Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Results

CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 20, 2018) – In the final non-conference dual of the season, the North Central College wrestling team continued to showcase its talents, defeating its fifth nationally ranked team this season with a win over the No. 23 University of Chicago Maroons on Saturday.

A forfeit at 125 pounds put the Cardinals ahead 6-0 over the Maroons and Marc Fleenor contributed three more with a 10-4 win by decision over Luis Demarco at 133 to extend the lead to 9-0.

The Maroons answered back with three points after Anthony Rink dropped a close 10-8 decision to Chaise Hauck at 141 in overtime. At 149 pounds, Ben Williamson rallied back for North Central, edging out Gage Bayless in a 5-3 decision and Egan Berta battled against Jason Crary to come away with a 5-2 decision at 157 pounds to put North Central ahead 15-3.

Not ready to let North Central run away with the match, Kahlan Lee-Lermer made a statement at 165 pounds, pinning Cameron Hayes at 3:50 to bring the Maroons within six. But Chicago could not maintain that momentum as Matt Marcotte defeated Matt Shoub, 7-3, at 174 pounds to add three points.

The Maroons responded with three more points for their total after Jason Lynch defeated Josh Bouie at 184 pounds with a 1-0 decision.

North Central needed to build on its 18-12 lead to win the match, calling upon Tyler Vittal at 197 to get the job done. Vittal had the opportunity to seal the win for North Central and did just that, pinning Joseph Scheidt at 5:37 and giving the Cardinals the 24-12 advantage going into the 285 match.

Looking to add to his team's score, Audel Ochoa battled against Will Hare to ultimately claim a 2-0 decision and earn North Central a 27-12 victory.

The Cardinals (11-2, 3-0 CCIW) compete at the Wheaton College Pete Wilson Invitational on Friday and Saturday, with matches beginning at 11 am and 9 am, respectively.