Bockman places sixth at Cliff Keen Invitational in Vegas, jumps to No. 23 nationally
- Van Williams, Alaska Sports Report
- Dec 9, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 21
by Van Williams | Dec 9, 2024 | Alaska Sports Report
Fresh off a sixth-place finish at the prestigious Cliff Keen Invitational over the weekend in Las Vegas, Iowa State wrestler Evan Bockman of Anchorage climbed to 23rd in this week’s national rankings for the 184-pound weight class.
He was one of six Cyclones on the podium as the team finished fifth behind Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Nebraska and champion Oklahoma State.
Bockman, of Grace Christian fame, began his NCAA Division I career at Cal Baptist and then moved on to Utah Valley before he transferred this summer to Iowa State, an 8-time national champion.
“I wanted to be a team that was high performance,” he told The Des Moines Register recently. “I don’t have much time left. I could have gone to other schools, but I wanted to go here because it’s the biggest challenge.”
Bockman won his first three matches in Vegas to reach the semifinals. He picked up a 16-4 major decision, 19-4 tech fall and 8-1 decision.
In the semifinals, he dropped an 11-1 major decision to No. 1 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa. In the consolation bracket, he lost by medical forfeit to No. 3 Bennett Berge of San Diego State.
Bockman’s 3-2 tournament showing improved his season record to 5-3, helping him move up four spots in the rankings at 184.
The Alaskan is loving life in Ames.
“Iowa is incredible. They really love wrestling here, which is awesome to see,” Bockman said. “I have had people coming up to me, they know who I am, they want to know what weight class I’m going for.”
With a 62-39 career record, Bockman ranks ninth on Alaska’s all-time wins list at the D1 level. He’s No. 2 among active wrestlers, just four wins behind Campbell University senior Levi Hopkins, a former Colony High standout who owns a 66-28 career record. Hopkins is yet to compete this season.
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