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

Results vs. Concordia
Results vs. Coe
Results vs. Pacific
Results vs. Grand View

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 20, 2009) - The North Central College wrestling team broke even in its trip to Las Vegas on Sunday, coming away with two wins in four matches at the Wartburg College Desert Duals, held in the ballrooms of the Flamingo Hotel.

The ninth-ranked Cardinals opened the day against sixth-ranked Concordia College (Minn.), losing a 20-14 decision, then lost, 30-7, to third-ranked Coe College (Iowa). North Central bounced back with a 35-6 victory over Pacific University (Ore.), then finished with a 19-16 win over Grand View College (Iowa).

The Cardinals stormed to an early lead against Concordia, winning the first three matches. Joe Norton opened with a win by decision at 125 pounds, and Nathan Fitzenreider and Johnny Starzyk followed with major decisions at 133 and 141, respectively.

Concordia, however, won six of the last seven matches to secure the win. Recording North Central's other victory was Gabe Youel, who entered the event ranked fourth in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings at 184. Youel scored a 9-6 victory over Concordia's Phil Moenkedick, who has been ranked first throughout the season.

Fitzenreider came through with another major-decision victory against Coe, but it was one of just two the Cardinals would record against one of the nation's top program. Cowan Brown recorded North Central's second win, prevailing by decision at 174.

Norton kicked off his team's first win of the day with a victory by decision, and #J.T. Rowe followed with a win by technical fall at 133 before Andrew Zobac# won by decision at 141. The Cardinals won each of the past five matches, as Joby Bodi won by decision at 165, Brown picked up a major decision at 174, Youel accepted a forfeit at 184, Vinnie Sapienza prevailed by technical fall at 197, and Rodney Knowlton needed just 1:16 to win by pin at 285.

Norton won another decision against Grand View, and Fitzenreider completed an undefeated day with a third major decision. Starzyk and Zobac added victories by decision at 141 and 149, and Youel and Sapienza each added decisions at 184 and 197.

Fitzenreider is now 20-1 this season, while Youel is 16-1. Youel now has 138 career victories, five shy of the North Central record.

The Cardinals (10-4) compete in the Midlands Championships at Northwestern University on Dec. 29-30.