CLEVELAND, Ohio – Melvin Rubio of the Queens University of Charlotte men's wrestling team made program history on Friday, as the sophomore became the first Royals' wrestler to ever record a win at the NCAA Division II Men's Wrestling Championship. Competing at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Rubio went 1-2 on the day, including an upset victory, before ultimately falling short of the chance to advance to day two of competition. 
 
A sophomore from Candler, N.C., Rubio was one of 180 wrestlers from 57 different schools across the country to compete on day one of competition on Friday. Matched up against the No. 1 overall wrestler in the country at the 125-pound weight class to start the day off, Rubio suffered a 13-3 decision loss to Lindenwood's Carlos Jacquez, who entered the match at a perfect 26-0 record. 
 
Facing elimination in his next match in the double-elimination tournament, Rubio faced an uphill battle as he was set to take on Maleek Williams of Upper Iowa, the reigning NCAA DII Championship runner-up from last year's tournament in the 125-pound class. Despite his 22-12 overall record this season, Rubio went on to pin Williams only 1:41 into the match to earn the first NCAA Championship win in program history for Queens. 
 
"Melvin Rubio getting the win showed he can compete with anyone," said head wrestling coach Rob Tate. "The experience was invaluable."
 
Competing in his third and ultimately final match of the night, Rubio was unable to overcome Maryville's Tyler Kreith, dropping the match by an 8-1 decision. Rubio came one win away from being named an All-American. 
 
"He now he has 365 days to think about coming up just a little short," said Tate. "If I know Melvin, he will be better because of it."