Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant,
mreaker@noctrl.edu
Results
ELMHURST, Ill. (Jan. 12, 2022) - The seventh-ranked North Central College men's wrestling team reigned victorious once again as they soared past Elmhurst University 42-3 Thursday night to hold onto the Battle of the Birds' Nest Trophy for the sixth consecutive year.
Christian Guzman kicked off the Battle of Birds' Nest with a bang as he pinned Owen Brotherton in the 125-pound bout to give the Cardinals an early 6-0 lead. Josh Robison took on Justin Hames in the 133-pound match and would pick up four more points for the Cardinals following a 13-0 major decision win. Joshua Cherba put the Cardinals up 16-0 as he pinned Troy Mock in the 141-pound match before Charles Dojan defeated Zach Kolb by major decision in the 149-pound bout.
Cardinals would head into the 165-pound match with a 27-0 lead following a forfeit win for
Collin Mojena at 157-pounds. In the 165-pound bout,
Jared Gumila battled with Jeff Nugent and kept the Cardinals perfect as he defeated Nugent by 8-5 decision.
Casey Aikman picked up the Cardinals third pin of the night as he defeated Joe Caringella in the 174-pound match to give North Central a commanding 35-0 lead.
Payton Geigner defeated Norbet Crecan by a 12-0 major decision in the 184-pound match before
Elijah Brockie put the Cardinals up 42-0 with an 8-2 decision win over Colin O'Neill. Roberto Pena of Elmhurst would defeat
Max Ness by a 6-0 decision to close out the dual.
The Battle of the Birds' Nest Trophy was created during the 2017-2018 season and the Cardinals have not let it out of their sights, winning the last six meetings between the two schools. With this win the Cardinals have won their 39th consecutive College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) dual meet, their last CCIW loss dates back to the 2016-2017 season where they lost to Elmhurst 20-19 on Jan. 10.
The seventh-ranked Cardinals (9-3) head back to Elmhurst on Saturday for the Al Hanke Invitational. The action is set for 9 am inside R.A. Faganel Hall.
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