OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Lindsey Wilson College wrestling program got its first taste of the NAIA National Championships today at Abe Lemons Arena.

The Blue Raiders -- in its inaugural season -- sent nine wrestlers to the mat on the first day of the national championships.

By Richard Skinner

Cincinnati Enquirer

Just six months ago it had appeared as if his life would never be the same again. It was Sept. 17 when Bradford, a 2009 Ryle High School graduate who was last year's Enquirer Northern Kentucky Wrestler of the Year, suffered first- to third-degree burns over his legs and lower back in a bonfire accident during a team gathering off campus.

Bradford spent a month in an induced coma while he underwent skin grafts over 35 percent of his body. He was forced to withdraw from college and had to undergo intense rehabilitation, learning not only to walk again, but also to talk again.

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Jacob Ilg and Keith Klink each posted sixth-place finishes to score 15 team points as the Lindsey Wilson College wrestling team took part in the NAIA East National Qualifer before heading to the national championships.

Klink started the Blue Raiders on a high note as he upset the No. 1 seed at 125 pounds, Tyler Savage from top ranked Notre Dame (Ohio) College, 2-0 in the second round after each wrestler received an opening-round bye. Savage entered the regional qualifier as the second ranked 125 pound wrestler in the NAIA.

NEWBERRY, S. C. -- Steven Rink finished 2-1 at 174 pounds to take second place at the Newberry College Open on Sunday, giving the Lindsey Wilson College wrestling team its 10th qualifier for the NAIA National Championships.

Rink pinned John Blakely from Appalachian State University in 4:37 in his opening match, followed by a 4-3 decision over T.J. Cayruth from Newberry. Rink pulled out of the title match with a medical forfeit, however he had already qualified for the national championship with the second-place finish.