Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant,
mreaker@noctrl.edu
Team Scores
Results
Brackets
Wheaton, Ill. (Feb. 10, 2022) - The North Central College men's wrestling team traveled to Wheaton College for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships where the Cardinals took second as a team while having ten place winners and four individual champions.
Millikin University took home the CCIW Championship with 157.5 points followed by North Central with 143 points. Elmhurst and Wheaton were tied for third with 98 points followed by Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) in fifth, Augustana in sixth, MSOE in seventh, Carthage in eighth and Lakeland in ninth.
In the 125-pound weight class, Julian Valtierrez received a bye in the quarterfinals before defeating Augustana's Ellex Williams by sudden victory, putting him into the championship match against Tommy Russell of Millikin. Valtierrez would fall to Russell earning himself second place and All-CCIW honors.
Robert Precin would start the tournament off with a 18-2 technical fall win over Justin Hames of Elmhurst before defeating Trevor Boryla of Augustana by a 14-4 major decision. In the Championship match, Precin would defeat Ethan Harsted of Wheaton College by a 5-3 decision, giving him the 133-pound title and All-CCIW honors.
In the 141-pound weight class, Javen Estrada received a bye in the first round before he earned 17th pin of the season in the quarterfinals against Michael Smith of MSOE. In the semifinals match, Estrada would defeat Ethan Renager of Wheaton by a 5-2 decision putting him in the championship match against the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country, Jimmy McAuliffe. Estrada would fall to McAuliffe by a 6-2 decision earning second place and All-CCIW honors.
Alex Villar would start the tournament by defeating Aleksandar Pejovski of Lakeland by a 12-0 major decision before defeating Zach Kolb of Elmhurst by a 8-0 major decision. In the semifinals match, Villar would pin Alex Cruz of Augustana putting him into the championship match against Lucas Reginer of CUW. Villar would defeat Reginer by a 10-5 decision giving him the 149-pound title and All-CCIW honors.
In the 157-pound weight class, Cole Cervantes would start the tournament off with a 15-4 major decision win over Chase Clark of Augustana before defeating Elmhurst's Ronny Massari by a 13-5 major decision. In the Championship match, Cervantes would face Peter McCusker of Millikin and would fall earning second place and All-CCIW honors.
Payton Geigner placed fourth in the 165-pound weight class. Geigner received a bye in the quarterfinals but would fall in the semifinals to Caele Manley of Wheaton putting him into the consolation semifinals. Geigner would bounce back and defeat Collin Ruiz of Carthage by a 15-3 major decision putting him into the third place match. In the third place match, Geigner would fall to Jeff Nugent.
In the 174-pound weight class, Joseph Jens received a bye in the first round before defeating Joe Caringella of Elmhurst by a 25-9 technical fall. Jens would take on Carson Cook of CUW in the semifinals, Jens would pin Cook putting him into the championship match against Dejon Glaster of Millikin. Jens would fall to Glaster by a 3-2 decision in the championship match, earning second place and All-CCIW honors.
Jack Hominac would place sixth in the 184-pound weight class. Hominac would fall to Scott Anderson of Elmhurst in the quarterfinals before defeating Chad Cowart of Lakeland in the consolation first round. Hominac would fall again to Peyton Smith of CUW putting him in the 5th place match where he would fall to Jacob Kraker of Wheaton.
In the 197-pound weight class, Cody Baldridge would defeat Clay DeBaillie of Augustana by a 19-4 technical fall before defeating Norbert Crecan of Elmhurst by a 19-2 technical fall. Baldridge would face Jackson Punzel of Wheaton in the championship match where he would defeat Punzel by a 7-3 decision taking home the 197-pound title and All-CCIW honors.
In the 285-pound weight class, Robby Bates would pin Noah Nieberle of MSOE in the quarterfinals match. Bates would earn his second pin of the night in the semifinals against David Ortiz of Elmhurst putting him in the Championship match against Brayan Reyes of Millikin. Bates would defeat Reyes in triple overtime taking home the 285-pound title and All-CCIW honors.
Justin Brown was the recipient of the RESPECT Award for North Central this season. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.
The Cardinals are back in action on Feb. 26 and 27 as they travel to Dubuque, Iowa to compete in the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional Championships.
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