Contact: Tyler Friel, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Wartburg Dual
Manchester Dual
UW-Oshkosh Dual

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Dec. 19, 2016) – After falling to the number one ranked team in the nation, the North Central College wrestling team was able to bounce back and finish 2-1 at the Desert Duals held at the Flamingo Casino and Resort on Monday.

The Cardinals toughest competition thus far on the season would come against top-ranked Wartburg College where North Central would be defeated 44-6. Third-ranked Layten Binion would earn a 7-2 decision at 141 while seventh-ranked Ben Williamson shutout his opponent to earn a 6-0 decision at 149. They would be the only two Cardinals to find victories in the opening match.

The two matches to follow would be much more favorable for the Cardinals. North Central won a tight 20-18 dual against Manchester University and ended the day with a 27-15 victory against University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

In the match against Manchester, the Cardinals found themselves in an early 12-3 deficit after three weight classes despite Marc Fleenor's 7-0 decision at 133. North Central took three straight matches by decision to even the score at 12 as Williamson took an 8-1 decision followed by a 7-3 decision from Cameron Hayes. Brandon Mattinen closed out the three victories in a row by defeating Tristan Wilson 4-3. The Cardinals and Manchester split the four remaining matches but thanks to two major decisions at 184 and 197 from Vincent Pizzo and Tyler Vittal, North Central edged the Spartans to earn the victory.

The final matchup would feature the Titans of UW-Oshkosh and would be much more favorable for the Cardinals. Fleenor and Binion each earned pins while Williamson won a 19-0 technical fall. Leading 17-6 after four bouts, the Titans cut the deficit to 17-12 but North Central was determined and closed out the final three of four matches to earn their third win of the season.

Williamson finished the day 3-0 while Binion, Fleenor, Pizzo, and Vittal all finished 2-1.

The Cardinals travel to the NWCA National Duals on January 5 and 6 in Fort Wayne, Ind.