'Berg takes Seventh at National Duals

The nationally ranked Heidelberg wrestling team traveled to the heart of collegiate wrestling to take on some of the top competition in NCAA Division III over the weekend. Heidelberg took part in the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals presents by Hibiclens and hosted by the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
 
The Berg topped no. 23 Olivet College 32-13 to finish 3-2 on the weekend and take home seventh place. Olivet and Heidelberg met for the second time on the year, with Olivet taking round one 20-19. The Berg recorded a dominating performance led by three falls and two major decisions to even the series on the year. Recording a fall was Josh Levy (West Liberty, Ohio / West Liberty Salem) (149), Brad Rice (West Jefferson, Ohio / West Jefferson) (197) and Robbie Brubeck (Findlay, Ohio / Findlay) (285), while Jerrad Hoxie (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern) (125) and Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood) (165) each picked up major decisions.
 
Heidelberg opened up action at the national duals with a 22-10 setback to no. 6 Saint John’s University. 141 pounder Boomer Fechko (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) picked up an 11-0 major decision and Curley and heavyweight Tony Carothers (Bloomingdale, Ohio / Harrison Central) rounded out the scoring with decisions.
 
Hoxie opened up the dual with a fall in 2:36 and Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry) added a 20-4 technical fall at 157 pounds to lead the Berg to a 34-4 win over Ohio Northern University. Heidelberg won nine of 10 weight classes in the win.
 
Following its win over the Polar Bears, Heidelberg upset no. 5 Wisconsin-LaCrosse 19-18. Heidelberg opened up winning four of the first five weight classes to jump out to a 15-3 lead. LaCrosse responded winning four of the last five weights classes to tie the score at 18-18. The Berg claimed the victory after earning a criteria point. In a tournament format, following the 10 weight classes, a winner must be determined and it is based on criteria. Starting at the top, the number of pins is recorded by each team. Mizer had a fall in 52 seconds at 157 pounds for the only pin on the day, which led to the eventual ’Berg victory.
 
No. 11 Cornell College (IA) snuck past the Berg 22-15. Brubeck led the way with a fall in 2:03, while Mizer, Curley and Rice each picked up decisions.