan during their regular-season dual meet, posted a 6-4 quarterfinal win on March 10 to reach the final four.

The Augustana sophomore phenom opened the nationals by besting Gannon’s Jose Diaz by an 8-3 first-round decision on March 10.

So, after capturing All-American honors, what’s next on Rohman’s agenda?

“We’ve got two weeks off, and then it’s back to lifting three days a week and practicing two days a week,” said Rohman. “I’ll stay with that schedule until school’s out and then probably work out four days a week during the summer.

“It’ll be nice to be able to work out with (Augustana wrestler) Miles (Fitzgerald), (Augie grappler) Connor (Simmonds), along with my brothers Carver and Pierce (Rohman), and Maddex (Faber),” Jaxson Rohman said in reference to five of his former Red Bull teammates.

Jaxson Rohman, the Red Bulls’ all-time wins leader with 264, captured all-state wrestling accolades with top-six medalist performances during all six of his seasons at the varsity prep level. Rohman won Class AA individual state championships in both 2018 and 2021.

Jaxson Rohman, who is the son of Jamie and Steve Rohman of Trimont and a 2021 Martin County West graduate, is majoring in nursing in pursuit of becoming an anesthesiologist.