Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, mreaker@noctrl.edu 

Jan. 21, 2022 - The fourth-ranked North Central College men's wrestling team took down Elmhurst University 49-0 and Millikin University 28-15 to win their 31st consecutive College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) dual meet inside Gregory Arena tonight. 

The Cardinals started off the night facing Elmhurst University in the Battle for the Birds Nest Trophy. Julian Valtierrez got the action started with an 18-2 technical fall over Dominic Iannantone in the 125-pound weight class. In the 133-pound weight class, Robert Precin defeated opponent Justin Hames by a 19-3 technical fall putting the Cardinals up 10-0. Javen Estrada would face Ben Leach in a 141-pound weight class bout and just 22 seconds into the match, Estrada would pin Leach extending the Cardinal lead to 16. In the 149-pound weight class, Alex Villar would defeat Zach Kolb by a 23-8 technical fall before Cole Cervantes would give the Cardinals six more points with a win by forfeit. Payton Geigner would take down Joe Caringella by a 15-0 technical fall putting the Cardinals up 32-0. Joseph Jens would win by forfeit in the 174-pound weight class before Jack Hominac would defeat Scott Anderson by a 6-4 decision. In the 197-pound weight class, Cody Baldridge would dominate David Ortiz with a 22-7 technical fall. Jason Nako would complete the shutout, defeating Roberto Pena by an 8-5 decision giving the Cardinals a 49-0 win and their 30th consecutive CCIW dual win. 

The Cardinals faced off against No. 12 Millikin University in the second meet of the night. Millikin got the upperhand in the first match as Coby Haney would defeat Valtierrez by a 4-0 decision giving Millikin an early 3-0 lead. In the 133-pound weight class, Precin faced off against the No. 12 wrestler Zac Blasioli. Precin would defeat Blasioli by a 3-2 decision evening the score at three. Estrada wasted no time once again in his matchup against DJ Millett, Estrada would pin Millett in 29 seconds giving the Cardinals a 9-3 lead heading into the 149-pound match. Villar would defeat Jordan Carson by a 4-0 decision. Cervantes would tally his second win of the night after he threw Peter McCusker to the mat earning himself a pin and giving the Cardinals a commanding 18-3 lead. The No. 2 ranked wrestler, Brandon Birt, would defeat Geigner in the 165-pound weight class, cutting the Cardinal lead to nine. In the 174-pound weight class, Jens would face off against Dejon Glaster. Jens was up 4-2 with seconds remaining on the clock with Glaster close to a take down but Jens would hold him off securing three points for the Cardinals with a 4-2 decision win. In the 184-pound weight class, Micah Downs would pin Hominac putting Millikin down 21-15 with two matches remaining. In the 197-pound weight class, Baldridge would dominate his opponent once again. He would defeat Niles Ager by a 20-8 major decision putting the Cardinals up 25-15. Robby Bates would wrestle in the final match of the night, facing off against Brayan Reyes. Bates would tie the match up while time was expiring, sending the match to overtime. Bates would take down Reyes, securing the 28-15 win for the Cardinals. 


The fourth-ranked Cardinals are back in action tomorrow as they host the CCIW Duals. The matches are set to begin at 10:00 am inside the Residence Hall/ Recreation Center. For live coverage, Click HERE. Only pre-approved home spectators will be allowed inside Gregory Arena. For more information about the North Central attendance policy click HERE.

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