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

Whitewater Dual
Harper Dual

WHITEWATER, Wis. (Jan. 21, 2017) – Falling to one of the nation's top ranked teams in UW-Whitewater before dominating their dual against Harper College, the North Central College wrestling team ended their time in Whitewater with a split of their duals Saturday at the Kachel Fieldhouse.

The Cardinals (5-10) knew they were matched up against a talented opponent in the twelfth-ranked Warhawks. The Warhawks opened the dual with a major decision followed by a pin to take an early 10-0 lead. Layten Binion was able to edge out Devin Tortorice by a 3-2 decision at 141 before the Warhawks took four straight matches to earn a commanding 31-3 lead. The Cardinals would fight back and take the final three matches but it would not be enough as North Central finished with a 31-15 defeat. Vincent Pizzo continued his success with a pin in the first round while Tyler Vittal and Emonte Logan answered with back-to-back decisions. Vittal defeated Nick Sundberg 4-1 while Logan finished with a 5-1 final.

The Cardinals did not hold anything back in their second dual of the day, finishing just four points away from a perfect 60. Anthony Rink, Marc Fleenor, Layten Binion, Michael Bikulcius, and Cam Hayes all received wins by forfeit as North Central would not see an actual match until the 165 weight class. Brandon Mattinen earned a 14-3 major decision and Matt Marcotte finished with a 12-4 major against Anton Krocko at 174. Pizzo, Vittal, and Logan would again dominate their competition, all winning their bouts with pins. Pizzo finished off his opponent in the first period while Logan finished in the second and Vittal moments into the third.

The Cardinals travel to Wheaton College for the Pete Wilson Invitational on January 27 and 28. Matches begin on the 27^th at 11 am at King Arena.