Wrestlers Crist & Gomer Make History With National Tournament Qualification
Posted February 16, 2026 at 10:14 amPenn Highlands Community College freshmen Alex Crist and Zach Gomer have earned spots in the NJCAA Wrestling Championships following their performances in the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament at Lackawanna College on Saturday.
Crist (New Paris, PA) earned a fifth-place finish at 197 pounds, while Gomer (North Charleston, SC) took fourth in the 133-pound bracket to become the first-ever Black Bears wrestlers to reach the national tournament.
The pair will have the chance to cap off Penn Highlands’ inaugural season with an All-American honor at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on March 6-7.
“To have two national qualifiers in the first year of our program is a blessing,” stated Willie Harris, Head Wrestling Coach at Penn Highlands Community College. “It reflects our athletes’ commitment, support from our administration, and the belief that success comes from building the right way from day one. This is just the beginning. We’re not just chasing moments; we’re building a tradition.”
Gomer began the day with a 14-5 major decision victory over Garrett College’s Keon Gavin, before falling to 2025 All-American Amantee Mills of Andrew College by technical fall in the semifinals.
He then rebounded to pin Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s Bryson Free in 3:29 to clinch a trip to the national tournament and a spot in the third-place match. Gomer squared off with Salvatore Randazzo of Union College, but fell in sudden victory, 4-1.
“It’s an honor to help achieve this landmark for the College,” Gomer stated. “We’re doing our best to put Penn Highlands on the map. I didn’t get the outcome I wanted, a first-place finish, but I’m going to work even harder to earn a spot on the podium at nationals.”
Crist overcame a 12-1 major decision loss to Garrett College’s Liam Debaugh in his opening match by securing a 10-9 decision victory over Jordan Payne of Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester.
He then fell to Andrew College’s Jason Brown by technical fall. Needing a win to advance, Crist pinned Lackawanna College’s Adan Salazar in the fifth-place match.
“This is a great feeling,” Crist stated. “I got off to a rough start, but I’m glad I was able to end things the right way. Overall, I’m happy that we got the opportunity to compete and we’re looking forward to doing even better in a few weeks.”
Omar Parker (Duquesne, PA) placed seventh in the 174-pound bracket.
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- Pennsylvania Highlands freshman Alex Crist has his hand raised following a victory by fall over Lackawanna College’s Adan Salazar in the fifth-place match of the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Lackawanna College in Scranton.
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- Pennsylvania Highlands freshman Zach Gomer has his hand raised after pinning Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s Bryson Free during the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Lackawanna College in Scranton.
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- Members of the Pennsylvania Community College Wrestling Team, including, from left, Assistant Coach Ron Kakabar, Alex Crist, Zach Gomer, and Head Coach Willie Harris pose for a photo following the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Lackawanna College in Scranton.
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- Pennsylvania Highlands freshman Zach Gomer, left, poses on the podium with his fourth-place medal at 133 pounds following the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Lackawanna College in Scranton.