Team Standings

Individual Brackets

La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team finished third at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships in Festival Foods Arena at the La Crosse Center Saturday night. The Eagles totaled 76.5 points while Wartburg College (Iowa) took the national tite with 117.0 and Augsburg College (Minn.) was second with 88.5. 

Ithaca College (N.Y.) placed fourth (72.5) and Coe College (Iowa) was fifth (67.0). Saint John's University, Minn. was sixth (64.5) while Concordia-Moorhead, Minn. was seventh (52.0). The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, N.Y. and the University of Mount Union, Ohio tied for eighth (37.0) while Elmhurst College, Ill. was 10th (32.0). A total of 60 teams competed. 

It is UW-L's fifth straight top-three finish under head coach Dave Malecek. The Eagles were also third in 2007 and 2009 while placing second in 2008 and 2010.

“I thought we did very well," said Malecek. "We definitely improved today and we came out with a lot of fire and passion. I thought our young guys wrestled very well.  

"I am extremely proud of all of our guys, but especially the five guys we had today that placed for us, and compared to yesterday, I was extremely honored to be a coach for these great group of guys not only this weekend, but the entire year as a whole,” added Malecek. "I thought we had a rough day yesterday (Friday) both physically and emotionally, and we talked about that last night at the hotel." 

UW-L's Bebeto Yewah captured his second straight NCAA III title Saturday, winning the 141-pounddivision with a 4-3 victory over second-seeded Jeremy Stierly of Ithaca College (N.Y.) in the championship match. Yewah, seeded first this year, won the 133-pound title last season.

Yewah earned a major decision (14-5) over fourth-seeded Chris Albright of York University (N.Y.) in the semifinals Saturday morning.

The top-seed at 141, Yewah won by major decision (18-8) over Ces Antista of Williams College (Mass.) in his first match Friday before a win by decision (6-1) over eighth-seed Davis Alsieux of Centenary University (N.J.) in the quarterfinals. 

Yewah went 4-0 in the national tournament and finishes the season 27-2. 

“I don't think it has hit me yet," said Yewah. "It may not for a couple of days.” Yewah said it was exciting to wrestle in front of the home crowd. "It is definitely something that I want to strive to do and get back here next year when we host it at the La Crosse Center in 2012," added Yewah.

"We knew we had a chance to get third as a team, and there's not a better wrestler at 141 pounds than Bebeto Yeweh at 141 pounds in the nation," said Malecek. "I was very proud of him, a two-time national champion now, and the way he wrestled tonight for us." 

The Eagles' Albie McKinney finished second at 125-pounds Saturday night, falling 11-8 to top-seeded Clayton Rush of Coe College (Iowa) in the title match. McKinney advanced to the championship final with a 2-1 victory over third-seeded Mark Kist of Wartburg College (Iowa) in the semifinals. 

McKinney, who has earned his first career NCAA III All-America honor, was the third seed this season. He  defeated Steve Godine of The College of New Jersey by major decision (12-1) in his first match Friday before a win by fall (2:10) over Carl Deluca of UW-Oshkosh in the quarterfinals. 

McKinney went 3-1 at this year's tournament and finishes the year with a record of 21-8. He wraps up his career with an overall mark of 53-24.

On his championship match, McKinney said he didn't want to go out with any regrets. "I just wanted to keep the same game plan that I had all weekend," said McKinney. "I wanted to get to my offense and really not hold anything back in my quest for the title. That's where a lot of people get in trouble is being timid and not getting into their individual offense. 

"I was bound and determined to not let that happen. I feel like I wrestled whistle to whistle very well, and the match could have gone either way,” added McKinney.

"Albie McKinney was our Cinderella story at the meet," said Malecek.

Mike Schmitz placed third Saturday at 174-pounds while Adam Sheley was fifth at 133-pounds and Billy Mayer sixth at 285-pounds. All three earned NCAA Division IIl All-America honors. 

It's the third straight award for Schmitz, who won the national title in 2010 and placed fourth in 2009. Sheley and Mayer earned their first career All-America award.