FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Team Scores
Brackets

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. (Jan. 16, 2010) - The North Central College wrestling team sent a delegation comprised mainly of younger competitors to the Manchester College Spartan Mat Classic on Saturday, and the Cardinals came back with a second-place finish in the 18-team event, scoring 137.5 points.

The Cardinals finished behind only Campbellsville University, which totaled 190 points. North Central won two weight classes and finished third in three others.

North Central's first individual championship was claimed at 133 pounds, where J.T. Rowe emerged as the winner. He pinned Campbellsville's DeCorues Leavell in 4:11 in his first match, then needed just 60 seconds to pin top-seeded Tony Lawler of Heidelberg University in the semifinals. Rowe clinched the championship with an 8-7 win over Daphilo Success of Campbellsville in the finals. Rowe was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament for his efforts.

Also placing first was the Cardinals' Vinnie Sapienza at 197. He opened with a 42-second pin of IPFW's Luke Kenworthy in his opening match, then beat Campbellsville's Allen Scruggs by decision, 7-2, before a 14-4 major decision over top-seeded David Wright of Campbellsville in the championship.

Placing third in their respective weight classes were Tim Gingerich at 157, Tyler Wilfley at 165 and Andrew Mendoza at 285.

North Central travels to Elmhurst College for a dual meet on Wednesday. Action is scheduled to get under way at 7 p.m.