Cornell University Athletics

* NCAA Qualifier (2013, 2014)

At Cornell
2013-14: Bennett earned his first EIWA title as part of a 31-11 season. A second-team All-Ivy League selection, Bennett made his second straight NCAA appearance, winning a pair of matches, including a 5-4 triumph over No. 8 Phillip Wellington of Ohio in the wrestlebacks. He captured a pair of falls on his way to the EIWA finals, then used a last-second reversal to defeat Binghamton’s Cody Reed in the finals by a 5-4 score. He earned a big pin with his third period fall of No. 20 Chris Penny of Virginia Tech at the National Duals and finished second at the Binghamton Open, seventh at the Southern Scuffle and first at the New York State Intercollegiates.

2012-13: Bennett qualified for his first NCAA tournament with a third place finish at the EIWA championships at 197 pounds. The Big Red sophomore went 4-1 with two pins and a major decision. Bennett is second on the team in falls this season with 13. In duals, he had a 10-6 record and finished dual competition with a 6-3 decision over No. 19 Nathan Burak of Iowa at the National Duals. With four wins, including three falls and a major decision, Bennett won the New York State Intercollegiate title. He also placed seventh at the Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle. Bennett is fourth on the team in wins with 30, including six over NCAA qualifiers.

2011-12: Bennett notched a 16-7 overall record in his rookie campaign, including eight bonus wins. He opened the season at heavyweight placing second at the Binghamton Open. Bennett dropped down to 197 pounds to win the New York State Championships and take second at the Edinboro Open. 

Prior to Cornell
Bennett was a Texas state champion and three-time medalist, also finishing second and fourth. He also placed twice at NHSCA Nationals, taking sixth as a junior and eighth as a senior. Last year, while competing for the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club, Bennett earned a spot on the podium in several open tournaments. He was the champion at the Edinboro Open, took third at the National Collegiate Open, fourth at Buffalo and fifth at Binghamton. Bennett was a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal
Jace Vinson Bennett is the son of Joel and Leslie Bennett and has a younger brother and a younger sister. He is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.