Louisville, Ky. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team captured the U.S. Marine Corps/National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Multi-Division National Duals Friday at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The duals are presented by the ARMS Software, Capitol Construction & Defense Soap, hosted by NUWAY.
UWL earned a 21-16 win over fifth-ranked North Central College (Ill.) in Friday's semifinals before a 31-9 victory over third-ranked Wabash College (Ind.) in the championship match.
It is the Eagles' first NWCA National Duals title in school history. UWL has now finished at least fifth in seven of the last 11 NWCA Multi-Division National Duals, including second in 2011 and third in 2012. UWL was fifth in 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2016.
North Central (Ill.) took a 6-0 lead in the semifinals as Julian Valtierrez won by decision (7-2) over UWL's
Brandon Murphy at 125-pounds. Robbie Precin's win by decision (5-3) over
Sawyer Sarbacker at 133 gave the Cardinals a 6-0 advantage. The Eagles quickly tied it as
Tyler Shackle won by fall (:48) over Bradley Rosen at 141-pounds.
Alex Villar gave North Central (Ill.) a 10-6 lead at 149-pounds with a major decision victory (10-2) over
Jake Mandt. UWL took a 12-10 lead with a pair of decisions at 157 and 165.
Nolan Hertel defeated Cole Cervantes at 157 (4-2) while
Nick Fetzner earned the win over Payton Geigner at 165 (11-5). North Central (Ill.) regained the lead at 13-12 with Joey Jens' decision (6-1) over UWL's Logan Clark at 174-pounds.
UWL's
Kalyn Jahn won by fall (3:00) over Mateen Taylor at 184-pounds to give the Eagles a 18-13 advantage. Cody Baldridge won by decision (6-4) over
Isaac Lahr at 197-pounds for the Cardinals to cut the lead to 18-16.
Ben Kawczynski secured the win for UWL with a decision (3-0) over Robby Bates at 285-pounds.
The Eagles raced out to a 19-0 lead in their victory over Wabash (Ind.) in the title match. Murphy opened with a win by decision (5-3 sudden victory) over Carlos Champagne at 125-pounds. Sarbacker followed with a win by decision (3-0) over Blake McGee at 133 to make it 6-0. Shackle earned his second win by fall Friday, defeating Andrew Sinkovics (1:21) at 141-pounds.
Mandt won by sudden victory (8-6) over TJ Driessens at 149-pounds and Hertel won by major decision (12-3) over Tyson Nisley at 157-pounds to make it 19-0. Wabash (Ind.) got the board at 165-pounds with Kyle Hatch winning by decision (9-2) over
Seth Brossard to cut the lead to 19-3. Clark won by decision (5-0) over Raymond Arebalo at 174-pounds and Jahn won by fall (1:42) over Charles Baczek at 184 to give UWL a 28-3 lead. It was Jahn's second win by fall of the day.
Jack Heldt won by fall (3:59) over Lahr at 197-pounds for Wabash (Ind.) while Kawczynski won by decision (7-1) over Isaiah McWilliams at 285-pounds.
UWL returns to action Thursday, January 13 hosting UW-Whitewater at 7 p.m.
