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

UW La Crosse Dual
UW Steven's Point Dual
Cornell Dual

LA CROSSE, WIS. (Dec. 3, 2016) – Continuing to fight through their extremely difficult schedule, the North Central College wrestling team went 1-2 at the Candlewood Suites Duals held at Mitchell Hall Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Cardinals began the day matched up against fourth ranked University of Wisconsin La Crosse and the Eagles proved to be too much for the Cardinals, falling 40-6. The lone victor for North Central was at the 149-pound weight class as Ben Williamson was able to pin Kal Gerber to give the Cardinals six points.

The second match against the University of Wisconsin Steven's Point would be much different for the Cardinals, splitting the first two weight classes with the Pointers but rattling off three straight victories at the 141, 149 and 157 weight class. Layten Binion would win in a 20-4 technical fall victory followed by Williamson taking an 8-0 major decision over Joey Heitz. Cameron Hayes would increase the Cardinals lead to 18-3 with his 7-1 decision over Jaden Boivin. The Pointers would respond with a fall at 165 and a decision at 174 to cut the Cardinal lead 18-12. Josh Bouie would take three points after a very close 3-1 decision in the 184 class to increase the lead to 21-12 with two matches remaining. The Pointers would take both of the final matches by decision and the Cardinals would earn their first win of the season by a final of 20-18 after a North Central point deduction.

Match three would matchup the Cardinals against 20^th ranked Cornell College. The Rams would jump out to an early 3-0 lead but Marc Fleenor would answer with a 10-4 decision while Binion defeated 2016 NCAA qualifier Josh Martin 6-5. Williamson and Hayes would earn back to back decisions to give the Cardinals a 12-3 lead but the Pointers took a major decision at 165 to bring the score 12-7. The Rams would take a 13-12 advantage after taking decisions in the 174 and 184 weight class. A pin by the Rams at 197 would put the match out of reach with Cornell taking the heavyweight class as well for a final 22-12

Williamson would be the only Cardinal to go 3-0 on the day, increasing his overall record to 11-3 and 5-1 in dual competition. Binion and Hayes finished the day 2-1.

The Cardinals return home on December 10 as they host the 53^rd Annual North Central College Invitational. Competition is set to begin at 9 am.