Positive news, in any form, is welcomed by college athletes in these uncertain times.
Wrestler Michael Kemerer received an uplifting boost from the NCAA over the weekend as the Iowa senior and Franklin Regional graduate was granted a sixth year of eligibility.
That means he will get another shot at a NCAA title next season and has a chance to become a four-time All-American.
“I was confident I was going to get it,” Kemerer told Hawkeyesports.com. “I never really worried about it, but it is nice to know now. I was able to tell my family, friends and girlfriend. It was welcome news, but there was not much of a celebration. It was more, ‘hey, we got good news and now we can move on.’”
The Big Ten runner-up and NCAA qualifier at 174 pounds also was recognized as an All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association — junior teammate Spencer Lee received the same recognition, along with eight other Hawkeyes — after finishing 15-1 and earning the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which was canceled because of the coronavirus.
6th year granted✅ #GrandpaMike https://t.co/sRaaECElQg
— Michael Kemerer (@Kem_Daughg65) April 19, 2020
Kemerer gets a clock extension following a redshirt year in 2015-16 and a hardship waiver, a result of an injury that wiped out his junior season.
“We should have a strong team next year. I am excited for it and already ready to compete again,” Kemerer said. “We are bringing a lot of guys back, but it is a new season now, so we are going to have to go out and earn it again. You don’t take your accomplishments from last year into the next year, so we have to be looking forward, but we have a good team and it is going to be a fun year.”
