Former Dawson County Tiger wrestler Thomas Kimbrell was named to one of 52 total at-large qualifiers for the 2009 NCAA Division-I Wrestling National Championships, announced Wednesday, March 11 by the NCAA.

The National Championship Tournament will be held March 19-21 at the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Kimbrell earned his bid by placing fifth in the 133 pounds weight class during the PAC-10 Championship. Kimbrell was in a weight class in which the top three finishers earned automatic bids.

Kimbrell wrestled for the Tigers where he finished as the AA state champion at 119 pounds in 2004 and the runner-up at 112 in 2003. He helped lead Dawson County to the AA team championship in 2003 and 2004. He was the team MVP in 2003 and co-captain in 2003 and 2004.

The former Tiger won the starting spot at 133 pounds his junior season for Bakersfield. He finished with a 19-12 overall record. Some of his highlights include: going 5-1 to place third at the Fullerton Open and winning 10 consecutive matches mid-season.

He is currently 25-12 for in his senior season.

Kimbrell earned PAC-10 All-Academic first team honors and was named to the NCAA D-I National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team.