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Tournament Brackets

Team Standings

Day One Recap

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Mar. 6, 2010) – The North Central College wrestling team closed out its 2009-2010 season Saturday, as two Cardinals finished among the nation's top eight in their respective weight classes at the 2010 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center.

184-pounder Gabe Youel began the day in the championship semifinals against Brennan Ward of Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) Leading, 3-1, heading into the third period, Youel surrendered an escape to cut his lead in half before Ward converted a last-ditch attempt for a takedown and pinned the North Central senior with just two seconds remaining.

The loss dropped Youel into the consolation semifinals against second-seeded Ben Engelland of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The match was tied 3-3 heading into the final period, and Youel, who started the third round in the top position, surrendered an early escape to fall behind. Youel was also assessed a penalty point for stalling with 1:18 remaining and had repeated takedown attempts fended off by Engelland, who secured a 5-3 win.

Youel faced Josh Wake of Oneonta State University (N.Y.) in the fifth-place match. Youel took Wake down 47 seconds into the match and held a 2-0 advantage heading into the second period. He escaped from the bottom position shortly after the second period began to lead 3-0, and the score was unchanged through the end of the round.

Youel was awarded a penalty point with 1:18 left and surrendered an escape with 12 seconds remaining, though he narrowly avoided a takedown shortly thereafter. With an extra point for riding time, Youel closed out the 155th and final victory of his collegiate career with a 5-1 decision.

Youel finishes his collegiate career as a three-time All-American, joining Adam Johnson '08 as the only North Central wrestlers to do so, and is the Cardinals' all-time career leader in both wins and winning percentage (.861).

Johnny Starzyk, meanwhile, began the day in the 141-pound consolation quarterfinals against seventh-seeded Kevin Donahue of Cornell College (Iowa). Leading, 6-1, midway through the second period, Starzyk attempted to pull Donahue across his body and gave up a reversal. Donahue quickly took advantage and pinned Starzyk with 20 seconds remaining in the second period.

The defeat sent Starzyk to the seventh-place match against third-seeded Austin Bautista of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After a scoreless first period, Starzyk began the second period on bottom and quickly escaped, carrying a 1-0 advantage into the third frame. Bautista chose to start the final period in the neutral position and Starzyk needed just 10 seconds to score a single-leg takedown and move ahead, 3-0. Starzyk picked up a bonus point for riding time and finished his season with a 4-0 victory.

The Cardinals totaled 19 points in the team standings, tying for 18th place out of 60 teams. Augsburg College (Minn.) won the team title with 110.5 points.

North Central has now had multiple All-Americans at each of the past five national championships.