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

Springfield College Dual
Concordia University (Wis.) Dual
Olivet College Dual

FORT WAYNE, IND. (Jan. 6, 2017) – Entering competition for the first time in over two weeks, the North Central College wrestling team finished 1-2 in the NWCA National Duals held at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.

The Cardinals began the day matched up against Springfield College but would lose in heartbreaking fashion 23-22 to the Pride. Moe Mitchell would earn the first win for the Cardinals at the 125 weight class, defeating Joel Zambrano in an overtime decision. The pride would take the lead after a 133 major decision but North Central would take the lead back thanks to a 16-4 major decision from Layten Binion and a pin from Ben Williamson. Leading 13-4, the Pride cut the deficit to 13-11 with a pair of wins at 157 and 165 pounds but North Central increased their lead to a commanding 22-11 thanks to a 7-6 decision from Matt Marcotte and an impressive pin from Vincent Pizzo.
Unfortunately, the Pride would use two final pins at 197 and 285 to earn twelve points and take the dual.

North Central would not go quietly as they defeated Concordia University-Wisconsin in the second match 24-16. The Cardinals would take six of the ten weight classes including four of the first five. Mitchell and Michael Bikulcius started the match off with a 10-6 decision followed by a 16-0 technical fall. Despite a pin for Concordia at 141, the Cardinals answered with a pin from Williamson at 149 while Cam Hayes earned a major decision at 157. Leading 18-6, the Falcons put together back to back victories to bring the score to 18-13. The Cardinals would take two of the last three weight classes, both by decision, thanks to efforts of Pizzo and Emonte Logan and take the dual 24-16.

The Cardinals faced a very talented Olivet team who would unfortunately end North Central's time in Fort Wayne after a 27-9 loss. Only Binion, Tyler Vittal and Casey Greenberg would earn decisions for North Central.

Wartburg would win the National Duals with Augsburg finishing second.

The Cardinals return to CCIW competition hosting Elmhurst College on Jan. 10 at 7 pm.